This is the weekend of the June "bank holiday." I know I've covered bank holidays in the past, but a recap for you Yanks.  In Ireland, the work days off are not in commemoration of anything, just called "bank holidays."  People really take them seriously and don't do anything on these days.  I know last week it was Memorial Day in the States and this kinda corresponds with that, although it's only about 50 degrees here today, so not exactly the beginning of summer.

We have had some good weather, 70's and sunny, this past week.  On Thursday, I walked for over 7 miles by the sea with my friend Mary.  We are "in training" for a 110 km walk we've planned in early September on the Santiago de Compostela in Spain http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago_de_Compostela .  That's about 66 miles we will do over 7 days.  In 2004 Alan and I walked across Holland (63 miles over 5 days), it was harder than I expected although just 10-15 miles a day, but the days got harder and harder as the time went on.  This time I'm working up to it.  One thing I've learned is that one day of 10 miles is not the same as 10 miles on successive days. 

Tuesday will be the final performance of "Dance Across Dublin," the dance performance I've been working on with a troupe of 26 oldsters.  We did one performance in the Hugh Lane Museum, another at the Axis Theatre, another at the Irish Film Institute and this final one in Meeting House Square, the only outdoor venue on the list, hopefully it won't rain.  It's been fun, but a lot of work and I'll be glad when it's over.

Our new digs in Ballsbridge are working out just fine.  It's much closer to the city center and I've been happy with all that we can walk to easily from here.  The biking is better too, plus we have a terrace and the outdoor space is nice.  We are trying to grow tomatoes and a little kitchen garden there, but the weather is really not cooperating.  We've had to take the tomatoes and basil inside.  We're both hoping for one tomato before we leave for the States on July 29th!  If that happens, we will have spent only about 20 Euro (about $25) for it!  Fortunately other investments have been doing better.

We have a visitor next week.  A friend that I worked with at ASAE was supposed to come with her niece but our friend had to cancel and the niece (Dyana) is coming on her own.  She and I will go to Galway the day after she arrives for a train/coach tour of Galway Bay, Connemara, The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher.  It will be a whirlwind tour for Dyana but it will be a great help to me in deciding on what to focus upon when we spend our week in September with friends in a house in Connemara.  Dyana is coming all the way from Oregon and only staying for 5 days!  I feel really responsible for helping her to pack in as much as she possibly can during this short visit.

Set dancing classes on Tuesday have ceased for the summer hiatus, but I've signed up for the Willie Clancy Workshop week in Clare the first week in June.  I'm going on my own, the first time in years that I've traveled for pleasure alone.  I've arranged to stay in someone's house in Milltown Malbay, the place where the annual workshop is held.  Their slogan is "the home of traditional Irish music" http://www.visitmiltownmalbay.ie/ . 

This should be interesting.  All I know about the host is that they are 2 miles from the town and have a room available.  I got the connection from the organizer so I don't think there will be any ax murders happening, but still it will be an adventure.    This is going to be a pretty intense week with instruction from 9 to 1 every day. I'm very much looking forward to it.

So, all in all, a busy time.