La Potiche: a visual celebration of the Seventies

Went to see Potiche yesterday, the last film of the Dublin Film Festival. An absolute visual feast for those who remember the Seventies! Very funny story about a potiche (trophy wife) played by Catherine Deneuve who rises to the challenge when her unreconstructed patriarchal husband has a heart attack.

Little Luas adventure

The morning looked very promising so L and I decided to go on a little outing. The new Luas extension (tram from Dublin city centre) now brings people all the way to Brides Glen through some of the leftover nature on the city's southern flank. We had a bit of trouble finding a walk; you actually need to get off two stops before the end at Laughanstown. Luckily the Luas driver helped us out.

From the station an old country road leads towards the M50 motorway, past a few Irish crosses and a very old abandoned cemetery. This must be where the people from the settlement of Laughan are buried.

Via a new high road bridge we crossed the M50, towards a decidedly rural area; it smelled strongly of cows although we didn't see any. The views are lovely, with the sea to the east and the mountains in the south and while the motorway hums in the background you still get a sense of how far out of the city this once must have been.

We spent about an hour wandering around the fields before heading back by modern public transport towards busier parts of the city.

Ireland must be the only country where election results constitute a spectator sport. We're enjoying at least 3 days of fun before all results of election 2011 will be finalised, because the 'Single Transferable Vote' system involves many rounds of counting. The political landscape is undergoing unprecedented change; will it change much?

Cartoon by Donal Casey.

Blue ceramics

The gorgeous ceramics of Michele Michael - now for sale via her website.

What the books do...

I agree with swiss-miss, it would be so nice to think that this is what my books get up to when I'm not there! Nice music too by Rodrigo y Gabriela, who celebrated their first success here in Dublin.

Tulip on election day

Glorious tulip basking in the sun. After a gray start the day turned out fine - just as well as it's election day in Ireland and we wouldn't want to scare away the voters! This should really be a red rose when I think about it.

Think

A handy reminder on top of the bookcase: think!

Shelf

Looking for inspiration close by: a shelf on the right of my desk, clearly showing my interest (obsession?) with all things map and globe. Some of the books: Map addict by Mike Parker, The island of lost maps by Miles Harvey and Maps of the imagination by Peter Turchi. The plastic ball came from a toy shop; a genuine obsessive doesn't mind the funny looks.