Being 30

Turned 30 on Saturday there. Nothing drastic has happened so far. No eruption of wrinkles and grey hair (no more than usual anyway). Saying that - I've been suffering from some strange aches and pains throughout the body which I originally thought to be some kind of flu but nothing nasal has happened so I'm a bit puzzled about that one. Maybe it's just old age?! Is that what happens when you turn 30?! You start to ache all over?!

Great to see the majority of the family on Friday night. Mum put on another fantastic buffet! Thanks to all those that sent cards and gifts. All greatly appreciated. Tricia even wrote me a poem (I'll put that up on here later!).

Flew over to Dublin for the birthday and stayed at a rather swanky 4 star hotel called The Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire, a short 25 minutes train journey from the city centre. It had all been organised in secret by the lovely Kelly-Ann and it had all been planned down to a T. Good to see Dublin. Had only ever been once for a day trip when I ferried over from Wales with the family. I think we travelled from Pembroke that time...anyway, it was good to have more than 5 hours in the fair city. We crossed the River Liffey from Tara Street station and started wandering up O'Connell Street and spotted one of the City Guide buses. Clambering on we were immediately faced with our guide - a welcoming, friendly old irish gent with a penchant for singing and trying to make his passengers sing! We chose our seats in the roofed area of the upper deck inbetween a bunch of Austrailians and Liverpudlians and made our way round the city learning about Trinity College, Christ Church Cathedral, Molly Malone, Saint Patricks Cathedral, the Guinness Factory and Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol and, of course, Temple Bar where we later walked, tasting the Guinness and enjoying the Irish pubs' atmosphere. Trinity College wiould have been a good place to visit if I'd had the time. The likes of James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker had all studied in the large University opposite the old Irish Houses of Parliament. We were only in the city centre for the one day though and wanted to see as much as possible so had to move on. Had a great time though and a more relaxing day on the monday enjoying the sauna and jacuzzi of the Royal Marine Hotel. Quite impressed with Aer Lingus too. Had to be the easiest plane journeys I'd ever experienced (not counting the fact we were only in the air for 50 odd minutes!).

So in all, not a bad weekend. Will need to get back to the gym now though!