Flew in to Cork yesterday morning.
It was grey, damp and foggy, much like East Anglia. Actually, it was worse. It was so foggy we couldn't see anything until we landed on the runway.
The taxi driver assured me it was perfectly safe. "They only cancel landings when you can't see the car park," he said, pointing at an area shrouded in mist.
Last night, before dinner, we visited a pub overlooking the River Lee. Not for the first time I was impressed by the ingenuity of an Irish landlord.
There were two smoking areas. One was genuinely outside but it had a large well-covered section. There were chairs, large wooden tables and ashtrays throughout.
The other was effectively a room between the pub and the outdoor area. It was warm and completely enclosed, apart from the entrance to the outdoor area.
I'm now on a train, proceeding at a gentle pace to Dublin, and it's really rather pleasant.
I have just been served a freshly made chicken and stuffing sandwich with crisps, baby tomatoes and lettuce (on a plate!) plus a complimentary glass of orange juice - with ice.
I can read the papers, work on my laptop and enjoy the rolling hills and green fields. I believe it's called multitasking.
Once in Dublin I'll get a taxi across town followed by another train to Greystones. Expected time of arrival in one of my favourite places is 5.30pm.
There's a very cosy wine bar directly across the road from the station. You'll find me there at 5.32.