Cardinal Points Aplenty: Into the West

Originally published en route over 3 3G network
On the early train from Heuston to Galway this morning. It’s a dry day, but not the brightest.
Fingers crossed for a pleasant appearance in Galway. I have not been here since 1991. Remember fondly the advice to hit the Quays and finding accommodation in a convent school during the Galway Music Festival. As I recall, Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves had come out and was showing at the cinema. Went out, found the theatre and when the mercenary ‘celts’ (when I think of historical realism I always value the Costner touch came over the hill to attack the merry band…the whole audience cheered.
So far a very flat trip outwards. Sedate and a time for pleasant reflection. Transported by lovely notes from border crossings in Cyprus.
Arrival in Galway to greyish skies, but greeted warmly by Bruno, our man in Galway. Tucking into the Quays, we enjoyed some absolutely stunningly fresh and tasty oysters. The skies cleared as we got a chance to wander about thew town. Galway has grown up much since I was last here and it has a very, very European feel to it. Almost a central European feel. The core is full of wide cobblestoned pedestrian roadways and features an amazing variety of shops, bars and restaurants. Its a wonderful stroll and far more charmingly European than Temple Bar.
The Corrib river also featured very strongly. It was a raging river right through town. The sheer power of the rush of water was quite spectacular.
The sun has now come out fully as we journey back to Dublin. The waiting train for the return is one of the old orange bone-shakers. We did well the way out in one the new modern intercity railsets. The Diesel powered one for the return sat belching smoke in the train shed, the ventilation system, not quite keeping up. The exhaust gathered in the rafters, leaving one top wonder wether they actually had opened the presumed louvers in the roof. Created a rather old world sort of experience.
All in all a very nice trip. Galway scores high. Pity about the hurling juniors.