I have two reasons to be narked with Taxi drivers this morning. First I got into Dublin airport last night around 21:30, and as usual I went to get a taxi home. But there was a huge queue at the taxi ranks. The taxi co-ordinator advised us that as there was a lot of European soccer on the TV that night, which meant there were less taxis about and they had delays all night! This is bloody typical, but what can you do in this situation?

My second annoyance came after I waited for 10 minutes for my Taxi. Taxi drivers are amongst the most opinionated people in the city and they never shut up in their cars. They are usuaully full of shit as well so I was in the mood for a good debate in the cars. The sort of one where I will make up “facts” just to shoot holes in the guy’s argument. So we started with a discussion of the queues coming out of the airport. And he maintained that a 5 to 10 minute wait was not that much of a problem. I came back with the (true) observation that I have visited loads of Airports around the world and have never had to wait 10 minutes for a taxi, even at the like of London City at 8am on a Monday morning when it is thronged with business men.

And that shut him up. Dead. I didn’t get a word out of the guy again until 25 minutes later when he asked about the turn off to my appartment building. The bugger denied me my fun!

I made it to Italy and back to Munich in the end. What did we do before we got step by step maps from the Internet? It was a long enough journey though. 6 hours each way for the 450km from Munich to Moltrassio on Lake Como. But it’s a great journey, from the northern European plains (and associated overcast weather) over the alps (cold and rain) via the San Bernadino pass, and down to the Italian plains (sun and 26 degrees). The route takes in 5 countries, Italy, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Austria and Germany. How many places in the world can offer such variety in such a small area? The whole journey gave me more of an appreciation for Europe, both as a place and as the political entity that is the EU.

I had four days on Lake Como and I will have to recommend it to anyone that get’s a chance to visit. The place is amazing. It’s not surprising it was used as a backdrop to some of the Star Wars films. Even George Lucas couldn’t dream up a better sight. Photos will follow when I get them out of Laura’s camera. Late September seems to be a good time to visit as well, there are less tourists, but most places are still open for business.

After my trip to Stockholm last week I am back in Munich. The flight was slightly eventful. Our scheduled pilot took ill shortly before the departure time and we were delayed by 45 minutes while the replacement came on board. We had been boarded and were waiting on the plane with the door to the empty cockpit open. So the pilot got a round of applause when he made it on board. On the taxi out to the runway he came on the p.a.:

Pilot: “As the weather here in Dublin is quite windy it will be bumpy for a few minutes after take off but then it will settle down. However the weather in…”
…long pause with laughter from the passengers…
Pilot: “eh, Munich should be much better”

I am on the continent for 9 days this time. On Wednesday I am driving to Lake Como in Italy to meet L who is there on holidays for the week. I’d feel a lot happier about the drive (450km across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy) if I had GPS navigation in the car. But for that I would have to rent a 5 series BMW. That’s not fair

A little later than expected my travels have brought me to Stockholm. This is my first time being here. And it’s the furthest north I have even been – 59.3° N. It’s also the first new country I have visited since Chile in 2001. I need to get out more.

The flight over with SAS was good. There was in flight service. I had forgotten what that was like after months of Aer Lingus. I felt like a Soviet era Aeroflot passenger who gets to travel with a western airline for the first time.

First impressions of this part of the world were of trees. Lots and lots of trees, especially as we flew over Norway. Ireland is pretty much totally denuded of forests, particularly old growth ones. But over Norway and much of Sweden it’s obvious that the forests rule. Even agricultural fields are hewn from the forests that seem to cover much of the country. I have yet to see an Ikea or the majestic moose. A lot of Swedes are fair haired. Enough stereotypes?

I am staying in a Swedish chain hotel in Solentuna a northern suburb of Stockholm. The hotel provides free wireless net access, which is prety good. The Marriott in Munich could learn from these people! I went out for a walk last night through a residential area and down to the local lake. Even though it was a suburban area it was quite beautiful and the ubiquitous trees really added to the scenery. When I was out I found a Sli na Slainte or Halsans Stig as it is known here. It’s nice to see an Irish idea being taken up by other countries. I will bring a camera with me on my walk this evening and I should have some photos tomorrow of the area.

Normally I am more of Futurama person, but I like Family Guy too when I can get it. I have to say I am a fan of Stewie. Both of us hope to rule the world some day.

And I do seem to be closest in character to him:

Which Family Guy character are you?

I have gmail invites coming out my ears at the moment. I guess they are ramping up to the big launch. But if you want one give me a shout.

Be warned that some people have issues with the service!

When I wrote last week I said I was on my 20th trip to Germany. That was a mistake, the 20th is the one I am taking this afternoon. But I have now made 45 flights this year. I would be clocking up the air miles if only Aer Lingus had not gone “low fares” and become really stingy with them. Ah well…

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Last weekend L and I were up in Sligo. We stayed in the very picturesque and almost unspoilt Mullaghmore. While we didn’t manage to make it surfing as we had planned it still was a good weekend. We walked the beach, did the sea weed baths at Strandhill, visited Glencar lake and water fall (made famous by Yeats) and sat out drinking wine on the pier until the small hours. The highlight for me had to be visiting the 5000 year old Carrowmore tombs complex. Unfortunately quarrying in the 19th century has destroyed many of the tombs but the site still is very impressive. The €2 entry fee is laughable for the excellent 45 minute guided tour. Unfortunately there are no photos as Canon have my camera for repairs and after a month they still have not given me an estimate on when or how much it will be to get it fixed.

On the way back to Dublin L and I stopped briefly in Manorhamilton to visit my gandparent’s grave. My cheeky brother described this as being very “romantic” to my father:
Dad: “Why is that”
Kieran: “Wasn’t he showing Laura where she was going to be buried!”

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There have been a few minor updates to the site recently. I have updated my DVD list with some more recent purchases. And I have put up some photos of a family weekend in Limerick.