{"id":37719,"date":"2023-12-15T09:59:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T09:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/?p=37719"},"modified":"2024-06-19T12:34:42","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T12:34:42","slug":"dublin-weekend-volcanic-eruption-tree-decoration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/2023\/12\/dublin-weekend-volcanic-eruption-tree-decoration\/","title":{"rendered":"Dublin Weekend \/ Volcanic Eruption \/ Tree Decoration"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<em>Photos taken 15 &#8211; 22 December 2023, posted online 19 June 2024.  Pouring rain outside, but did manage to build a &#8220;lid&#8221; for another veggie-box, so now two are covered.<\/em>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finnur had spent the week in Dublin, Ireland, for work.  I decided to use some of that sweet disposable income to join him for the weekend, as I&#8217;d never spent any time in Dublin, just flown in and then driven north (also for work).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A day after we returned, the ground split open an <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2023%E2%80%932024_Sundhn%C3%BAkur_eruptions\">a volcanic eruption began<\/a>.  It would be the first of many.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As Christmas got closer, we put up and decorated a tree, as well as did other bits a bobs to prepare.  Happily, snow came and covered the ground, meaning the days felt a little brighter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Friday 15 December 2023<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_050246868.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_050246868.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37720\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">At Keflavik airport at 5 in the morning (ugh).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_052755061.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_052755061.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37721\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Chain-mail as an area-divider at one of the newish restaurants at the airport.  They keep changing things around there.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_061929193.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_061929193.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37722\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The usual mild chaos at the gate.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_063334707.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_063334707.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37723\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Unusually good closure around the airplane door.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_065306802.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_065306802.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37724\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Winds were high enough to loosen a long bit of wrapping plastic, and it flailed in the wind. Somebody finally showed up to tame it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_072418628.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_072418628.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37725\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Still pitch-dark at 7:30 in the morning.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_091553510.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_091553510.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37726\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Coming in for landing at Dublin.  I&#8217;m pretty sure that&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Malahide\">Malahide<\/a>, where <a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/2017\/05\/work-trip-to-spain-and-ireland\/\">I stayed for one night before flying home on another work-trip<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_092349067.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"496\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_092349067.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37727\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I&#8217;m such a &#8220;graceful&#8221; traveler&#8230;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_093300513.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_093300513.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37728\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Goodbye airplane.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_093406530.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_093406530.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37729\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Irish is weird.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_100319084.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_100319084.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37730\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">During a rather scary taxi ride, where the driver not only scammed me by charging too much to go through a tunnel, but also served himself hot tea in a cup from a thermos, WHILE DRIVING.  I was glad to leave the vehicle in one piece.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_100941502.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_100941502.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37731\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">At my destination.  Now to find Finnur!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_101049433.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_101049433.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37732\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Everything seemed to be under construction.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_101358908.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_101358908.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37733\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Found him, and the most colorful stairs ever!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_111426796.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_111426796.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37734\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">We camped out in a cafeteria with our laptops for a bit, very romantic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_112221222.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"496\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_112221222.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37735\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Out and about, walking to another Google building.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_112750792.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_112750792.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37736\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This Google building (actually, a collection of three buildings, all joined together by a skywalk) had a Wonka display in the atrium, as you do.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_113543861.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_113543861.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37737\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">We went looking for roof access, and this floor number caught my attention.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_113548218.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_113548218.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37738\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Yes, it&#8217;s woven using electrical wires.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_113636030.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_113636030.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37739\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">What&#8217;s going on here&#8230;?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_113640462.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_113640462.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37740\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Oh yes, electrical sockets and switches!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_115438302.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"496\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_115438302.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37741\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">After getting lost a lot, we finally found the roof access!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_115806487.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_115806487.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37742\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Nice flat view!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_120316597.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_120316597.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37743\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Greenery in December, and evidence of heavy construction.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_114119202.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_114119202.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37744\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">We found a cute map.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_120850475.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_120850475.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37745\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lunch at another Google cafeteria was excellent.  I was a lot hungrier than Finnur, having been up well before the crack of dawn!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_130533505.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_130533505.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37746\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Walking to the hotel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_130739300.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_130739300.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37747\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Trees and houses.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_130749875.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_130749875.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37748\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Intersection.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_131147973.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_131147973.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37749\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bow-tied dog-statues!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_131250224.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_131250224.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37750\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/St_Mary%27s_Church,_Haddington_Road,_Dublin\">St Mary&#8217;s Church<\/a>, weirdly lopsided.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_131619010.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_131619010.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37751\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Our hotel, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripadvisor.com\/Hotel_Review-g186605-d601516-Reviews-Dylan_Hotel-Dublin_County_Dublin.html\">The Dylon<\/a>.  It was quite swanky, but within Finnur&#8217;s travel budget rules.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_131829377.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_131829377.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37752\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A pretty room.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_131849639.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_131849639.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37753\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Nice bathroom.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_131959766.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_131959766.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37754\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The view out of the left window.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_132011215.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_132011215.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37755\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The view out of the right window.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_164113891.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_164113891.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37756\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I went out for a bit of a stroll in the late afternoon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_164221552.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_164221552.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37757\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The &#8220;main&#8221; street in the area we were in.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_164307612.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_164307612.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37758\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I may or may not have been scouting for coffee shops for the following morning.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_164703296.NIGHT_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_164703296.NIGHT_.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37759\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Found a canal in the twilight.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_164858020.NIGHT_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_164858020.NIGHT_.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37760\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The other side.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_165245228.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_165245228.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37761\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">We&#8217;d managed to book a dinner-table online, but very late, so I drifted by the place and managed to move the reservation forward a bit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_202639321.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_202639321.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37762\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Always absurdly happy to get food!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Saturday 16 December 2023<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_103818324.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_103818324.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37763\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">At a coffee shop the following morning.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_115905575.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_115905575.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37764\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Walking back to the hotel via a back-alley of sorts.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_120018428.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_120018428.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37765\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This unassuming hole in the wall had been packed with people the night before.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_124739415.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_124739415.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37766\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">We decided to walk downtown.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_125527792.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_125527792.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37767\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Found an important looking statue, called the &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wolfe_Tone\">Wolfe Tone Sculpture<\/a>&#8220;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_125535644.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_125535644.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37768\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sure enough, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wolfe_Tone\">Wolfe Tone<\/a>, from 1763-1798.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_125711455.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_125711455.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37769\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Apparently red bows are associated with Christmas in Ireland.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_125941548.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_125941548.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37770\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">We wandered into <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/St_Stephen%27s_Green\">St Stephen&#8217;s Green park<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_130158802.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_130158802.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37771\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The seagulls were not afraid of people.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_130305566.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"496\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_130305566.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37772\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Selfie-time!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_130321595.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_130321595.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37773\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The actual green.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_130555105.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_130555105.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37774\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">At the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fusiliers%27_Arch\">Fusiliers&#8217; Arch<\/a>, a &#8220;1907 arch at park entrance erected in honor of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who died at war.&#8221;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_130820195.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_130820195.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37775\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The arch marks the start of the main shopping district\/street.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_130921875.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_130921875.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37776\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A storm trooper and a mariachi band?!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_131014647.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_131014647.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37777\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">As this was sort of the last weekend before Christmas (ours starts on 24 December), the street was packed with people.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_131456246.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_131456246.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37778\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Finnur decided to revisit a pub he&#8217;d been taken to, to get some lunch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_131658229.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_131658229.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37779\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Interesting wall-paper in the stairwell.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_132148706.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_132148706.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37780\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The story behind the name <a href=\"https:\/\/thehairylemon.ie\/\">Hairy Lemon<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_134359761.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_134359761.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37781\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sausage-happy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_134402275.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_134402275.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37782\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Chowder and some excellent rye-bread.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_141532399.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_141532399.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37783\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Walking past a 5-star hotel.  I wonder if the person getting out was a &#8220;somebody&#8221;?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_142646040.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_142646040.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37784\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">There were buskers placed at regular intervals.  They seemed to all have displayed licenses and time-slots to be where they were.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_145012717.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_145012717.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37785\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">At the entrance to <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Trinity_College_Dublin\">Trinity College<\/a>, where we&#8217;d booked a guided tour.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_145357412.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_145357412.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37786\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The entrance is there at the top.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_145203191.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_145203191.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37787\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Somebody was getting married!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_145237096.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_145237096.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37788\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">That tower in the middle of the courtyard was the meeting point.  Apparently it is bad luck for students to walk under it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_150049517.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_150049517.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37789\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Our guide had just finished his finals (medicine) and he talked very very very fast.  I&#8217;d forgotten that&#8217;s what the Irish do.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_151140912.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_151140912.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37790\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Once my ear-brain filters re-tuned to mostly understand the flood of words, he had a lot of fun stories to tell.  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_151635940.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_151635940.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37791\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Even this tree had a story (I think).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_152212981.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_152212981.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37792\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">By the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Museum_Building_(Trinity_College_Dublin)\">Museum Building<\/a>, where the masons pulled all sorts of hijinks!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_152407051.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_152407051.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37793\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">There are things up there that you wouldn&#8217;t expect.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_152815969.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_152815969.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37794\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">We got to enter the building (it was the only building we entered), and this is the foyer.  Those are ex-Irish animals.  The building is home to the university&#8217;s Geology, Geography, Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering departments.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_152736414.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_152736414.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37795\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Quite stunning!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_152756611.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_152756611.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37796\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">You just wanted to lie down on the floor to drink it all in with your eyes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_152913916.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_152913916.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37797\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The columns all have different types of stone covers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_152940568.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_152940568.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37798\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Some civil engineering on display.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_153121001.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_153121001.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37799\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The different types of rocks present.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_153500223.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_153500223.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37801\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Leaving the Museum Building.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_153328976.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_153328976.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37800\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In the <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/FqctTnpucSfWQLd77\">Rose Garden<\/a>, but I vaguely recall that those benches are often used for dumping people?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_153525341.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_153525341.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37802\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Looking over <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/College_Park,_Dublin\">College Park<\/a>.  If the weather had been nicer, there would have been students frolicking, and some playing cricket.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_154429706.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_154429706.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37803\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The tour ended at the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sphere_Within_Sphere\">Sphere within sphere<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_155640097.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_155640097.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37804\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Included in the tour was entrance to the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Book_of_Kells\">Book of Kells<\/a> exhibition.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_155036853.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_155036853.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37805\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">It was loaded with information.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_155050423.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_155050423.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37806\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Markings have meaning.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_155634993.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_155634993.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37807\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">There were lots of blown up photos from the book.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_155824570.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_155824570.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37808\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pigments.  The book is quite colorful.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_161410975.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_161410975.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37809\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">So. Much. Detail!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_161306089.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_161306089.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37810\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">It just went on and on and on.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_161925754.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_161925754.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37811\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Inside this chamber was a single glass box, with a page (or the book open to a page?  I can&#8217;t recall).  That was all, and then you walked up stairs to the second floor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_162635882.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_162635882.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37812\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The entrance to the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Library_of_Trinity_College_Dublin\">library in Long Room<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_162328923.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_162328923.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37813\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">It is in fact, a long room.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_162506114.NIGHT_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_162506114.NIGHT_.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37814\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">There were a few books around, but the vast majority had been taken away to be cleaned and categorized.  A new home was being built for them.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_163911821.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_163911821.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37815\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">There were short videos running showing the process they were putting the books through.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_163248104.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_163248104.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37816\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Other <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Proclamation_of_the_Irish_Republic\">treasures, this one was from 1916<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_164316709.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_164316709.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37817\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">There were multiple displays of books that have hidden art when you look at them just so.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_164428216.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_164428216.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37818\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">You can see hints of the picture hidden on the page-edges.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_164641940.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_164641940.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37819\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Somebody had noticed the paucity of women.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_165039003.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_165039003.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37820\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Finnur by the box that contains the harp that&#8217;s mirrored on the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Guinness\">Guinness logo<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_165133547.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_165133547.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37821\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Trinity_College_harp\">It&#8217;s real<\/a>!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_165322586.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_165322586.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37822\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Intricate carvings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_165449277.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_165449277.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37823\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Of course the was a gift store on the lower level, as you exited.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_165453441.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_165453441.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37824\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tempting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_165618647.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_165618647.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37825\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Not tempting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_170159953.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_170159953.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37826\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Outside it was dark.  It was time to head to the hotel again.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_170451339.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_170451339.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37827\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The shopping street was still full of people.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_172049338.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_172049338.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37828\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Festive mall decorations.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_173549852.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_173549852.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37829\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I guess you can sell anything these days!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_174123869.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_174123869.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37830\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The horses were doing brisk business.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_203327996.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_203327996.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37831\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Heading out to dinner.  The elevator area at the hotel was&#8230; interesting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_204820004.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_204820004.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37832\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cocktail time!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_205721917.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_205721917.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37833\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">It took a while to find the entrance, as the restaurant was hidden in the basement.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_213559527.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231216_213559527.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37834\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Excellent food!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Sunday 17 December 2023<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_075116614.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_075116614.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37835\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">We left the hotel at 8 in the morning.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_080314495.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_080314495.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37836\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The taxi driver was great, he pointed out some sights, and even played song by a local hero.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_082411274.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_082411274.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37837\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I was only traveling with hand luggage, so I left Finnur in line to check in his bag, and scouted up ahead for a place to eat.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_090953475.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_090953475.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37838\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">More festivities!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_091203922.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_091203922.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37839\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Avocado and bacon?  Sure!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_103504572.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_103504572.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37840\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">About to embark around 10:30.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_104345724.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"496\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_104345724.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37841\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Both accounted for!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_112132626.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_112132626.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37842\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Very Irish.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_130845188.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_130845188.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37843\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Westman Islands, off of the south coast of Iceland.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_132013033.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_132013033.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37844\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The aluminum smelter outside of Hafnarfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur, on the left.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_132602833.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_132602833.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37845\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Coming in for landing&#8230;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_172910638.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231217_172910638.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37846\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8230; and then we drove straight to a birthday party!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Monday 18 December 2023<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231218_232922561.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231218_232922561.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37847\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">That evening, the ground finally tore open, and a massive fountain of lava spewed up into the air.  It had been just over a month since a massive amount of lava moved underground on 10 November, tearing apart the ground under the town of <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Grindav%C3%ADk\">Grindav\u00edk<\/a>.  It was the start of <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2023%E2%80%932024_Sundhn%C3%BAkur_eruptions\">a series of eruptions<\/a>, the first few only lasted about a day, but the more recent ones have percolated for longer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231218_235451431.NIGHT_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231218_235451431.NIGHT_.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37848\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Weather conditions were such that we could see the red glow from our backyard.  That was so far they only time that&#8217;s happened.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231219_000110009.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231219_000110009.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37849\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The location of the crack, around midnight.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Tuesday 19 December 2023<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231219_083932831.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231219_083932831.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37850\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Walked into the gym and was greeted by my brother&#8217;s face, again.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231219_111243678.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231219_111243678.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37851\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The view at work.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231219_173023551.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231219_173023551.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37852\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Snow!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231219_201139595.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231219_201139595.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37853\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">My new &#8220;bird table&#8221; arrived in the mail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231219_205046161.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231219_205046161.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37854\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I added some extra screws to try and make it last longer than the last one.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231219_210023737.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231219_210023737.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37855\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emma working on a holographic jigsaw puzzle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Wednesday 20 December 2023<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231220_150917636.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231220_150917636.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37856\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Everybody at work brought a sweet something to share.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231220_210114500.NIGHT_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231220_210114500.NIGHT_.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37857\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The tree-installation-crew hard at work.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Thursday 21 December 2023<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_2551.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"440\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_2551.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37858\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tree-decoration time!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_2549.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"440\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_2549.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37859\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lights glinting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_2557.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"440\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_2557.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37860\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Decoration action.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231221_163626090.NIGHT_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"494\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231221_163626090.NIGHT_.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37861\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lights are fun.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231221_211611920.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231221_211611920.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37862\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I took Bjarki out to have him practice driving up and down hills in the snow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Friday 22 December 2023<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231222_145641297.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231222_145641297.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37863\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The world at 3 in the afternoon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231222_145632286.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231222_145632286.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37864\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">It was frozen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231222_172039704.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"496\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231222_172039704.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37865\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ho-ho-ho practice at the gym!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231222_211257789.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231222_211257789.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37866\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emma waiting for more presents to appear under the tree?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231222_211304572.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231222_211304572.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37867\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ginger-bread dough, ready for the fridge!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[<em>Photos taken 15 &#8211; 22 December 2023, posted online 19 June 2024.  Pouring rain outside, but did manage to build a &#8220;lid&#8221; for another veggie-box, so now two are covered.<\/em>]<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finnur had spent the week in Dublin, Ireland, for work.  I decided to use some of that sweet disposable income to join him for the weekend, as I&#8217;d never spent any time in Dublin, just flown in and then driven north (also for work).<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A day after we returned, the ground split open an <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2023%E2%80%932024_Sundhn%C3%BAkur_eruptions\">a volcanic eruption began<\/a>.  It would be the first of many.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As Christmas got closer, we put up and decorated a tree, as well as did other bits a bobs to prepare.  Happily, snow came and covered the ground, meaning the days felt a little brighter.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Friday 15 December 2023<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_050246868.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/PXL_20231215_050246868.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37720\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">At Keflavik airport at 5 in the morning (ugh).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/2023\/12\/dublin-weekend-volcanic-eruption-tree-decoration\/\" title=\"Read More\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[158,18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37719","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ireland","category-us","post-container col-md-12"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37719","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37719"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37719\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37868,"href":"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37719\/revisions\/37868"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37719"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37719"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hrefna.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37719"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}