Leaving the Angel

Take a train and boat to Dublin for a few days. Despite the fact no passport is required, find myself in a very different country. Even from the open sea, cranes are visible, and evidence of the building boom is everywhere. Lots of things seem better than before, and there certainly seems to be more of everything. Except Bewley’s cafés. Ah, but it all costs more too. Two ladies in Ringsend are scandalised when a half [sorry, a glass!] of Guinness costs over 2 euros. Later a friend wants to meet at a pub off Grafton Street and prices take a sudden hike to nearly 3 euros a glass. Sure, when was it ever different?