It’s been a long looooong day and I am totally and utterly pooped.

We walked our little feet off for six hours in the concrete jungle of Dublin city. In the pouring rain. With a crappy little umbrella that blew apart after five minutes (and there wasn’t even any wind!).

3FE was our first port of call, a thriving, funky artisan cafe just ten minutes from our Air B&B, where we indulged in exquisite cofee, creamy mushrooms, poached eggs and avocados.

I nearly choked on my sourdough toast when I realized our miniscule coffees cost €3.50 each.

It was damn good though and if I was a latte-drinking, Michael Kors-wearing, Audi-driving, Dublin yuppy, I’d come here everyday.

Given that I am a Dunnes Stores-wearing, 18 yr old Toyota Yaris-driving, Corkonian-on-a-budget…. I chalked it down as a rare treat.

We headed back into the constant drizzle and reached Stephen’s Green shopping center utterly sodden.

Despite the miserable weather, there was the usual buzz and energy about the city, and we ended our wanderings by visiting the Atrium, home to numerous jewellery stores selling anything from outrageous vintage pieces to the popular Instagram brands, various other beautiful craft and designer stores and a spacious, bustling groundfloor cafe, complete with live piano music.

I could feel myself soaking up the atmosphere like a sponge. After so long living in small, sweet Cork, I felt like I’d just met her wild cousin from overseas, full of unusual and fascinating stories and enough energy to charge, well, a city.

Perhaps it’s time for a move. Then again, with the monthly price of rent and coffee in Dublin exceeding what I’d earn in a year, perhaps not.

Right now however, it’s time to feed my rumbling belly – in a bid to compensate for the extortionate brunch we ate earlier, I haven’t had a proper meal in about six hours and I can feel ‘Cranky Liz’ beginning to wake up; better feed the beast quick.

Ciao darlings!

Lizzie xxxx