Although dad had just had shoulder surgery a few weeks previously, he made the trek across the pond to check out my new home in Nottingham. We spent a couple of days visiting the popular tourists spots e.g. Ye
Ol Trip to Jerusalem, Pitcher and Piano, and a delicious meal at Hart's (always a top runner for Nottingham's best restaurants). I rented a car and had my first attempt at driving on the wrong side of the road. We drove out to
Langar for lunch in the countryside. I wouldn't say that I'm exactly a natural when it comes to driving, so the added complication of round abouts and a left sided stick shift did not help my cause. I know my dad was thankful that the 12 mile drive to the countryside and back was all he had to survive with me behind the wheel.
After we exhausted entertainment options in Nottingham, we
hopped on the ever-so-comfortable Ryan air flight from East Midlands to Dublin. I don't think my dad was impressed with the plastic seats that are sized perfectly for small children or adults under 5'4 and 110 lbs., and loud advertisements that Ryan Air is so famous for. He was amused (and I bet secretly impressed) by the plastic pouches of alcohol that I received upon ordering a rum and coke! The £5 flight was worth every pence and we quickly arrived in Dublin to explore the Jameson and Guinness factory. We hit the lively Temple Bar area and discovered a great pub (
Sullivan's) with live music.
Brian Brody, the singer/guitarist even obliged to our John Denver request and did an excellent rendition of
Rocky Mountain High. Despite hovering around his 60
th year of life, my dad still charmed a group of young women with his kindness and conversation. We had a great night in the pub and felt completely immersed in Irish culture. We
diversified beyond the drinking theme to walk around the city and view the
beautiful Trinity campus and other sights around the city.
My dad couldn't be less than an hour from one of the world's best golf courses and not sneak a trip to view it, so we hopped over to K Club and enjoyed an overpriced lunch (at the 'snack bar'!) with the beautiful green setting surrounding us.
Although dad had just had shoulder surgery a few weeks previously, he made the trek across the pond to check out my new home in Nottingham. We spent a couple of days visiting the popular tourists spots e.g. Ye Ol Trip to Jerusalem, Pitcher and Piano, and a delicious meal at Hart's (always a top runner for Nottingham's best restaurants). I rented a car and had my first attempt at driving on the wrong side of the road. We drove out to Langar for lunch in the countryside. I wouldn't say that I'm exactly a natural when it comes to driving, so the added complication of round abouts and a left sided stick shift did not help my cause. I know my dad was thankful that the 12 mile drive to the countryside and back was all he had to survive with me behind the wheel. 
After we exhausted entertainment options in Nottingham, we 
hopped on the ever-so-comfortable Ryan air flight from East Midlands to Dublin. I don't think my dad was impressed with the plastic seats that are sized perfectly for small children or adults under 5'4 and 110 lbs., and loud advertisements that Ryan Air is so famous for. He was amused (and I bet secretly impressed) by the plastic pouches of alcohol that I received upon ordering a rum and coke! The £5 flight was worth every pence and we quickly arrived in Dublin to explore the Jameson and Guinness factory. We hit the lively Temple Bar area and discovered a great pub (Sullivan's) with live music. 
Brian Brody, the singer/guitarist even obliged to our John Denver request and did an excellent rendition of Rocky Mountain High. Despite hovering around his 60th year of life, my dad still charmed a group of young women with his kindness and conversation. We had a great night in the pub and felt completely immersed in Irish culture. We diversified beyond the drinking theme to walk around the city and view the beautiful Trinity campus and other sights around the city.
My dad couldn't be less than an hour from one of the world's best golf courses and not sneak a trip to view it, so we hopped over to K Club and enjoyed an overpriced lunch (at the 'snack bar'!) with the beautiful green setting surrounding us.
