Venice is sinking. These three words, meant literally, are being quickly imbued with hidden meanings, and, as quickly, becoming clichéd. Venice is sinking, literally, because fresh water has been drained from its underground aquifers, leaving parched and contracting sand below the city, and because, each year, global warming raises the high water mark on its glut of crumbling historical mansions. Venice is sinking, metaphorically, below the weight of its own history.
Down to Dublin
Heads aching, eyes burning and skin clammy, Iain and I took a bus from Belfast to Dundalk, far too early in the morning. It was actually ten o’clock, but our agony made the hour feel quite unsuitable for anywhere but bed. Our ailments had arisen from walking down Belfast’s University Road the previous night, and succumbing to the lure of a flyer handed to us on the street. “The Bunker”, it read, “Tuesdays – Student Night: Free Entry”, “Bulmers £1”. Being budget conscious travellers, we were sold.
Bulmers is an Irish cider, to which we had become accustomed in England (at £3 a bottle), where it is known as Magners, under license. A refreshingly crisp apple cider, usually served on ice from its pint sized bottles, it is lethal stuff. Needless to say we had a duty to make use of the give-away price. Continue reading Down to Dublin>>
