Leonard Cohen, Dublin

We browse the shops and drink tea in Dublin's city centre before dropping off our overnight bags to the Clarion hotel. Later the concert is held just a stone's throw away, at The O2 arena (where The Point concert hall originally stood).

The Spire, O'Connell Street

O2 Arena, Dublin

Empty seats in front, one will soon filled by Bertie Ahern

There is a crack in everything

That is how the light gets in (Leonard Cohen)

Leonard Cohen begins the show on his knees, taking his hat off and bowing after every song.His voice sounds rich, deep and gravelly, the musicians & backing vocalists are outstanding. Leonard waltzes, twinkles and skips around the stage.

Mum and I share a love of his growling poetry and pleasing face, we agree his "second rate physique" is not too unpleasing. "We love you Leonard!", one lady shrieks.

The Famous Blue Raincoat

Click here for The Future video from July 23rd

He reads the poem, 'One thousand kisses deep' which is touching and powerful. He sings every song from the album, "The Essential Leonard Cohen". After three hours of entertainment at the highest standard, he bids us farewel - hoping we are surrounded by loved-ones and if not, wishing us peace in our solitude.

Leonard says goodnight

We return to the hotel bar for gin, tonic and post-concert analysis. Mum went to see Leonard perform at the Albert Hall in 1970, regarding it as the best concert she had ever attended - until tonight! She is delighted that he has exceeded her expectations once more. I agree, this has been a wonderful evening. Happy and satisfied we retire to bed.

Next morning, the sun is shining. We pass the Jeanie Johnson (replica of 19th century sailing ship) and the Famine memorial on the way into 'town'.

Jeanie Johnson

The National Famine Memorial

These statues commemorate the Great Famine of the mid 19th century when one million Irish people died as a result of starvation and disease, and one million people emigrated overseas.

Haunting & harrowing sculptures
Located in the Docklands, alongside the River Liffey

Samuel Beckett bridge (due for completion at the end of 2009)

For lunch we find nourishment at one of my favorites, The Winding Stair - a Michelin award winning restaurant based on Ormond Quay.

Traditional Irish recipes with a modern & organic twist

We board the bus, reading Leonard's poetry and humming 'Take this waltz' all the way home!

Happy Birthday, Mum!

The end of my travels intentionally corresponds with my Mum's 60th birthday (I'm sure she won't mind me telling her age, she certainly doesn't look it!). Delighted to be home in Sligo, I bring her up breakfast-in-bed at the break of dawn so that she is fuelled for another day of her financial accounting course. Thank goodness she is occupied for the day, it gives me time to ensure that all is in order for her surprise birthday party. This is something I have been planning for a while, in fact, ideas were beginning to crystallise when I was in Argentina six months ago. I am so excited, it is really hard to keep it a secret, especially during the final hours!

Mum gets back from her course. I tell her that I am popping down to see my friend Róisín and wish her a nice evening. Of course, I've got my glad-rags in my handbag along with heels, confetti & party poppers. Mervian picks me up from around the corner, she is bursting with excitement like myself. She has been a fantastic support over the past few months (and always!), doing the run-around while I shout orders from another continent!

Breda is working her magic by inviting Mum out for dinner at 8 o' clock. Upon pick-up she informs Mother that first it is necessary to collect Rod (her partner) out in Strandhill after his game of golf. Hmm, all sounds plausible.

At the venue, I am thrilled to see familiar faces arriving. I have butterflies in my tummy, giddy at the thought that my Mum has no idea! Irina and I dash around filling glasses and sprinkling little drops of stardust on all the tables. Next we get the nod from Rod, 'she's close, less than 5 minutes'. 'AAargh!'We all shriek and giggle! Right Vinnie, you are on the lights. Kevin, are you ready with the music? Has everyone got their poppers ready? On the count of three...one..... two (there is a shadow under the door).... three..........SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!

And her face? Priceless!!

Oh my GOD!!!

Mum then proceeds to go through a series of emotions. Shock, wonder, excitement, delight and gratitude. She really had no idea that there would be a party. She had no idea that she would see (almost all of) her nearest and dearest in one room. Modest as ever, she couldn't believe the 'fuss' that everyone had gone to! She was in such shock when she walked through those doors that she actually (subconsciously) pinched my auntie Olivia's arm, leaving a bruise! It is as if to say 'are you real? Is this really happening?'!!

The party is fabulously fun! We chat, dance, eat and drink, and then dance some more. It is exactly how parties should be - a joyous event where everyone is having fun and laughter fills the room. We dance until our faces glow red and the music stops.

Mum has been thanking me every day since, but really the party was my way of thanking her - for being the warm, consistent, loving, adventurous and inspirational Mum that she is.

I've been doing lots of yoga over the past few months and one of the poses (asanas) is called 'extended mountain pose'. It is not difficult, and basically involved standing legs hip-width apart, arms stretched high and wide above one's head, eyes wide-open looking up at the sky. One day in Central America a teacher asked us to visualise the following:

Imagine the soles of your feet connected to the soils of the earth, keeping you grounded and connected to Mother Nature. Imagine your feet growing roots, keeping you stable and strong. Standing tall and proud, you are a tree extending upwards, heart open, reaching up to the skies. You are open to all possibilities, you believe all your dreams will come true and that there are no limitations. Inside your heart, there is a centre of light, from here you can beam your light and love out to the world.

I thought of my Mum when I heard this visualisation, and now every time I do this pose I think of my her - strong and rooted in practicality but yet always believing in the endless possibilities of life and always lighting my way with her wisdom.

So, happy birthday Mum! I wish you health, happiness and peace. Thank YOU for everything.

Chelsea Physic Garden, London

During my two-week stopover in London, I visit the Chelsea Physic Garden. Situated in the heart of London, this 'Secret Garden' is described on the information booklet as 'a centre of education, beauty and relaxation'. Founded in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, it continues to research the properties, origins and conservation of over 5000 species. The garden has somewhat unusual opening hours which makes it more challenging to visit, especially if one is working.

The Blue Plaque (one of over 700 in London identifying places where famous & distinguished folks have lived or worked - see Nick Rennison's The London Blue Plaque Guide)

An impression made in Victorian times of the 'demonstration' of medicinal plants in the Chelsea Physic Garden

The Chelsea Physic Garden was founded in 1673, as the Apothecaries' Garden, with the purpose of training apprentices in identifying plants. The location was chosen as the proximity to the river created a warmer microclimate allowing the survival of many non-native plants - such as the largest outdoor fruiting olive tree in Britain - and more importantly, to allow plants to survive harsh British winters. The river was also important as a transport route that linked the garden to other open spaces such as Putney Heath, facilitating easy movements of both plants and botanists.

I imagine one of these chopped up in my dinner..

In 1876 the Garden enlarged its educational aspirations by deciding to run a lecture course for young women who were training as botany teachers. At the end of the 19th century the trustees of the City Parochial Foundation agreed to take over the running of the Garden from the Society of Apothecaries. In 1983 The Garden became a registered charity and open to the general public for the first time.

Agapanthus

The Chelsea Physic Garden has developed a major role in public education focusing on the renewed interest in natural medicine. The Garden of World Medicine which is Britain's first garden of ethnobotany (or the study of the botany of different ethnic groups and indigenous peoples) is laid out together with a new Pharmaceutical Garden.

The Garden of World Medicine is an ethnobotanical display that demonstrates the uses of plants by a wide variety of peoples. Here you will find plants used medicinally by the North American Indians, the Maori from New Zealand, Australian Aboriginals, Chinese, in temperate parts of India (Ayurvedic medicine), by tribal peoples of Southern Africa as well as in our own folk traditions of Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. This is not a garden of proven medical remedies, rather one that looks at the uses of plants for medicinal purposes within each culture concerned and their own views about what constitutes healing. However, in each bed you will find a plant which has been taken up and proved effective by controlled medical trials. For me, this is the most fascinating section of the garden.

Currently undergoing research as a possible treatment for cancer & HIV

There is a beautiful cafe with wonderful-looking salads, fresh lemonade and other exciting delights. I am feeling a little naughty, deciding to sample the orange and polenta cake served with crème fraîche. Delicious! Looking around, I appear to be the youngest visitor by about fifty years!

Guilty pleasures

Afterwards, I sit on the lawn and read a book in the sunshine - all in all, a very pleasant afternoon!