Of late My Good Self had been neglecting the Phoenix Park.

The deer were wondering where I had disappeared to. My Good Self was missing the chat with them.

I was also in need of some exercise. The Christmas/New Year period had taken its toll.

My visits to the Park usually begin with a short trip on the Luas (tram) red line.

Dublin has two Luas lines, red and green.

For a flavour of middle class Dublin, a nice spin on the green line from Trinity College up through Ranelagh and out past Dundrum is just the ticket.

For a sample of Dublin’s drug problem, just take a trip on the red line.

As well as cutting through some of the less affluent areas of Dublin, the red line also goes close to the courts.

Drugs and courts seem to go together.

Quelle surprise.

Hopping on at the Jervis stop, I alighted at Museum, wandered on down Parkgate Street and then entered through the main gates of the Park.

These days I usually do a lap, which is 11k.

Starting on the Southern side, I gave a friendly wave to the Wellington monument before continuing on to Islandbridge Gate. Moving past the fifteen acres, St. Mary’s Hospital and Chapelizod Gate, I carried on up to Knockmaroon Hill Gate and Farmleigh before crossing the main road, Chesterfield Avenue, to get to the Northern side. At this point in proceedings I was soon drifting interestingly close to the ‘Hole in the wall’ pub. With all my might I resisted the temptation to darken its door. The Zoo was next up on the horizon before I swiftly sped by Garda HQ lest the boys in uniform caught sight of me. My final port of call was the Flower Gardens before landing back at the main gates.

Listening to various podcasts as I went, it a very pleasant way to spend a few hours.

And all of a sudden, I was feeling thirsty.