77th birthday

My old mum's 77th birthday today and New Zealand's national day too. A cashmere jumper as a gift on the day but we are taking her to Rome for a five days holiday in April as her real prezzie. before that Mike and I go with friends to Dublin for a few days to watch some rugby where I suspect Scotland will be hammered: I hope it doesn't rain. Every time I have visited Dublin it has poured and consequently I have a poor impression of the place - add an anticipated thumping at the game, no great fondness for Guiness and you can see I am full of enthusiasm...Rome, on the other hand...