OUR little family got its first internal combustion member just a few months ago, so I didn't expect the four year old to get too worked up about a return to the dreaded ways of Dublin Bus.
But a few months is a long time when you're four, and when she climbed the stairs of the cross town No 10 - Ollscoil to Fionnuisce and back it was remarkably like an outing rather than a chore. Who would have thought that examining the pictures outside the National Wax Museum from the top of a bus could be such fun?
Taking in the salubrious southside and some of the northside's grimmer districts, the 10 offers a great chance to "hothouse" your budding sociologist - "Now, love, what difference did you see between Waterloo Road and O'Devaney Gardens?" (The top of the bus is a bit like a hothouse too, but that's another story.) And, when that well runs dry, this grey urban sojourn provides open green spaces at both ends.
While the kids' section of UCD library is inexcusably thin, Belfield al fresco is surprisingly child friendly, right down to sharing a pint and a pineapple juice at the sports centre pub, where you can start psyching her up for the points race. Obviously it can't compare, however, to the Phoenix Park, where the bus leaves "you perched high above the playground in the People's Gardens.
There are other park amusements in easy reach, even if you're trying to wean them off the zoo. Wellington's Monument provide's a death defying climb to the pedestal, and it is the polo season. Then there are the ducks and wondering what Sean Heuston is supposed to be doing with his hand in that statue. You'd easily use up a day.
How to get there: Most No 10s take in Belfield, but some stretch only to Donnybrook - check the label. From there they run through Waterloo Road, Baggot Street O'Connell Street, Berkeley Road the North Circular Road and points between. This means there are any number of spots, from Morehampton Road to Phibsboro, to bail out for chips. On Sunday mornings a small but annoying cluster of 10s only do the northside component of the journey.
Total time taken: We didn't bring a watch. It can be done in under an hour, or when EU foreign ministers are in town you can give it the day.
Frequency: Something of a sore point with No 10 users. Theoretically this is one of the city's most frequent buses, making 70 round trips even on Sunday. Unfortunately, 10s are inclined to travel in groups.
Fare: Each way, end to end, will cost you £1.10 for an adult, 55p for a paying child. Town to the park is £1 per adult.
Journey highlight: For the adult, having unhassled time to listen to a child: "Look Daddy, isn't that a dotey house? Wouldn't you like to live there? Beetle Alert!"
For the child, rolling down the hill to the Phoenix Park playground.
Food: As noted, there are countless junk food options along the way. The shops at the NCR gate to the Phoenix Park are fine for quick picnic purchases, and the park's "tea rooms", a 10 minute trot from the playground, offers tasty, reasonable treats.
Toilets: Hard to find at Belfield; surprisingly well kept right next to the Phoenix Park bus stop. No dedicated changing facilities, but plenty of discreet, bushy spots to look to a baby's needs!
Child's verdict: "Why is the railing Just the right height for me? Why is that seat broken? Why do you have to write about it?"
