Lovely.

Happy New Year everyone! Most of you are probably heading back to work today, and we feel for you. However, sure isn't it Thursday already? The weekend is on the horizon. And according to Met Eireann, we're in for a rather pleasant one. And by pleasant, I mean mild and dry - perfect walking weather. The forecast for the rest of the week reads: "Today will be mild and blustery. Rain will develop in the west early this morning and spread eastwards across the country. Brighter weather will follow for a time. But further outbreaks of showery rain will spread from the west this afternoon and evening. Highest temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees with fresh to strong, gusty south to southwest winds." "Tonight will start off cloudy and blustery with outbreaks of showery rain. The rain will gradually clear southeastwards with clear spells following. Fresh southwest winds will veer moderate northwesterly. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees with frost in sheltered areas. some mist or fog may develop also." "Friday will be a cool, bright and mainly dry day with good sunshine. A few light showers may develop in the north and northwest. Highest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees with moderate westerly breezes, fresher near northern coasts." "The weekend and the early days of next week will be quite mild. The nights will be mostly frost free." It continues: "Friday night will be dry in most areas with clear spells over the southern half of the country. It will be cloudier further north with some patchy rain or drizzle in Ulster and north Connacht. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees, coldest in the south." "Saturday will be mild and mainly dry. There'll be some bright or sunny spells in Leinster and Munster. Connacht and Ulster will be cloudier with some patchy light rain or drizzle possible in coastal areas. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees with light to moderate south to southwest breezes." "Sunday will be mild, breezy and mostly cloudy. The best of any sunny intervals will be in the east and south. It will be cloudier in the west and north with some patchy light rain or drizzle at times. Highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees with mostly moderate southerly breezes. On Sunday night, winds will freshen and rain will move in from the west." So not a drop of rain is predicted? Long may that last.