Archives for July 2021

Heatwave!

18 July, 2021
Posted in: Boys, Cork, Daniel, Dublin, Family, Ireland, Michael, Mr. Waffle, Work

Monday, July 12, 2021

Daniel came back from basketball camp crippled after a day of intensive exercise. I saw him limping down the stairs and he said, “This is like ‘The Lord of the Rings’. It’s going to be a very lengthy journey.” Poor child. And he had to cycle to and from the venue. He was exhausted.

It was peak marching season in the North. At this time of year, I always feel sorry for the Northern Ireland tourist board.

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

My covid vaccination cert arrived by email. I am now free to travel all around the EU. The thrill. For the moment, I will, alas, be staying at home. Herself was supposed to be going to London next week and after much grief and heartache we decided to cancel the flight. Poor miss.

Apparently indoor dining is to be allowed for the vaccinated and their children under 18 from July 26. Does this mean we leave our 18 year old out on the terrace when we go for meals on our family holiday in August?

Herself returned from Cork in great form having had a restorative couple of days. She and my brother get on like a house on fire. She is trying to drag him into the 21st century. He’s a work in progress.

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Bastille Day, my father always liked to celebrate this and was almost always in France to do so. I thought fond thoughts of him.

Daniel arrived home from basketball camp burnt to a cinder (it was supposed to be indoors but they went outside for lunch and he had no sunscreen). I’m beginning to wonder whether he will make it out of there alive.

Herself bought some of her course books and they arrived and she is delighted with herself. I’d say she’ll enjoy college.

Thursday, July 15, 2021

Daniel and Mr. Waffle went to the Aviva stadium along with 6,000 other people. It was the biggest sporting outing in a while. They saw local heroes Bohemians demolish some club from Iceland. Great rejoicing all round.

Friday, July 16, 2021

It was very warm indeed. In a welcome return to normality, the Princess and I had lunch outside on a terrace. We both enjoyed it very much.

In what was definitely not normal, but pleasant all the same, Daniel and I prepped for a barbecue dinner. He and I have started working together on Friday night dinner and we’re quite enjoying the challenge of our family of tricky eaters.

Saturday, July 17, 2021

I had breakfast at the end of the garden sitting on our fancy new wooden bench. It was extraordinarily warm. I was sheltered by the tall bamboo growing between our garden and next door. Our older neighbours are a bit deaf. When they sit out, they have a penchant for jazz classics which they play at what I am sure they think is a perfectly acceptable volume. It is actually pretty loud. Mr. Waffle has taken to referring to the end of the garden as the “Bamboo lounge”. It’s pleasant; the green shade, the gliding bench and the jazz classics in the background. Glad I don’t mind jazz though.

The Irish Times was full of interest featuring the sale of the cousins’ house in the property bit and information on a new gardening programme on the back page. Three gardeners will come and judge your garden (one of 18) and presumably some prize will be given to the best overall garden. I was a bit surprised to see that one of the three judges is next door’s gardener who has done a bit of work for us as well. We rang him recently to come and tidy up the garden but he said the earliest he can come is October. No wonder when he is off filming. I can attest that he is a good gardener.

That evening for cinema night we enjoyed the first fruits of Ireland joining the Francophonie. You think I am joking but I assure you, I am not. The upshot of this was I got free access to a French film for Bastille Day (long story) and I put it up on the big screen for our family viewing. Very enjoyable, actually: I can recommend “Le Sens de la Fête” which is funny and suitable for family viewing. Not always a given with our film night choices.

Sunday July 18, 2021

I think our parish priest might be on his summer holidays. We had a substitute who gave an excellent sermon. Did you know that the etymology of the English word “nous” is from the Greek for mind, intelligence? That was only the beginning. The role of St Jerome in translating repent, Laudato Si’ and climate change, the bishop’s crozier; it was all happening. On the way home, Michael said, “Are we in trouble when the church is more concerned about climate change than our Governments?” Maybe so, maybe so.

Having spent all of the previous day commuting between the hammock and the bamboo lounge, I decided I would go out and have a swim. No one was interested in coming with me so I went on my own and it was quite satisfactory. The suburban beaches were full to the brim but the water was the warmest I have ever experienced in Ireland (the sunshine, the quantity of infant wee, sewage in Dublin bay, a combination of these?), I didn’t even have to pause for a moment on heading in to the water.

Then when I got home, I had some work to do which had been hanging over me all weekend. I spent a good hour at it but it’s going to need more than that. Sigh. I have decide to get up at the crack of dawn tomorrow and finish it off in the office.

Possibly time for bed. I hope the weather is pleasant where you are.

A Vaccinated Fortnight!

11 July, 2021
Posted in: Boys, Daniel, Dublin, Ireland, Michael, Mr. Waffle, Princess

Monday, June 28, 2021

I woke up the day after my second jab feeling slightly under the weather and very sneezy. But I was fine really.

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

I woke up feeling the picture of health. However, the nation was not in such good nick and indoor dining, which had been due to start July 5 was delayed until July 19 at the earliest. Alas, this wretched Delta variant.

Herself came back from her trip to Killarney where she and her friends had a lovely time. They spent 3 hours cycling around Killarney National Park. That’s a lot of cycling. They hired bikes and had to give a form of ID to guarantee them so, very reluctantly, her friend E handed over her passport (who travels to Kerry with a passport?) and then spent three hours worrying that it was going to be stolen. It wasn’t.

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Herself got her braces off. Oh frabjous day. It’s been a long haul. The orthodontist spent the lengthy appointment mulling about why he left Belfast, “I said it was the troubles, but really it was Niamh.” Herself was not in a position to comment on his musings as she was unable to close her mouth but the practice nurse and he had a good old chat. I know for a fact that he is married to not-Niamh with 4 children so I hope he isn’t too inclined to share these thoughts.

It was a beautiful day and there were loads of people eating out, town was delightful. Mr. Waffle took the boys off ziplining in the Dublin mountains which was a hugely successful expedition except Daniel broke his glasses. Happily we had spares at home as he was off to Cork on the following day and is blind without them.

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Mr. Waffle had his vaccine appointment at 9.05, he had been due to have it on Tuesday but had to defer as he had a work thing he couldn’t get out of. He was v pleased though to be fully vaccinated and in the observation area before his appointment time. I must say, they are flying through the vaccination programme, it’s very gratifying.

Daniel and Michael went off to Cork on the train. The journey was uneventful except for a crying baby. It must have been truly awful because another woman (described by Daniel as “looked like an experienced mother”) came down the train and picked the baby up. God the horror, the poor mother.

Mr. Waffle sent his Scottish friend in Vienna birthday bagpipe greetings – he felt that was the least he could do after she found the “Lola Rennt” DVD for us. He had seen the ad in the back of Private Eye and thought, “Who would want that?”. Well, now we know.

Friday, July 2, 2021

I went to the dentist and he took an x-ray. He spent ages complimenting me on the quality of my roots (yes, really) and told me that I was the only person he had seen that week with all of their original teeth (really?). On the bad news front, he says a tooth at the back is dead (this has been a long time coming – stay away from frozen mars bars) and I will have to have root canal on it. I am not looking forward to that and it is going to cost me a fortune. Sigh.

Herself came as well and the dentist complimented her on her new improved teeth which was good because she finds them a bit weird after so long in braces. I think they look great but I suppose I am not really the one to be pleased.

The three of us went for dinner in outdoors in a local restaurant. It was our our first time out to dinner since last summer and it was lovely. Herself ordered poorly though and to her utter mortification, the restaurant refused to charge for her main course as she had eaten so little of it. I will definitely be returning with my valuable custom.

Meanwhile the boys, having had a cruise of Cork harbour in the morning were having a delightfully unhealthy dinner in Cork.

Saturday, July 3, 2021

I spent my money locally. I quite enjoyed it. I went to the picture framer who is only ever going to open by appointment in future, Covid or no Covid. While I was there, he turned away a man at the door who wanted to buy a framed print for €145 saying he had to make an appointment or purchase from the website. The customer was, understandably in my view, irate. Can this be a good business model? We should all go into picture framing, there’s clearly a fortune to be made.

Herself and myself went to all the nice food shops locally of which there are quite a few and bought various appealing things. One of the shops was giving away free books and despite the fact that we do not need more books, we found ourselves gravitating towards it and were unable to stop ourselves picking up a couple. Alas.

Herself had done a very thorough tidying of her room and had oceans of stuff to give away. I offered the text books on the neighbourhood whatsapp group but no joy. Why does no one need text books? There was a bouncy ball on a spring which had me in a quandry. The charity shops won’t take toys and I didn’t want to throw it out. I attached it to the front gate with a sticker saying, “Free to a good home” and couldn’t help noticing that the six year old across the road appeared to be having a birthday celebration (Covid compliant in the garden, I trust).

Mr. Waffle and I cycled into town to inspect the outdoor dining options. I mean, fine, but Ireland just isn’t a warm dry country and that is slightly problematic. On the plus side, when we came home, the bouncy ball was gone.

Sunday, July 4, 2021

We cycled out for miles along the canal, beyond the Dublin ring road to drop herself to a friend’s house. We wanted to see whether it could be done safely. It could.

I had my last online bookclub. The next one will be in person because we are all vaccinated. How I rejoice! Online was better than nothing but meeting in person is much, much better.

We spoke to Mr. Waffle’s sister in England and her husband and four year old. She sang us her new song: “It’s coming home, football’s coming home…” I put my head in my hands to try to ensure that she understood that she is half Irish but that didn’t seem to put her off at all.

Monday, July 5, 2021

I had lunch with a friend. So wonderful to be returning to the lunch circuit.

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

I went out blithely without a coat. It lashed. Oh God it lashed; I got soaked on the way home. On the plus side, herself made dinner. She went all out to prove the deliciousness of vegetarian food. Not bad, I have to concede.

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

The boys came back. They had a great time: they went ziplining, played tennis and pitch and putt and spent hours playing Magic and other nerdy board games with my sister’s partner. I am so glad that they had a change of scene. In fairness, my brother and sister made a big effort to entertain them as well so I’m suitably grateful.

Thursday, July 8, 2021

I had a dull headache all week. It was not better. Poor me. I couldn’t help wondering was it in some weird way, vaccine related even though it only started a week after I got my shot.

Friday, July 9, 2021

Finally restored to health, just in time for the weekend. Herself, very nobly, cycled into town with her brothers and deposited them in front of the dentist where I met them. The dentist pronounced himself broadly pleased but Daniel has to get two fillings. Alas.

Daniel and I went to shop for dinner ingredients and he announced that he planned to make Gordon Ramsey’s teriyaki salmon. Extremely pleased.

Saturday, July 10, 2021

Herself headed off to her aunt and uncle in Cork for a few days.

I went out to a pitch miles away to watch Daniel play a GAA game. Alas, they lost. I chatted on the sideline to a local politician whose son is a handy mid-fielder. I mentioned where we live and she said, instantly, “Oh, I know where you live.” That’s politicians for you. Man of the match was this tiny little fellow who was half the size of the other boys. My son tells me that he is going to be representing Ireland in mixed martial arts. No wonder the larger boys stood well back.

Sunday, July 11, 2021

The weather was manky. The boys and I went to mass. Limited seating available but they definitely lowered the average age by quite a bit.

After lunch, sparing the boys, Mr. Waffle and I went for an outing to Wicklow. We went to the German military cemetery. A fawn leapt into the road in front of us and wandered off into the hedgerow. We went to the Powerscourt Garden centre which was very satisfactory and the Avoca coffee shop which was not. I am a big fan of the Avoca coffee shop but on this occasion it was appalling. Seven young people behind the counter tried and failed to serve two groups of customers with anything approaching promptness. The Victoria sponge I ordered was still frozen in places. As we went out (still outdoor dining lads) to enjoy our purchases, we saw one of the staff wiping down tables with a squeegee floor mop. I mean it was wet but it didn’t overall increase confidence. 1/10.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, the summer of outdoors:

We wandered into Enniskerry which has been Disneyfied for the making of “Enchanted 2”. It was pretty crowded but the guards sheltering from the rain in front of “Beauty and the Book” assured me that it was the least crowded it has been. I was impressed despite myself by the impact of the movie magic.

And even the Spar:

Meanwhile, herself cycled to Cobh with her uncle. When they got there, there wasn’t a train due for 90 minutes so they cycle back to Cork again. 20kms each way, lads. At least it wasn’t raining.

How is the weather where you are?

Reading

3 July, 2021
Posted in: Reading etc.

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

This was a bookclub book and I wouldn’t have read it otherwise as I’m not a huge fan of detective fiction. But I really enjoyed it and so did Mr. Waffle. It’s a murder mystery set in an old people’s home and it is very cleverly done. Excellent.

The Silver Branch by Rosemary Sutcliff

The Lantern Bearers by Rosemary Sutcliff

Frontier Wolf by Rosemary Sutcliff

I got these three books out of the library. They’re books for children about Roman Britain. I found they got better as they went along. They’ve really sparked an interest in Roman Britain for me. Not exactly recommended though as they can be hard enough going.

OK Let’s Do Your Stupid Idea by Patrick Freyne

The author is an Irish Times journalist and quite funny in the paper. These pieces are funny in places but also quite serious from time to time. Overall though a quick and easy read.

Dusty Answer by Rosamond Lehmann

I found this pretty tedious. Self-obsessed teenager goes to Oxford in the 1920s. All a bit atmospheric for me. Apparently a big hit when it came out and somewhat autobiographical.

Making Conversation by Christine Longford

This is written for laughs. Funnily enough it is also about a self-obsessed teenager who goes to Oxford in the 1920s. The same kinds of things happen as happen to the heroine of Dusty Answer but this heroine views them completely differently. Laugh out loud funny in parts it is overall a bit episodic and not really a novel. But enjoyable enough in a mild way.

The Smile of the Stranger by Joan Aiken

This children’s book turned up on my bedside table and I have absolutely no idea how it got there*. I enjoyed it very much actually. I think there’s a whole series so I might look for some more. Lots of adventuring and conspiracy in late 18th century England.

*Updated to add, I’m just off the phone from my sister-in-law in England and she says she gave it to me for my 50th birthday. Sorry about that but isn’t it good that I liked it?

The Mirror Dance by Catriona McPherson

The latest Dandy Gilver book. I really enjoy these and have read all of them at this stage. An English woman married to a Scot works as a detective all over Scotland. Great descriptions of places in Scotland which really make me want to visit them. And I love Dandy who is an interesting heroine and comments on the changes she has seen over her lifetime – the books start in the early 20s or even late teens and now we’re in 1937.

The Glass Hotel by Emily Saint John Mandel

This is inspired in part by the Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme. I can see why people might find it interesting or enjoy it and it moves along at a reasonable clip but it just didn’t do it for me.

Sovereign Ladies by Maureen Waller

Daniel bought me this history of the Queens regnant of England in the belief that my enjoyment of the Pope-Hennessey biography of Queen Mary betokened a more general interest in the history of English Queens. It didn’t really and it took me a while to get going on this. It was interesting enough though. I didn’t know a huge amount about the Tudors and the Stuarts and I found both Queen Marys pretty interesting characters.

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

I was really looking forward to reading this and it is well written and science fiction, normally a completely winning combination for me. I mean I did enjoy it mildly but it was a bit over long I thought and the mystery at the heart of the novel took too long to be revealed.

The Complete Short Stories Volume 1 by Somerset Maugham

Dear God in heaven. Somerset Maugham is a racist, misogynistic, bigoted misanthrope. I have never in my life read anything so uniformly gloomy and negative about all of humanity and offensive about almost all of it. He can be funny in places but he is always mean. A brilliant writer though. I don’t know that I’d try another volume, I’m not sure I could stand another prolonged period inside his head.

Jours sans Faim by Delphine de Vigan

This is about anorexia and, I would bet, pretty autobiographical. It’s largely set in the hospital where the narrator is being treated. It’s interesting about how she thinks and what started her on this path and how she is recovering.

Mr. Wilder and Me by Jonathan Coe

I think Jonathan Coe is a terrific writer but this story of a woman who worked with Billy Wilder in the 70s didn’t do it for me. Very readable but just not a great story. I had no idea that Billy Wilder was an Austrian Jew whose mother died in the holocaust though and I found some of the information in the story interesting but it just didn’t work as a novel. He might have been better off writing a Billy Wilder biography.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

I really enjoyed Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell and I was very much looking forward to this as was Michael who had just finished Jonathan Strange. It’s a very different book, for one thing, it’s a lot shorter. I found it hard to get going but once I got into it, I enjoyed it as did Michael. It’s about a man who is trapped in a parallel world which is an enormous building. Very clever.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Again, Matt Haig is an author whose books I have generally enjoyed. Notwithstanding its period at the top of the bestseller lists and the cleverness of the conceit – at the end of our lives, we get to see how things would have been different if we made other choices – I thought it was not his best work. I liked the idea that all of our choices bring good things and bad things; it is a comforting thought and obviously true. I am not convinced that it was sufficient to sustain a whole book. It was grand.

Magnificent Journey: The Rise of the Trade Unions by Francis Williams

I bought this ages ago, on a whim, in a second hand book shop and I read it slowly and painfully over the months of this last lock down. It’s written in the 1950s and the author is convinced that trade unionism’s progress will continue its upward trajectory forever. I’m glad he died before Mrs. Thatcher got in. It’s a bit turgid and having completed it I know far more about the internal workings of English trade unionism in the 1920s than I really want to. But it was interesting in ways like a historical period piece. It put the Dublin 1913 strike and lock out into the wider context of what was happening in the UK for me. What I found funny about the book was how insular it was – it rarely looked to events elsewhere in the world and then often only to assert that trade unions were not communist oh no indeed or if they were in part they were nor in the whole (remember it was written in the 50s). Women and their involvement in the movement barely get a look in. Events in Ireland are also given short shrift (some of the Black and Tans were brought back from Ireland to sort out the miners but that and the lockout reference were about it). I finally understand why the miners were so important in the 1970s and 80s and the role they played in the development of the unions. Look, interesting in its way buy extremely hard going and an obviously partisan account.

The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman

I didn’t enjoy La Belle Sauvage (part 1 of the trilogy) hugely but I loved this book. I have only two quibbles: firstly it relies on readers remembering all the details of book 1 of this trilogy and indeed those that proceeded (the Northern Lights books) and secondly it ends very abruptly right in the middle of the story with no attempt to bring the threads of this book to a conclusion – we’re obviously going to have to wait for book 3 for that. That said, I still loved it. I enjoyed the new details in the world Pullman created and the characters and their backstory. Each chapter ends on a cliff hanger; what’s not to love? Recommended.

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

This is the story of a group of college friends who go away together every year. They’re ten years out of college, there are lots of tensions, they got stuck in snow in Scotland at new year and one of them is murdered. I really enjoyed this. A snag is that three of the narrators are women from the friend group and their voices are insufficiently different to tell them apart so that can be a bit confusing. Overall, I found it undemanding and entertaining though.