Dublin

On Holidays – Week 1

14 August, 2021
Posted in: Boys, Daniel, Dublin, Ireland, Michael, Mr. Waffle, Princess, Siblings

Monday, August 2, 2021 – Bank Holiday

The plumber returned. He’s keen to finish at least. We drove up to Carlingford, Co. Louth for the first leg of our holidays. It’s about 90 minutes from Dublin so a short drive. We stayed in the delightful, though oddly named, Ghan House. Recommended.

We had lunch in the town which is right beside the hotel. Inspired by friends, I had booked us in for activities. After lunch we went zip lining. We all quite enjoyed it. The children are experts and I found myself reasonably alright except for the time I got stuck in the middle of the zip line like Boris Johnson at the London Olympics.

Our hotel restaurant, sadly, did not open for dinner on Mondays. We went into the town in hunt of food. It was not very successful. We were briefly seated outdoors at a pizza joint but no sooner had we got our legs under the (socially distanced, no you can’t move the tables together even if you are from the same household) tables than the waitress arrived out and said, “We’re not serving anymore, the kitchen is closed.” This was 8 in the evening but there you are. Mr. Waffle said that it was like the staff were from Communist Eastern Europe and were having no truck with the idle ways of the West.

We had a slightly difficult combination in that the boys and Mr. Waffle and I could eat indoors but herself as an only partially vaccinated over 18 had to be accommodated outdoors. Eventually, a nice woman took our number and our order and said she would call us when an outdoor table came free. We mooched around the (v pretty) town a bit.

We admired King John’s castle. Imposing but, you know, we were a bit hungry.

Herself suggested we go back to the hotel bar. There were no staff in but they had an honour system and herself went behind the bar with her hand sanitiser and got us all drinks.

A great time was had by all but we were nonetheless, pretty pleased to get a call about 9.15 that our table was ready.

Carlingford isn’t perhaps the best spot for vegetarian options. Herself said that, having missed breakfast in the haste of our departure, she had had vegetable soup for every meal. Alas.

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

We were up with the lark to go off canoeing. I may have overdone the whole activity thing. Mr. Waffle and I had only a very brief opportunity to admire the view from what I think was the best room in the house.

We trekked off to the adventure centre and down to the water where we all got into wetsuits. Herself said that Michael and I looked like “Fattypuffs and Thinifers“. Neither of us was delighted. However, the actual outing was fun and our guide took us to a cave and had us stand under a mountain stream which, due solely to his remarkable enthusiasm levels, we were all clamouring to try.

After our adventure, we drove out of town to this, pricey enough but pleasant, garden centre/shop/cafe. It was in the middle of nowhere and proof, as herself pointed out while we stood in the queue for food, that if you build it they will come.

We had a quiet afternoon, exhausted from our activities. I thought I had bruised my sides but it turned out to be muscles I never knew existed squealing in agony following the unexpected activity. I went into town and visited the craft shops. I love a craft shop but I am trying to stop buying things as my parents’ house is full of things that I will be finding a home for and where on earth will I put everything.

We had booked dinner in the hotel and, cunningly, reckoning that there would be nothing Michael would eat, when booking I had asked could they make pasta and pesto for him. It was not a success, he was offended and grumpy and as herself has observed, this family runs at the rate of the grumpiest member. So even though the other two ordered away and the food was good, Michael’s outrage hovered over the meal like a gloomy rain cloud taking from the general bonhomie of the party. It was the first time we had eaten indoors (confusingly, herself can eat indoors if she is a resident in a hotel) and the portents were good but, alas, it was not a success.

Wednesday August 4, 2021

The activities continued unabated. We went to an escape room which was broadly enjoyable. In the course of our efforts to escape the young man who ran the centre had to give us hints via typed messages on a monitor. At one point one of the devices we needed was out of battery and I held it up to the camera gesturing that it was broken in the belief that he could see but not hear us. The monitor popped into life saying, “I can hear youse, ha, ha, ha”. This may have been moment of the match for me.

After the escape room triumph we went to the local library (small but with a very good selection of books), an antique/bric-à-brac place (where I restrained myself from purchase with difficulty mostly on the basis that anything I wanted to buy was almost certainly available in my parents’ house somewhere for free) and more craft shops. I was fascinated by this item in the antique place. What, we ask ourselves, was its journey from Milton Keynes to Carlingford?

I enjoyed seeing a large dog make off with a slipper from a shoe shop with his owner in hot pursuit shouting angrily. The owner went back to the shoe shop and insisted on paying for the slippers although the woman in the shop was equally insistent she should not: it is a small town and they clearly knew each other. In fairness to the dog, I can see why it was hard for him to resist galloping off with this item clutched firmly in its jaw.

We had lunch at a food truck (in Carlingford, yes, very nice too, I have to say although it’s far from breakfast burritos we were reared etc.). I thought of visiting Dundalk or Drogheda but my friend from Dundalk pulled no punches in telling me that they were “fairly basic towns” with only St. Oliver Plunkett’s head to recommend them. The children balked at the saint’s head so, leaving that treat for another day, we headed home.

When we got home, the plumbers were still there, there was grit everywhere and herself announced bitterly that there was an (as yet unused) toilet in her bedroom. As I pointed out to her, if we had visited St. Oliver Plunkett’s head, it might all have been sorted before we got home. She was uncomforted.

Thursday, August 5, 2021

I was up at 7 as the plumber was due at 7.30. You will recall that the work was to be finished last Friday. Mr. Waffle and I went out for breakfast leaving the children in bed. We ran into the postman who said that he had tried to deliver a parcel to us yesterday. We knew because we got the notice to collect it from the depot. “Never mind that,” said he, “I’ll drop it into you about 10 in the morning.” In fairness what a service.

We had invited friends of ours (a family of six who were over from the Netherlands – she’s Irish, he’s Dutch and the children are a mix but all v tall) to lunch. When the invitation was issued, we did not expect that the house would still be full of workmen who from time to time, as the mood suited them would turn off the water. We made a beautiful plum tart from the plums in the front garden. It looked amazing but, oh dear, tasted unbearably bitter. Alas.

Notwithstanding the logistical challenges, it was lovely to see our friends. The children all get on and we were all invited to our friend’s 50th birthday in the Hague in October. Very exciting. She made me laugh by telling me about her brother getting a new sign for his pub. The sign writer asked him, “Where do you want the apostrophes?” As though they were a decorative feature.

The plumber left without installing the sink which, for mysterious reasons, is not available until Monday week. Look we have a toilet and a shower. It’s a start.

Friday, August 6, 2021

A plumber free morning. Mr. Waffle took Daniel to a dentist’s appointment at 9.30 which I appear to have made in a moment of insanity. I believe my thinking was, let’s get it out of the way early. I dragged myself out of bed at 9.30 so that I would be up to let the postman in. Inevitably the doorbell rang at 9.35 while I was in the shower. I scooted down swathed in towels to pick up the parcel. The postman was unfazed. I assume he is well used to seeing people in various states of undress.

I made more jam. I am sick of jam. And it now appears that apple season has started.

We were supposed to go on a sailing trip around Dublin Bay in the afternoon. “No experience needed just buckets of enthusiasm,” said the website. I had definitely overdone the activity drive and no one, least of all myself, was in a position to display anything like buckets of enthusiasm so I was delighted when they rang up to cancel because of the weather.

A nice lady who lived on the road died. She was a great gardener and had given everyone cuttings over the years. A saintly neighbour offered to make up a bouquet for her from flowers from our gardens. Everyone was keen and she was immediately inundated with messages from people on their holidays saying, “Take stuff from my garden.” She did an amazing job and made up two big bouquets using all the flowers which seems to have been a big hit with the dead woman’s family.

One of the other neighbours said, “We must get you on to the flower arranging team for the church.” No good deed goes unpunished but I think she will probably be alright as she is, I believe, Protestant and it’s the local Catholic church for which her expertise is being sought. I’ll leave them to figure that one out themselves.

Saturday, August 7, 2021

I did almost nothing, exhausted by my week of exertions. My brother was supposed to be in Dublin for lunch but only made it about 6 which is late, even by his notoriously lax standards. A bale of hay fell on the motorway and chaos ensued leading to hours of delay. Really. He went straight out to see friends but is supposed to be spending the night here. We await developments.

As I was making more wretched jam in the afternoon I listened to an excellent podcast about the two girls who nearly drowned on paddle boards last summer. Sounds a bit niche but the nation, including me was rivetted by this (ultimately) good news story at the time. It seemed so improbable that they should have been rescued and, listening to the story, I am even more surprised that they made it. The families involved sound like lovely, lovely people and the whole thing is well worth a listen.

On Sunday, we are off to Sligo for week 2 of our holidays and then Kinsale for week 3. I will update you on our return. I am sure that you are on the edge of your seat out there.

End of Term at Last

7 August, 2021
Posted in: Boys, Cork, Daniel, Dublin, Ireland, Michael, Mr. Waffle, Princess, Siblings, Work

Monday, July 26, 2021

Mr. Waffle and I are both facing into slightly grisly weeks at work on the basis that we are going on holidays on Friday never to return. Alas, that is not true but I am off for 3 and a bit weeks and Mr. Waffle is off until September. Rejoice. Just the week of doom to get through first.

The plumber arrives with his son to do up the bathroom. This was originally scheduled for last October but Covid did not permit. The plumber is keen as mustard. He arrives at 7.30 and says that he will be finished by Friday. He proceeds to cut off the water for the day. Herself is not delighted but at least the boys are safely in Cork.

Indoor dining can resume for the lucky vaccinated.

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Herself enjoys another day at home with the plumber and his son and no water.

When we returned home that evening she told us that she had overheard the plumber on the phone with a client: “Look,” said he, “I’ve tried to explain to you and I’ve explained to your husband; to put it in terms you can understand, your heating system is fucked.” On seeing my precious firstborn, he said, “Sorry, I forgot you were there.” Indeed.

I had my first indoor dining experience with my Covid cert at lunch time. It was grand. Worked fine.

Daniel and Michael returned to the fold. They were not delighted by the upstairs bathroom situation but who would be? They had an excellent time in Cork with absolutely beautiful weather.

Wednesday, July 28, 2021 – Anniversary

This was our 20th wedding anniversary. “What is it for 20th?” Mr. Waffle asked. “Porcelain,” I said sapiently. Yes, indeed, the plumbers were still in situ. Plumber père announced to us at 7.30 in the morning that they would not be finishing until the following week. Unsurprising but unwelcome intelligence. Mr. Waffle and myself went down the road for an early restorative breakfast to recover.

Meanwhile, as you will recall, it is jam season. There is a bumper crop of plums from the tree this year and I constantly have some kind of jam process on the go. Daniel and herself helped me stone plums on separate nights. “It’s like that Seamus Heaney poem,” I said. Michael, however, remained unwilling to assist even when I made him read out the poem aloud. Alas.

I didn’t get home from work until 9, sadly, and no sooner was I in the door than poor Mr. Waffle was called to a work emergency. We’ve had better anniversaries. We can celebrate on holidays.

I rounded off the evening by driving out to a distant suburb to pick up herself from a friend’s house.

Thursday, July 29, 2021

The plumbers have installed a temporary shower in the utility room (it’s bad but not quite as bad as it sounds). The space is tiny, like a shower on the ferry. Better than nothing.

Herself had some friends around to the back garden. I sent them all home with a jar of jam.

Mr. Waffle and Daniel went to the Aviva: more live sports, where will it all end. The home team triumphed against, I want to say, a team from Luxembourg?

As we contemplated the ongoing works in the house, herself asked, “When we are looking after the house, do you think we are working with it or against it?” I said I thought not, remembering my father who always said, “Entropy is against you.” Perhaps it was just a low moment.

The plumbers said they would not be coming the following day but the tilers were coming on Saturday. As the plumber said, “They don’t have great English but they’re good tilers.” “Where are they from?” we asked. “Romania maybe,” he offered.

Friday, July 30, 2021

A plumber free day. And my last day in the office before 3 and a bit weeks of holidays. Rejoice. I got a work call in the afternoon (when I was off) which was not a great sign but never mind. I took herself off to get her first vaccination. Rejoice, rejoice.

Saturday, July 31, 2021

We had a very normal morning in pre-Covid terms. Herself joined her parents for breakfast out. Mr. Waffle and I cycled into town to pick up a light fitting for the bathroom. He went home then and I went on to see the Martin Parr exhibition in Temple Bar which is excellent. So good that I bought the exhibition book even though it has an introduction by Fintan O’Toole (Ireland’s foremost public intellectual) whom I find very trying. I took in the National Library photography exhibition as well. I went to the Temple Bar market and bought some bread for lunch. I went to the shops and bought more jam jars (planned) and a dress (more spontaneous). It was the most normal morning I have had in ages and I am so grateful to the vaccine for giving us our lives back.

It was a longer morning than usual though as the tilers arrived at 7.30 and I was keen enough to get out from under their feet. They’re from Transylvania actually, thanks for asking.

Mr. Waffle discovered as he was going about the monthly neighbourhood clean up that our misfortunate next door neighbours have got Covid. Only their 18 year old was not fully vaccinated but they all got positive tests and are dutifully self-isolating at home. It was particularly grim as they were supposed to be in Schull on their holidays this week.

I had been notified that a book I wanted had arrived at the library. Myself and Dan cycled up at speed, anxious to get there before it closed at 4. We had, however, forgotten that on bank holiday weekends, the library is closed on Saturday. I love my library and it provides an amazing service but this drives me crazy and it catches me every time.

I took the boys up the road for a haircut. As we were crossing the road, I met the waitress from the cafe at the top of the road whose daughter is in the boys’ school. She said how big the boys were and that she hadn’t seen us in ages. I pointed out that the cafe was closed and wondered were they re-opening now. Apparently not, after seeing the 96 pages of regulations, the owner has decided that they will remain closed to indoor dining for now. Understandable – particularly when they have a well-established bakery. It seems pretty difficult for cafes and restaurants – I do feel for them.

Sunday, August 1, 2021

At mass, the leaflet said that one of the saints whose feast occurs this week was Saint Eusebuis of Vercelli. It was such an odd name that I looked him up. Quite dull but his wikipedia entry refers to St. Lucifer of Cagliari. I kid you not. He’s worth a look even on the basis that wikipedia feels no need to comment on his unusual name.

I went into the Hugh Lane gallery on my own in the afternoon (my family having declined this offered treat) and had a sustaining tea and a bun in Bewley’s afterwards. How much am I enjoying having my life back? Very much indeed, thank you.

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?

Still Not Vaccinated

23 May, 2021
Posted in: Boys, Daniel, Dublin, Family, Ireland, Michael, Mr. Waffle, Princess, Work

Monday, May 17, 2021

I knew this was going to be a hellish day at work. It did not disappoint. Meanwhile despite earlier rumours that travel with the UK would reopen as early as next month it was today announced that it is hoped that the Common Travel Area between Ireland and the UK will be restored “very soon” which the Tánaiste (deputy PM) clarified means at some point this summer or autumn. This is not quite what was said earlier and again my holiday plans are… unsure.

Highlight of the day was this podcast which made me laugh out loud.

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

The boys had their book launch. Michael read one of his own stories and Daniel read a friend’s story. I really thought that they were both terrific. It was virtual so I was able to watch from the office over lunch. Roddy Doyle and Sheila O’Flanagan dutifully turned up for the virtual launch and I could see them smiling away as the children read out the stories. I’ve said it (several times) before but the people at Fighting Words do an amazing job.

Daniel had his TEG Irish exam and he said it was good and hard as well as slightly beset by technical difficulties.

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Michael had his TEG exam – he thought it was pretty hard too. Herself continued to have a cold and I wondered should she get a Covid test especially as she had developed a slight cough. I hummed and hawed but in the end, we sent her off. She couldn’t be referred by the GP due to the ransomware attack on the health service systems so she just went to one of the walk in centres. It was speedy and efficient and she was in and out in 20 minutes. She said it wasn’t even too painful. The boys had to come home from school and I had to work from home to be on the safe side in case she did have it. Michael spent the evening wrapped in a blanket which he held up over his face (a bit like the Count in Sesame Street) any time any of us went near him in case we infected him. He wasn’t taking any chances.

Three friend from book club were scheduled to get the jab at the same time in the Aviva Stadium. Delighted buzzing of book club whatsapp group and they even arranged to meet for a (socially distanced) cup of coffee afterwards. V. thrilling or, as herself said, “You’re so old and all your friends are too.”

Herself has grown again and is now a good inch taller than me. I made Mr. Waffle stand back to back with the boys to see whether they are taller than him. They are not. “For a static data point (tallest family member), you get a lot of interest out of it,” said herself.

Thursday, May 20, 2021

The Covid test came in negative within 24 hours. A pretty impressive service, I have to say. It was brilliant for herself as she was able to go into school and finish off her Leaving Cert art project which has to be done in the classroom. I let the boys stay home for the day even though we knew the result was negative by lunch time. It was lashing and I felt merciful. I worked at home for the day as well. It was alright but I’m surprised how little it suits me. Maybe in different circumstances it might work for me, I guess.

Friday, May 21, 2021

Another day of driving rain. I often say May is the nicest month of the year in Ireland. This year is proving me wrong. The children had their school sports day. Of course they did. They watched films in the classroom instead of running around in the rain and getting drenched. Unsatisfactory.

Michael and Daniel did well in annual school awards and were quite pleased with themselves. Hilariously, Michael picked up a special award for attendance. I think they were trying to acknowledge effort over zoom and online school but it was pretty ironic.

For the first time since November 2019, I got my hair cut. I am pleased.

Saturday, May 22, 2021

The Princess and I went for a short cycle in the park before lunch and in the afternoon, Mr. Waffle and I went for a cycle along the canal. Mr. Waffle saw a yellow iris on the banks of the canal and said, “What’s that, a canal daffodil?” Good grief.

There was a certain amount of appealing bird life in evidence as we cycled along.

We cycled out beyond the Dublin ringroad (the inexplicably named M50, I mean, why 50?) and our route along the canal took us over the road alongside an aquaduct built to carry the canal water across the motorway.

It was quite weird because as you crossed the motorway, it looked like this.

Then, beyond you went straight back to the old early 19th century stone bridges.

A little further on, it was like being in the middle of the countryside.

Beyond Castleknock station, is not really suitable for bikes, so we tied them up and walked along what is known as the deep sinking. It’s absolutely lovely there and feels quite wild and remote (although it is not). We went as far as Coolmine and then hopped on the commuter train (the train line runs alongside the canal which is handy) back to Castleknock (journey time, 2 minutes, not perhaps the longest walk ever).

In the evening we went out to the cousins for a barbecue. We were delighted. It didn’t even rain. The children were thrilled to see their cousins and we had a lovely, lovely time. I have mentioned before that my sister-in-law is a great cook and she goes the extra mile on vegetarian options for herself which is challenging for a barbecue, frankly. Herself was delighted.

I stayed up late to watch the Eurovision voting. Even though Ireland was eliminated and also Denmark (my draw in the work sweepstakes), it was pretty entertaining.

Sunday, May 23, 2021

A morning of lashing rain. Again. It cleared up in the afternoon and Mr. Waffle, the boys and I cycled to the Botanic Gardens. The laburnum was looking good and I said to the boys, “Do you think we should get laburnum for the back garden?” “Yes,” said Daniel, “I look like the kind of person with views on laburnum alright.” Sometimes I forget that gardening is a very middle aged hobby. On the other hand, look at my husband with his canal daffodil; clearly not an interest of all middle-aged people. As we wandered around, I remembered that there is this Victorian pergola covered in wisteria and I wondered whether we were too late to see at its best (spoiler alert, we were). Aloud, I said, “Let’s go and look at the wisteria pergola.” All of my menfolk looked at me and after a pause, Mr. Waffle said to the boys, “Is it perhaps a Dr. Who villain?” Oh how we laughed. Daniel and I fed the squirrels with some nuts we found nesting in the hand of the statue of Socrates (can’t say why they were deposited there or, indeed, why the only statue in the Botanic Gardens is of Socrates). Small thrills.

The rhododendrons in the Botanic Gardens are taunting me. Do you know how many blooms my pink rhododendron produced? Two, that’s how many. Do you know it’s an invasive species here and the parks and wildlife people are desperately trying to get rid of it in our national parks? I feel I could help. Often, I only have to look at a plant for it to wither.

Still no vaccine appointment. Tell me, have you any news?

Crazy Bike Lady Rides Again

16 May, 2021
Posted in: Boys, Daniel, Dublin, Ireland, Michael, Mr. Waffle, Princess, Siblings

Monday, May 3, 2021

My friend L offers to host live, in person book club from her back garden on May 30. Words can barely describe how delighted I am. Then my hairdresser texted to ask if I would like an appointment. Where will the thrills end? For reasons which are largely pandemic related I haven’t had my hair cut since November 2019 and it hasn’t been this long since I was in college. And it is driving me crazy. This will all end on May 21.

Mr. Waffle and I cycled out in the rain for a couple of hours into an entirely new cycle way previously unknown to us and within 5kms of our house.

Readers, how did we miss this?

In fairness to us, I will say that signage was not at all what it might be. It was drawn to our attention, however, by the beacon of investigative journalism that is Lovin’ Dublin.

The rain was a bit stop start and in between showers it was very pretty. And we had our waterproof trousers.

As we’ve cycled round the city, I’ve noticed some very clever layouts near schools which aim to slow traffic while also being appealing to look at. I spend much of my time complaining about street furniture (this is middle age lads) but I think this is lovely.

After finishing up Hamlet the previous night which took a lot out of us, we decided that Shakespeare over zoom was not for us and gracefully bowed out of future adventures of this kind.

We cleaned the house. I am sick of the cleaning rota.

I heard that the blogger who I mentioned previously who is about the same age as me with children about my children’s age has died. It made me feel so sad for all the lost opportunities and for her children and her husband. I am counting my blessings again and, really, they are many.

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Re-entry to work after the bank holiday weekend was trying. To offset the pain I received clothes from an order I had placed at the weekend (very speedy in fairness). I’d bought a pair of plain navy chinos. When I opened the package, I discovered to my horror that they had an elasticated waist. I thought that I would just try them on before sending them back. Oh my goodness, so comfortable, made of some super soft fabric and, you know, elasticated. I’m keeping them, I feel like some Rubicon has been crossed but I almost don’t care.

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

I tried on the new expensive perfume Mr. Waffle gave me for my birthday. Daniel asked why our house smelt like my parents’ house. I wondered vaguely why there was a burning smell upstairs. It turned out it was the perfume which has, not unpleasant, peat fire undertones. The website describes it thus:

a delectable haze of burnt chestnuts laced with a fine trace of golden caramel. It gradually reveals a voluptuous blend of rich Haïtian vetiver, cardamom and red pepper bathed in the delicate floral notes of cassia absolute and lush jasmine blossoms

I mean, whatever you’re having yourself. Would recommend actually but that may be because it smells like my parents’ house, I cannot say.

Michael is starring in a film at school. Daniel was given the opportunity to participate also but turned it down in favour of painting planters while wearing a bin bag [the bin bag was the school’s innovative way of keeping their uniforms paint free]. Sometimes the Transition Year programme is exciting and innovative, sometimes it involves painting planters while wearing black bin bags.

I met a friend for a walk in the park at lunch time. It hailed on us. We pulled up our hoods and kept walking proving that Irish women in their 50s are unstoppable.

Thursday, May 6, 2021

It was a beautiful day. The boys had a 20km walk as part of their TY programme so Mr. Waffle said we should drive them to school. I did but I felt very guilty in my big behemoth as I passed fleets of primary school children going in either alone or with their parents on bicycles. By waving and driving very slowly and carefully, I tried to explain that I was really one of their number and not a person who would drive children to school on a beautiful day despite the very visible evidence to the contrary. To my absolute horror, herself said that the children on bicycles were a bit of a pain as they tended to be less safe in traffic. Where did she get these notions? Not from me. I pointed out forcefully that if all these children were driven to school it would be much more dangerous for her than having them cycling. She was unrepentant.

The school has a retired nun in her 80s who is very active and does various projects and so on with the students in the school. They all love her (not how I felt about the nuns who taught me but, good, I guess). Anyhow she has written a book and we were all bidden to the online launch of the book by the new Archbishop of Dublin. I had a look. Herself tells me her class were all on whatsapp commenting. The enthusiasm levels. The new Archbishop does not appear to speak Irish with any fluency (or at all?) however, he was willing in fairness to him. He gave a longish speech and I found myself forcibly reminded of the more boring sermons that I have had to sit through. Now that I am on the verge of being let back into in person mass, I’m not so sure I want to anymore.

Daniel skipped training as he was still exhausted from his 20km walk.

Mr. Waffle pointed me towards the HSA website where the return to work video/questionnaire assumed everyone would be driving back to work and I sent them an email pointing out that they should be encouraging walking and cycling and I realised that I have actually gone full crazy cycle lady.

Friday, May 7, 2021

The mother-in-law of one of my colleagues died suddenly during the week. She was from a small town in the west of Ireland and my colleague’s wife had been going down every weekend for the past couple of months to mind her mother. That’s been tough on him and their young children. Last weekend when his wife was leaving, his mother-in-law slipped €200 into her hand. Then she died unexpectedly on Wednesday night. I almost cried when I heard this. Before my mother got sick, I never left Cork without getting €50 slipped to me at the station – this continued long after I stopped needing the extra cash. You know this business of love languages? The love language of the Irish mother is cash slipped into the hands of their children as they head off from home.

Mr. Waffle bought a hammock from a crowd in Cork called Hammockology. Having grown up in the tropics, he’s always had a soft spot for a hammock. I am astounded that there is a viable business in this in North Cork though.

The lilac has been amazing this year and I am delighted with it. The rest of the family are entirely indifferent. In other gardening news, our grass on a roll has thrived despite Mr. Waffle lifting it up (i.e. pulling it out by the roots) to see whether it was growing. The only problem is that it is showing up our existing grass somewhat.

I finally persuaded herself to lodge her birthday cheques. We went to an outside lodgement machine and it was “out of service” but we could hear noises inside and I said, “Wait, wait, they might be just restocking it.” We waited. Herself stuck her head in the bank window to see what was going on but a grumpy lady closed it instantly. We waited 15 minutes and gave up in despair. As we were driving away (more guilty driving when we could really have cycled), herself saw someone go up to the machine. We turned around and lo and behold it was working. I was a bit peeved with Bank of Ireland. They could clearly hear us hanging around outside because we could hear them working inside. Would it have killed them to have intervened in our speculative conversation as to whether the machine was going to come back into service with the joyous tidings that it was? Perhaps you had to be there but I was pretty annoyed.

We were listening to music in the car and I asked her whether she knew any numbers by the Corrs. She did not so I had her put on “Runaway”. She was reading the comments under the song on youtube and said, “Oh dear.” “What?” I asked. “This was put up in 2017 and one of the comments is “I’m going to walk down the aisle to this beautiful song in October 2020.” Oh dear indeed.

Saturday, May 8, 2021

I had an appointment to collect a poster from the framers at 10. I woke up at 9.57 and was there at 10.05. Honestly this represents a personal record.

I also picked up my new bike from the bike shop. I am delighted.

I found the cemetery where Francis Johnston is buried within our 5kms. A hidden cemetery relatively distant from the church. I am astounded by all the things I have found in my 5kms. Sadly the cemetery is locked and a bit overgrown. Mr. Waffle has a colleague who is big in the Church of Ireland and I’m hoping he can tell us how to get in.

I proposed an outing to the children and herself said to me, “Do you know what your problem is? You have very lock down 1 energy, this is lock down 4, you have to stop proposing things.” This may be true.

Sunday, May 9, 2021

We took the boys on the new cycle path we’d discovered (lock down 1 energy). It didn’t rain on us. Small thrills.

Mr. Waffle had a work call at 5 so we scuttled back to the house reasonably promptly. Herself spent an hour on the phone with her friend speaking German. It was broadly satisfactory she said but they were both a bit concerned that they were compounding each other’s errors.

Daniel and Michael are both growing like mad. For the first time in ages, at the moment, Michael is taller than Daniel.

Mr. Waffle has taken to posting Pringles containers back to the manufacturers for recycling (I am not the only crazy person in this household – our consumption of Pringles has increased due to Cinema night, I offer by way of explanation for this development). They had an arrangement where you put them in a box and sent them back free post. But as of Monday week, he has to go to UPS in Swords (North Co. Dublin) to recycle them and I’m beginning to wonder whether it’s diminishing returns.

Monday, May 10, 2021

Mr. Waffle had to go to virtual abroad and was up at the crack of dawn due to the time difference.

We got a letter about a confirmed Covid case in the school. These used to worry me but now I am utterly blasé.

The libraries re-opened! Hallelujah. I got a notification that the book I had ordered had arrived. I went in and picked it up – our local library was open until 8 – and also had a lovely browse for myself. I have missed the library. I do not miss the head high pile of books on the hall table which I was finally able to return.

Daniel had a zoologist in for the day to talk to his class. It sounded a bit unpromising but actually he loved it and found it really fascinating.

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

I registered to get the vaccine. Happy day.

My sister sent us an unexpected hamper of goodies. Happy day.

I had my last parents’ council meeting of the year and Mr. Waffle had the residents’ committee and Daniel had training. All over zoom except training but it was a busy evening, I can tell you.

Mr. Waffle got his first haircut since November. I was delighted. His father came of age in the 1970s and liked to keep his locks flowing and with Mr. Waffle’s long hair, it began to increasingly feel that I was living with my father-in-law or, possibly, Boris Johnson.

I met the press officer in work for a quick cup of tea at the end of the day and she came bearing all the day’s papers which I took home with me. Herself started going through them in the kitchen and as I was on my zoom parents’ council meeting, I heard her saying in bemusement to Mr. Waffle, “The Examiner is all about Cork.” She should really know that that’s the point.

Wednesday, May 12, 2021 – Update from the house of vermin

The cat caught another mouse. She had it in the kitchen (let’s pretend to ourselves that she didn’t catch it there, will we?) and Mr. Waffle tried to usher her and the mouse outside making the rookie error of not closing the kitchen door so the mouse skittered out into the hall with the cat in hot pursuit. She eventually tracked the mouse down under the sofa where she killed it and ate it. Dear Lord, it is, as my daughter would say, a lot.

Herself has basically been advised to go into purdah in case she gets Covid or is a close contact and cannot sit the Leaving. She’s a bit tense about it all but I am reasonably optimistic. If the worst comes to the worst she can fall back on her calculated grades (grades given by the school – we had to do French outside of school which was a pain but we got there) which I imagine will be good. The way it works is that she will get the better of the school calculated grade or the written examination grade and she won’t ever be told what the school grade was so it’s not clear at this stage how she will do. I do feel for her, there’s so much uncertainty.

Michael’s class had the zoologist for the day. He didn’t enjoy it as much as Daniel, apparently Daniel had told us all the good bits already.

Thursday, May 13, 2021

The hammock arrived. We are delighted. My colleague who is 56 got vaccinated today. With any luck my vaccination should be in 4 days then – that’s Monday. Fingers firmly crossed.

Daniel and Michael went off to Kildare with the school and spend the day shooting at each other with air guns and learning archery. They seem to have liked it.

Friday, May 14, 2021

The boys finally got their hair cut. The Chinese woman who cuts their hair kept commenting on how handsome Daniel had got. “He was fat with a round face and red hair, and now he’s handsome,” she said admiringly. Several times. As Daniel said, it was hard to really feel that she was complimenting him. “How could she think you were fat?” I asked him. “Well,” said he, “remember she’s the woman who said to me before that she felt I should share my food with my brother?”

Anyway, they both look fantastic. Delighted.

The health service has had a major IT attack and the nation is being held to ransom but we’re not paying it appears. Apparently vaccinations are unaffected, we will see. I am very glad that I have no elderly relatives in hospital at the moment, I will say that.

Saturday, May 15, 2021

We’d been due to go to the cousins’ house for an outdoor dining experience but it lashed. I mean, really, the Irish weather has a lot to answer for. We’re going to try for next weekend.

Mr. Waffle and I explored Malahide between showers. It’s a small seaside coastal commuter town. The pedestrianisation of the main street is a matter of bitter debate. I mean it’s very small and very drive aroundable but to hear the debate you’d swear people’s cars were being taken away. This country. Yes, we drove out there. What’s your point?

Daniel had training again, they appear to be making up for lost time. I don’t know when he’ll be able to play an actual match, the poor child.

Our local chipper does nice gelato so we went to get some. We discovered that now he’s selling sourdough bread and we got some of that too. Notions lads. The local graffiti writers may have a point.

Sunday, May 16, 2021

Herself has a head cold. Notwithstanding purdah. Michael and Mr. Waffle and I went for a cycle in a bit of the park to we’d never been in before rejoicing in the name of “Furry Glen”. It was grand if oddly named. Admire my beautiful new bicycle going through the trees as captured by Michael, perhaps not entirely spontaneously.

Still no notification on the vaccine but you never know, fingers crossed for next week.

In a moment of madness I ordered Michel Barnier’s Brexit diary from the FNAC. It arrived today and looks every bit as dull as you imagine it might. Have I lost my mind?

Finally, apparently we will be able to travel to England, Scotland and Wales from June. I am now seriously thinking of a 3 week holiday in the UK in August. Give me your holiday recommendations please! Hidden gems lads. I mean, I’d love to go to Devon and Cornwall but I imagine it’s much too late to look to book something now.