belgianwaffle

Ireland

Meticulous Christmas Preparations Continue


Posted in: Dublin, Ireland, Reading etc.

I am a Christmas sandwich aficionado. I have been testing them all over town. I am pleased to announce that I have a winner for Christmas 2025. In fact, this is certainly the best Christmas sandwich I have ever eaten so I have called a halt to the competition some time before the big day.

I like the Pepper Pot cafe in the Powerscourt Centre and occasionally go there for their pear and bacon sandwich (recommended, they make their own bread, a key part of their success). I was there earlier in the month and noticed they had a Christmas sandwich and I ordered it. Sold out. I went two subsequent times and it was sold out each time. On my fourth time of asking the woman at the counter (whom I know sort of from my regular attendance) said, “Sold out” and then said, “It’s lovely, I’ve taken it home for my dinner”. Not, in fact, comforting. Seeing my face, doubtless like the lion in Jim “snarling with disappointed rage” (whatever the opposite of a poker face is, I am it), she said, “Hang on a minute” and disappeared off to the kitchen. She came back beaming, “We’ll have more in half an hour, if you can wait, they’re just waiting for the bread to finish baking”. I could wait. Boy was it worth the wait. Highly recommended though availability is limited.

Christmas Carols


Posted in: Dublin, Reading etc.

I went to carols in Christ Church this evening. I thought it might be quiet because of the storm (Storm Bram – sounds like a Dutch contribution to the storm naming party) but it was heaving and even though I arrived 15 minutes early, the nave was crammed with fellow carol enthusiasts so I sat off to the side where it was somehow much less satisfactory.

Mr. Waffle had bailed as he had got the wretched cold that Michael brought into the house. I had a bit of a headache myself and if we hadn’t paid €65 for our two tickets (more money than sense etc. but goes to the upkeep of the cathedral so a good cause), I might have bailed myself.

However, I did not bail and it was a case of virtue rewarded as the choir was great and Christ Church was a lovely venue (1000 years old in 2028 as the vicar/rector/dean – who can say – told us).

Despite the fact that there are so many lovely Christmas hymns that everyone knows, in my experience, choirs always do some challenging number that the choir director believes shows their range. There was a bit of that this evening – I’m looking at you King Jesus hath a Garden (Dutch Traditional) – but in general they stuck to the hits and we finished with a great “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”. Would 100% go again. And only just over an hour. A win.

Alas


Posted in: Dublin, Ireland

My hairdresser is great. He remembers me. I go once a year in December and as he said today “It wouldn’t be Christmas, if you weren’t here.” So true. My hair grows really slowly and the cut is generally good for 9 months and not great for three.

I had my annual haircuts today and despite my very best efforts he would not at all take off as much as I wanted. It’s grand but I wouldn’t call it a huge change. I’ll have to go back to him in July. Sigh.

Harsh but Not Unfair


Posted in: Dublin, Ireland

My cleaner asked me this morning whether we would be getting a Christmas tree this weekend. “Certainly not,” said I, “it would be dead by Christmas let alone January 6 (statutory day for taking down your Christmas decorations etc. I will brook no argument in this regard).”

“I wouldn’t think so,” she said, “your house is so cold.”

I Have a Suggestion


Posted in: Dublin, Ireland

On Sunday the parish priest said that for the next 12 months we will be praying for one vocation in Dublin. Yes, one. Setting our ambition level low, I see. I wonder would it help not to cut out half of the potential candidates?

Bah Humbug


Posted in: Dublin, Ireland, Middle Child, Mr. Waffle, Twins

The Trinity Christmas tree was lit this evening. I left work a bit early to be at the front gate where I had arranged to meet husband and one child at 5.30. Chaos ensued: child turned out to be at a lecture; husband was carried away by the crowd; rain lashed with real enthusiasm; the Trinity choir tried some challenging numbers instead of going for crowd pleasers; of the anticipated mulled wine and mince pies there was no sign (to be fair, my expectations were low on that front anyhow, were they planning to feed the 5,000?).

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“Feeling Christmassy?” asked Mr. Waffle when we eventually found each other. We went to find our own cup of tea. The Westin had an event in the atrium and directed us to a noisy pub downstairs; the Palace Bar was heaving (full of men in suits drinking pints); the Joy of Cha, despite indications otherwise on the internet, was closed. We cycled home in the rain and I lost my hat of which I am very fond (herself models the hat below in a shot from this time last year, idle to deny that it looks a lot better on her than me). When we got home I went back to the shed to cycle in to try to find the lost hat but then I got a work call which I dealt with in the shed (glamour) and then somehow, I’d lost the will to retrace my steps.

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However, when I finally got home, as part of my gradual Christmas prep, I got out my Spode ware and found my Christmas tablecloths and tea towels (“Oh my favourite Christmas tea towel,” I exclaimed as it emerged from where it had been nestling since last January. I am now the kind of person who has a favourite Christmas tea towel, apparently.) Mr. Waffle turned on Christmas FM, lit a fire and made me a cup of tea. Perhaps I am feeling a little bit Christmassy after all. You?

Updated to add:

Look what I found this morning!