belgianwaffle

Ireland

Carlingford Again


Posted in: Ireland, Mr. Waffle

As I was away on the day of my birthday, Mr. Waffle and I decided to take Thursday off work and go for a walk together as a birthday celebration for me.

We went to Carlingford. It can be really beautiful up there. It was not beautiful on Thursday. It lashed rain; that rain that hits the ground and then bounces back up again and hits you from underneath. We abandoned our plans for a walk and went to the Heritage Centre in the old Protestant church. It was fine as these things go but limited. Standing in the church graveyard in the driving rain looking at the gravestones, I couldn’t help feeling that it was all going rather poorly. This was before I stood on a large sloping, slate gravestone to examine the inscription in more detail. Slate is quite slippy in the rain and I managed to hit my knee, shoulder and the side of my face as I went down. No serious injury but mild pain, humiliation and misery.

Then we went for lunch. We went to Fitzpatrick’s. It was recommended by a friend. It didn’t really do it for me. Mr Waffle described it as “Johnny Fox’s North” and that was about the size of it. Food was fine; big quantities and decor very touristy. Unfortunately, I then proceeded to succumb to a migraine to add the icing to that particular birthday cake.

Alas. Let us hope that the rather inauspicious beginning is not an omen for the year.

Lenten Thoughts


Posted in: Ireland

Did you know that the Irish word for Wednesday, Céadaoin, means first fast? And Friday, Aoine, means fast? And Thursday, Déardaoin, means day between two fasts? It makes me reflect on how religious and abstemious our celtic ancestors were. Meanwhile, on Ash Wednesday, I forgot that it was a day of fast and abstinence and had a beef sandwich at lunch. The guilt. Also, for Lent I have given up sweets again. I feel I should perhaps be trying harder.

Hypercorrection or Big Bird


Posted in: Ireland, Princess

Herself told us that they were doing fairy tales in school and someone said that the handsome Prince went to the market disguised as a pheasant.

That is all.

American Tourists who are in for a Surprise


Posted in: Ireland

American Tourists: We are going to Belfast tomorrow, what is it like?
Waiter: It’s really cool.
American Tourists: Is it very different?
Waiter: I guess compared to Dublin, it’s a lot like Canada is for people from the US.

I really don’t think so.

The Ongoing Tale of Relations with our new Service Provider


Posted in: Ireland, Mr. Waffle

So, Mr. Waffle rang eircom on Friday morning to say that even though he had stayed at home all day Thursday (and had previously arranged for someone to be in the house all day on a previous date), no one had come. He spoke to W who passed him to J who hung up/lost the connection. Mr. Waffle rang back and spoke to A who said the technician had telephoned Mr. Waffle. “He did not,” said Mr. Waffle. On checking he found that they still had the wrong number for him on file as “he had given the wrong number initially.” Seriously, where do you believe that the error lies? Anyhow, Mr. Waffle pointed out that they had raised this issue with him previously and he had given the correct number on the 2 March for them to amend their records. He gave it again; perhaps this time they will update the information or perhaps they just like to keep people like us on our toes. A added that, in any event, the technician had left a note. “He most certainly did not,” said Mr. Waffle. “I’m only reading what it says here on the system,” said A defensively. “Well then,” said Mr. Waffle, “can you update the system to state that the client says that no notification was received?” She was shifty on this point so I am guessing not.

We seem to be back at stage one now and Mr. Waffle has to stay home all day Tuesday for the technician to come. As luck would have it, our washing machine also broke down at the weekend and the technician from Bosch is coming to give it a poke on Tuesday too but at least they telephone half an hour before they are due to arrive. No such luxuries are available from the eircom service. How do people who can’t work from home manage this kind of thing?

I am beginning to think that we might investigate Sky. Can the service possibly be worse?

Busy Weekend


Posted in: Ireland, Middle Child, Mr. Waffle, Princess, Twins, Youngest Child

On Friday night we dropped Michael off at the scout hall at 7 for his first sleep over. It was his first time ever sleeping without his brother under the same roof. They both really missed each other. All the time he was gone, Daniel kept asking when he would be back and when Michael eventually came home, they gave each other a big hug.

On Saturday morning, Daniel had a GAA match, herself was on a course and I went to look at new bikes. V. exciting. On Saturday afternoon at 3, Michael returned from scouts. At 3.30 the Princess and I cycled into town and tracked down a jacket for her to wear to her confirmation. At 5.30, I dropped Daniel and Mr. Waffle up to meet a group from Daniel’s GAA club who were going to see Dublin v Tyrone in Croke park (a draw). We collected them at nine and collapsed into bed. On Sunday, we had a starring role at mass. After mass, herself and Daniel stayed for choir rehearsal. When they came home, we had lunch and then cycled to the supermarket (reasonably painless) to pick up treats for a trip to the cinema with the cousins at 4.

Is it any wonder that we were all a bit tired as we sat down for dinner at 7.30? With one thing and another, we also have a very busy week ahead and as, over dinner, I outlined the excitement that was coming, I commented, “And I’ll be playing a couple of tennis matches as well, because I’ve entered the Spring round robin.” Then I sat bolt upright in horror as I realised that I was meant to be playing at that very moment. I telephoned my opponent all apologies and we agreed to meet at 8 instead although I was somewhat unenthused after my roast chicken dinner. I returned defeated 6-0, 6-3 an hour later. And I still haven’t packed for my work trip tomorrow. Sigh.

How was your own weekend?