Siblings

Early June Round Up

23 June, 2024
Posted in: Family, Middle Child, Princess, Siblings, Travel, Twins, Youngest Child

Monday, 3 June

I left you on the June bank holiday. Well, on the Monday my brother dislocated his shoulder. He was out cycling and hit a bump and with those stuck to the pedal shoes, you’re a bit doomed if you go over. My sister rescued him and brought him to hospital. It took them three goes to get his shoulder back in and they knocked him out the last time. Grim. He’s still not quite right and is gutted that he is probably going to miss the Ring of Kerry cycle for the first time in years. I mean, whatever floats your boat but it wouldn’t be for me. Very hilly.

Thursday 6 June

I laid down the law and said as the guys were at home relaxing they were going to have to start cooking dinner one night a week each. Honestly, best decision ever. I am now only cooking dinner two nights a week. I rejoice. Like myself, Michael is not a cooking enthusiast but he is competent. Daniel is always making delicious new things he sees on the internet. Very gratifying.

Friday 7 June

On the way home from voting (locals and Europeans), I stopped to admire a house which has no front garden but has a wildly impressive range of plants growing up the walls. The owner was bringing stuff into the house from his car and I admired his plants. He promptly gave me a present of two sunflower plants. A delightful democratic dividend.

Mr. Waffle then drove me out to the airport and I flew to Heathrow. Some time ago, my sister-in-law suggested she, I, my sister and the Princess should have a weekend in the Cotswolds to celebrate the end of the Princess’s undergraduate college career. When I agreed to this, I did not realise what would be in my future (a trip to Donegal for a birthday the following weekend, followed by collecting herself the Monday and Tuesday after and then a work trip to Strasbourg on the Wednesday – I did not know this at the time of the Cotswolds weekend but I was extremely relieved when my work trip was subsequently cancelled).

My sister and I met in Heathrow and drove to Oxford where we picked up herself and my sister-in-law and took ourselves to lower Swell adjacent to Stow-on-the-Wold (do we love English place names? We do). I was impressed by how easy the hire car was to drive. I did feel sorry for my children learning to drive in a 2014 diesel station wagon but I suppose if they pass the test in our car they will be ready for any challenges the motoring world may throw at them.

Our airbnb was lovely and it boasted a cute nearby pub from the 1700s where we went on the first night. I got my first glimpse of the extraordinary gardening prowess of people who live in the Cotswolds.

Saturday, 8 June

Stow-on-the-Wold is lovely and very near Lower Swell. We repaired there for breakfast and very much enjoyed having a look around the town.

It allegedly has the oldest pub in England. Allegedly it is also the inspiration for the Prancing Pony in the Lord of the Rings books. Though this is a bit of a hotly contested title.

I was disgusted to discover we missed one of Stow’s main attractions, St. Edward’s Church, though we basically parked beside it. Next time. I was foolishly relying on Uncle Jack and Aunt Cecilia’s 1937 guide book by Mr. HJ Massingham (bang up to date from when they visited in 1940) and, I can tell you, guide book technology has really advanced since 1937.

The Cotswolds are absurdly pretty but also very heavily touristed. There are a lot of cars and a lot of tour buses. We made the unwise choice to visit Bourton-on-the-Water. Mr. Massingham has some very temperate praise to bestow upon it: “Bourton has been called the Venice of the Cotswolds, but this is obviously a misreading for the Wigan of the Cotswolds. The only thing to do at Bourton is to stand and stare at those lovely bridges and pray for the death of the Progress all round you..” It is very pretty but it is a terrible place to visit. Mr. Massingham’s prayers have not been answered and it is a tiny village heaving with tourists. I, sadly, cannot recommend. This picture from there is artfully shot to avoid the press of people.

Undaunted (well, perhaps a little daunted) we went for a walk around the outskirts of the town and, although we got lost several times, it was very pretty and the weather was beautiful. Overall a win.

We had a really good early dinner in Stow (the hero town of our visit) and we were all delighted (I would plug the restaurant if I could remember its name). The nice people at the table beside us recommended Broadway as a place to visit and as we finished dinner relatively early we took ourselves there for a look. It’s a lovely spot. I nearly keeled over with delight to see that it is the home of the Lygon Arms.

This is where Jack and Cecilia stayed in 1940 and I had the papers to prove it.

We went in for a drink which was very pleasant but it would be fair to say the staff did not share my excitement that my great aunt and uncle had stayed there in 1940 with one man kindly commenting, “Yes madam, we’ve been here since 1537”.

Sunday, June 9

We went to visit Daylesford which is a shop that the Princess was mildly interested in investigating. It was grand as it was nearby but I wouldn’t go out of my way to inspect it.

We then took ourselves to Moreton-in-Marsh for a quick look around. It’s Mitford territory.

Also, again, Prancing Pony territory.

Then we drove off to Oxford where we said farewell to my sister-in-law who got the train back to London. I have to say, she is a pleasure to travel with and extremely good at organising things. Would 100% travel with sister-in-law tours again.

My sister and I went for lunch with the Princess and some friends (I have not said where herself was at college until now in the interests of privacy – yes sometimes I believe in this – a bit – but now that she has left, I have thoughts which I will share in due course). I wasn’t sure how this would go but it was actually very pleasant. A triumphant weekend. Then on our way back to the car after lunch my poor sister fell and hurt her knee. I had to scurry off to get the bus to Heathrow and the Princess had to scurry with me to show me where to get it due to my legendarily poor sense of direction. My sister was staying an extra day to visit a friend but she didn’t enjoy it a whole lot due to a swollen knee. Alas. I did feel bad abandoning her.

Overall, notwithstanding some quibbles, I would love to go to the Cotswolds again – almost every corner of it (them? what is a Cotswold?) seems to be absolutely beautiful – but my big lesson would be not to rely on a guidebook from 1937. Please let me have your Cotswolds recommendations for my next trip.

Agent of Chaos

2 June, 2024
Posted in: Princess, Siblings

My brother stayed over recently.

In the morning before he left for work I was talking on the phone to the Princess who was about to start an exam. He had a word with her as well and wished her luck.

When I came to leave for work, could I find my phone? I could not. I hunted. I woke Michael up and phoned my phone 6 times from his. On the sixth time, my brother answered, somewhat sheepishly. He had taken my phone into his office (“I must have picked it up from the table when I was going out, it’s the same as mine” said he not at all as contritely as I would have liked).

I had to swing by his office to get it and, of course, couldn’t call him when I was outside. I was rage filled but got it back eventually. It was only when I got into work that my colleagues pointed out that I could have made everyone’s life (particularly Michael’s) a bit easier by calling myself from my work mobile. Let’s not forget who the real victim is here.

Weekend Round Up

29 April, 2024
Posted in: Cork, Ireland, Reading etc., Siblings

This wasn’t technically the weekend (last Wednesday in fact) but I went to “The Pull of the Stars” in the Gate with a friend and it was really very good. Anything Louise Lowe directs is excellent. The theme was not particularly appealing to me (set in a maternity hospital after the Rising and towards the tail end of World War I at the beginning of the Spanish flu) and the script was a bit heavy on exposition at times but she made it work. Recommended.

I went to Cork on Friday for the first time in ages. I had to sign documents for the solicitor for my aunt’s probate as, more’s the pity, I am her surviving executrix. I took the day off so had a bit of time in Cork to myself. I went to the Market – heaving – not really for vegetarians.

I went to Home Sense looking to replace a broken teapot. I didn’t find what I was looking for but there was a statue of the Sacred Heart for €179. Hard to know who’s going to buy that one.

I took myself off to the Crawford which was as lovely as ever. There was a flag exhibition.

Our neighbours had their own special place.

I was surprised to see the crochet sphinx, last seen by me in Belfast in August 2020 (a trying time). Memorable. Like meeting an old friend.

There was this exhibit that for me definitely falls into the “But is it art?” category but when I showed it to Mr. Waffle (our chief laundry officer) on my return home he was quite taken with it.

They also had this fantastic “Diary of a Victorian Dandy” series. The pictures are nearly life size and very clever and striking in the flesh as it were.

After my afternoon of art, law and commerce I headed towards my brother and sister’s houses. My parents and my aunt lived next door to each other. My sister has bought my parents’ house and my brother is staying in my aunt’s so that the generational pattern is repeating. Neither of them likes it when you say that. My sister is getting lots of work done so I was staying with my brother and aside from being freezing, the house was fine. When will it stop being perishing?

On Saturday my sister and I went through one of the wardrobes in her house. It contained, I fear, a range of toys purchased for my children as well as clothes of my mother’s from the 80s. I was weirdly sad to see them go. I remembered her wearing that check coat. Still it was in good nick and someone else might find a use for it. I felt a bit sad bringing the bags into the charity shop all the same. Still it is done. I felt very virtuous afterwards until my sister suggested going through one side of the bookcase. Having briskly disposed of the clothes, I found the books much harder. I gave my sister a pile to bring in the car next time she comes to Dublin (I was travelling by bike and train which does not readily lend itself to transportation of large piles of books). She will, inter alia, be bringing to my house in Dublin a brochure printed in Cork in 1929 celebrating the centenary of catholic emancipation; King Albert’s book produced to help Belgium in World War I; a world atlas from 1958; and a Heath Robinson book of contraptions. Eclectic. Catholic even.

That evening we went to a long deferred birthday dinner for me. My brother had booked this rather nice restaurant; all three of us went and he paid. We had the tasting menu and we all waddled home contentedly after.

On Sunday I was up with the lark to get the train that got into Dublin at lunch time as I had my Sunday afternoon book club and I was determined not to miss it. And very pleasant it was too. I feel a bit tired today though after my weekend of middle-aged dissipation. And how was your own weekend?

Weekend Round Up – Extended Disco Remix

25 March, 2024
Posted in: Family, Siblings, Twins, Youngest Child

Thursday 21 March

My friend is a friend of the Druid theatre company. She got free (for a certain value of free) tickets to “A Shadow of a Gunman” and brought me along on Thursday. I am not Sean O’Casey’s biggest fan but I quite enjoyed it. There was an interview with the director and some of the actors afterwards. The director pointed out that we are very lucky to have a trio of plays set and written about the time of the founding of the State.

Apparently when “Shadow of a Gunman” (which saved the Abbey’s bacon financially) was first performed the fighting was still going on and the audience had to be warned that any gunshots they heard were part of the performance.

It’s set in a tenement that’s raided by the Black and Tans and I was reminded of Mr. Waffle’s grandmother’s story. Apparently she came home from school and the Black and Tans were barring access to her building. “I have to get in,” she said, “they’re raiding my flat.” “Aha,” said the soldier on the door, “how do you know it’s your flat that’s being raided?” “It’s always our flat,” she said wearily.

Friday 22 March

My sister came to Dublin bearing an enormous quantity of china which I have managed, with some difficulty, to house. She also brought an old kettle which I remember from when I was a child in our old house. Even I can’t explain why I want this.

I also found another recruit for my typewriter breeding programme. Michael has been enjoying playing with both but I have no idea why I have kept them.

Saturday

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, 23 March

My sister and I journeyed on the Luas and this very nice young woman offered me her seat. The absolute worst thing about this is that my sister was with me and I fear I will be tortured for eternity or at least until she is old enough to have people offer her a seat. This is the first time this has happened to me and I wouldn’t call myself entirely delighted.

Sunday, 24 March

Mr. Waffle and I went for a long cycle. We saw a quite worthwhile Orpen exhibition in the Phoenix Park which I would recommend. I didn’t know a lot about Orpen the man before going but he seems to have had quite the love life.

This girl is definitely his daughter:

Speculation is that this one might be also:

I came home exhausted and ended up playing a board game which, naturally, I lost. Very tiring. Michael was notified that he is to play the role of “Public Gar” in an exciting student production of “Philadelphia, Here I Come”. Stay tuned for updates.

Monday, 25 March

My father would have been 99 today. Maybe it’s not a total surprise that people are offering me a seat on public transport.

Did I Not Dance With You in Brabant Once?*

2 March, 2024
Posted in: Belgium, Mr. Waffle, Siblings, Work

I was at a round table event during the week. I was introduced to the chair and we looked at each other for a bit and I said, “Did I last meet you in an escape room?” I had. He is a buddy of my sister’s partner and we all went to an escape room for his (sister’s partner’s) birthday last year (look, it takes all kinds).

As I looked around the room there was another man who looked familiar. During a break in proceedings I asked him, “Were you by any chance working in [place] in Brussels in November 1998?” He confirmed – looking a bit puzzled, I have to say – that he was. “You were sitting beside me at dinner the night I met my husband,” I said to him. He was surprised. We both knew the birthday girl – a friend in common – but he had no recollection of the dinner. Look, more important to me than to him. We hadn’t met since but I recognised him because he was unchanged. He was a perfectly normal looking 50ish year old but he was a very old looking 30ish year old. He was bald as an egg then and very slender and, obviously, he’s still bald now and also, less obviously, still very slender.

As I was scuttling away after the event , I ran into the next group coming into the venue. One of them looked a bit familiar. I pressed on. She called out to me, “Don’t I know you?” I turned back. She is a friend of a friend who had twins last year. My friend suggested we meet to give her some advice – although as my twins are not 18 my advice was a bit…dated. When I gave out my advice, she was 7 months pregnant but she had had her babies since and was able to show me a photo of them on her phone and very cute they were too – they looked great and she looked great; obviously my advice was excellent.

Even by Irish standards where everybody knows everybody, this was a lot.

*The title for this post was suggested by my first born. It’s from “Love’s Labour’s Lost” apparently.

January Round Up

29 January, 2024
Posted in: Cork, Family, Ireland, Middle Child, Mr. Waffle, Princess, Reading etc., Siblings, Youngest Child

Herself went back to England. Alas alack. We will not see her until Easter at the earliest. She is a bit preoccupied about her post-college employment/study plans and fears that she may have to move back home. She’s appalled. I’m delighted but I feel that one of the many irons she has in the fire will mean that her worst fears will not be realised.

Here she is the day she got back to college dutifully preparing not to remove her nose from the grindstone for many months.

I went to Cork and had a January Christmas dinner with my siblings. Honestly, not as satisfactory as an actual Christmas dinner but not too bad. We went to the River Lee hotel which used to be Jury’s where we went for post communion and confirmation lunches but has now gone upmarket. It was grand. Busy. A bit pricey for what it was, I thought.

I went for a walk in the Lee Fields (very unusually not underwater) with my sister and her partner.

I totally lost track of time meaning that I had to cycle to the station at epic speeds weaving through Sunday strollers like a middle aged man in lycra trying to set a new personal best time. I made it with minutes to spare. It took a lot out of me.

Michael had his play. It wasn’t too bad and he was on stage a lot. But whatever way you slice it, Hamlet is a long, long play and I was exhausted by the time it was over. Obviously worse for Michael but he got to be on stage which I think he rather enjoyed. A couple of his friends turned up with a sign saying we love gravedigger number 2 and I was charmed.

Over the holidays, while Mr. Waffle and I were at work and Michael was at endless Hamlet rehearsals, Daniel stepped up to the plate and cooked dinner a number of times. It was absolutely delicious. These talents did not come from me. He also has a new haircut. The young people; would you be up to them etc.? He has also been concussed by the GAA – the bane of my life. He’s recovering but it’s taking the best part of a week. First his tooth, now his head. He’s mostly been exhausted for days and days but he went back to college today and is feeling a bit perkier after doing some theoretical physics.

We had some friends around to dinner which was great but also exhausting. Timing meant that we were supposed to have Mr. Waffle’s aunt (home from Australia) and the cousins over for dinner the following night but happily the aunt cancelled – I mean sorry not to see her and sorry she was not feeling up to it but pleased not to be doing a second large catering event on the trot. I skipped out to my Sunday afternoon bookclub with, well, a skip in my step.

Speaking of book clubs, my Monday night book club has had a change in its operating model for the first time in 25 years; there are 12 of us and this year we all got to pick a book a month for the next year; two people were happy not to suggest and so December is still open – honestly, possibly a relief. Normally it’s a bit of chat on the night and a consensus. I felt very much the weight of responsibility in picking my one book for the year. Herself says that it is unfair on me as under the old system, due to my domineering ways, I got to pick way more than one book a year. The jury is currently out for obvious reasons but the 2024 selection does look quite worthy. That said, very much enjoying “Yellowface”. You may guess which was my suggestion.

February: Yellowface
March: The Saint of Lost Things
April: The Bee Sting
May: Demon Copperhead
June: The Vulnerables
July & August: Life in the Balance and A Place of Greater Safety
September: Harlem Shuffle
October: Enlightenment
November: A Tale of Love and Darkness

As part of my new year’s resolution , Mr. Waffle and I have been to the cinema twice this month. We saw “Poor Things” (really still not the better of it) and “The Holdovers” (quite sweet but would have been definitely a better viewing experience in the run up to Christmas rather than after it). More scintillating cinema reviews as we get them.

In tooth related news, my electric toothbrush disappeared for 24 hours and I carried out extensive inquiries, even texting my cleaner. It turned out to be on the stairs hidden by a banister. It was on the stairs because I had put it there to go back upstairs after its little adventure at the charging station which, for reasons I will not bore you with, is downstairs (see I do hold some things back). Oh great was the rejoicing among my children whom I am constantly upbraiding for their inability to see things sitting on the steps waiting to go upstairs.

And, in further tooth related news, my dentist has decreed that I need another crown. This is my third in as many years. What is it about my 50s? Are my teeth all going to crumble and fall out of my mouth having worked perfectly for all these years? Apparently yes. And today as I sat at my desk eating a sandwich, my temporary crown (installed following a, frankly unpleasant, session in the dentist’s chair) fell out. Back to the dentist this evening. Reinstalling was fine really but I look forward to the moment at the end of February when my permanent crown is installed. Sigh.

This weekend, we went to a Burns night supper with our friends. We went for the first time in 2020 and little though I knew it then, it was to be our last big night out before the pandemic. It was weird to be back but in a good way. I felt like a veteran this time and was ready for the “Address to a Haggis“. We had such a nice evening – I do hope we make the cut again!

I went to IMMA for the first time in ages on Saturday. I am always a bit ambivalent about modern art and indeed I found the RDS audiovisual winners in general not to my taste. However, there is also an exhibition called “self-determination” about the new nation states (including Ireland) that were established in the wake of WWI and that was really fascinating. It runs until April so if you’re local, you have plenty of time to go and see it. If that doesn’t float your boat, you can also inspect nightmare bunny (may not be the name chosen by the artist) who is outside the main entrance.

I went for a walk with friends in the park and despite the fact that rain threatened, it did not rain and we had our walk, a scone after and a chance to inspect the millions of deer with which the park is overrun.

At mass last Sunday we had to fill in a survey about which mass time suits us best; the beginning of the end for some masses I’d say. It’s inevitable with all the priests getting so old. Next weekend is our new post-Covid bank holiday weekend in celebration of St Bridget whose feast day is on February 1 so the priest referred to her and quoted the opening lines of that lovely poem “Anois teacht an Earraigh“. This made me think of my mother whose birthday was on February 1 and who always quoted that poem at this time of year. She always really enjoyed celebrating her birthday and it makes me really happy that it now has a bank holiday devoted to it which she would really have liked. But somehow, as the priest said the poem, I found myself just feeling sad and missing her. That’s the way it goes, I guess.