belgianwaffle

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.

Draw Partner!


Posted in: Reading etc.

A couple of years ago, I made a new year’s resolution to try to draw something every day. I have fallen laughably short. I was inspired by someone (possibly Ruskin?) who said that even if you’re terrible at art you should try to draw what you see in galleries as that helps you to appreciate the painting. I do sketch a bit in galleries and I am terrible at it but it does help me to appreciate paintings more. I am surprised too to discover that I have a style of drawing that is all my own (like handwriting, I suppose). Should you be so inclined, I recommend this as a new year’s resolution for you.

Golden? Would you say Silence is Golden?


Posted in: Family, Mr. Waffle

I have Scholl sandals with wooden soles. I tend to wear them instead of slippers in the summer. The family hate them; I’m sure they’re good for my feet so I persist in the face of general disapproval. Mr. Waffle remarked, to general acclaim, at one point, “In summer, a mysterious figure stalks the house, I like to call her Madame de Clompidour”.

That is all. Unless you have an annoying slipper story of your own to share?

Sport, Commerce and the Arts


Posted in: Reading etc.

I played a tennis match this morning (won, thanks for asking), I went to the RDS to the craft fair this afternoon (enormous and a bit exhausting) and I went to “Fanny and Alexander” this evening. I’m not quite sure what possessed me to go to a 189 minute film by Ingmar Bergman initially released in 1982. But I’m really glad I went; it is quite beautiful. Though long and weird in parts.

Saint Nicolas


Posted in: Belgium, Family, Middle Child, Princess, Twins, Youngest Child

He came – after all these years. As I write one of the Dublin based children is still in bed, so possibly excitement levels are not what they once were. But look, it’s the thought that counts!

I guess it’s a long time since 2006.