Thursday was the designated golf day. We all caught the train to Howth, a little fishing village about 30 minutes from Dublin. Howth boasts two golf courses, Howth and Deer Park. The boys took a cab to Deer Park and Annie and I set off to explore. The idea was to find a spot to sit and spread out to do some artwork. However, the air was damp and chilly, the sky was heavily overcast with poor light so creativity didn't seem on the cards. We started off in Starbucks, an unlikely pit stop for us, almost akin to McDonalds. However, Starbucks had something we needed, namely a toilet, so in we went. It was surprisingly pleasant inside, warm and cosy, comfy chairs and great coffee.
Unfortunately, while partaking of coffee and cake, I received a video call from Albany regarding the kitchen cold tap not working. As it is connected to our rainwater tank, I was trying to direct my daughter how to turn it back to the main supply. Suddenly, a woman leapt in front of me, gesticulating wildly. You'd think she would be shrieking abuse to match but although her lips were frantically moving, it was a muffled voice that gave vent to her displeasure. So soft in fact that not only could we not hear what she was saying, but in what language she was saying it. Could very well have been the Gaelic.
Unfortunately, while partaking of coffee and cake, I received a video call from Albany regarding the kitchen cold tap not working. As it is connected to our rainwater tank, I was trying to direct my daughter how to turn it back to the main supply. Suddenly, a woman leapt in front of me, gesticulating wildly. You'd think she would be shrieking abuse to match but although her lips were frantically moving, it was a muffled voice that gave vent to her displeasure. So soft in fact that not only could we not hear what she was saying, but in what language she was saying it. Could very well have been the Gaelic.
Suitably chastened, I fled to the street outside to sort out the plumbing problem. Eventually the lever was located under the sink, flicked to the other side and water was restored to the cold tap in the kitchen at 45 Hill St. The call ended, I returned to the warmth of Starbucks and the woman whose hackles I had raised with my rowdiness promptly left, obviously too incensed to remain in my presence.
Not long after, we also left and commenced trekking up what appeared to be the main street of Howth. We popped in and out of quaint little shops including McGirk's Golf Shop where I bought a pullover, a cap and some golf balls. At another little shop selling everything from gifts to clothes, bags and shoes, I bought a shirt greatly reduced in cost while Annie found some lovely Christmas decorations for half price.
The cold was taking it's toll though, so when we stumbled across a restaurant overlooking the town's graveyard and the harbour beyond, we decided it was time for lunch. The Boqueria was lovely and warm, with a log fire adding to the ambience. We chose a shared meal for two, consisting of four courses of tasters with a coffee to follow. Delicious and enjoyable.
Eventually, however, we left to take a turn around the graveyard. St Mary's Cemetery seemed fairly unique to us in that although a lot of the graves date back to the early 1800s, there were plenty of recent burials. There were some headstones with no inscription that looked ancient so perhaps it dates back further in time.
After our fill of O'Connors (Anne's birth name) and O'Rourkes, it was time to meet the golfers at The Bloody Stream Hotel, so named because it was built over an ancient stream which become bloodied after a battle fought there centuries ago. The boys enjoyed a bracing game of golf, complete with five minutes of sunshine, a few lost balls and wet socks from the quagmire underfoot. They were starving so had some lunch while Annie and I shared a piece of apple pie and ice cream. Then it was back on the train to Dublin. Dinner was a mish mash of Mexican burritos and pizza followed by yet more rounds of Canasta.
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