Regular readers will recall that the Princess and I made mint essence over the summer. When we took it out from its cool dark place after a month of resting, we strained out the mint and tasted it. It looked a revolting brown colour. It smelt absolutely vile and, I regret to tell you that it tasted revolting. That’s €20 worth of vodka literally down the drain. Next time, we’ll just buy peppermint essence. Sigh.
The Tooth Fairy Hovers on the Edge of Bankruptcy
Daniel has lost a lot of teeth recently. Who knew that 11 was a big age for losing baby teeth?
Busy Times
Last week was a bit horrendous. I had parents’ council on Tuesday night, open night for what may be the boys’ school on Wednesday and a play on Thursday. The play was about how Irish society treats Travellers (appallingly) and I left the theatre staggering under the weight of my guilt for being complicit in really dreadful prejudice and treatment. It was worthy but it wasn’t exactly a fun night out. On Friday night I went to Cork leaving Mr. Waffle to manage collecting Herself from French class, minding the boys (including getting the hairdresser in to give them a haircut) and letting in Falling Fruit who were volunteering to collect the apples from our three trees and give them to good causes. He managed. Partly because Herself was sick and couldn’t go to French class. But it was all a bit much. Still, I am delighted that our apple harvest is being used rather than rotting on the grass.
We’re All Very Funny
Herself: I really admire farmers who don’t use chemicals.
Me (surprised): Do you?
Her: Yes, it must be so hard to grow things in a vacuum.
Me: Good one.
Her: Yes, and it helps tell the wheat from the chaff.
Me: Which am I?
Her: Well, I’m not a farmer so I’m not sure which is the good one, but the good one.
Belfast
We got a cheap family day return to Belfast on the train and, with some trepidation, we signed up for it. We were a bit worried that it was too far from Dublin for a day trip and, to be honest, it was.
We set off at nine in the morning. We got to Belfast about 11 and headed for the Titanic Quarter. Attentive readers will recall that we visited the Titanic exhibition over the summer. This time our destination was the W5 science museum. We spent about 45 minutes waiting in the station for the train to the Titanic Quarter. For some reason, I thought it was further away than it was. We could easily have walked it in less time. This led to certain low level tetchiness among the troops as we waited.
Things started to look up when we reached our destination. The local market was celebrating a year in operation and chose to do this by getting in people dressed as Storm Troopers. Whatever floats your boat, I guess. The children were charmed.
Mr. Waffle and I enjoyed seeing the Storm Troopers surround and take over a PSNI vechicle.
Two worlds collide.
The museum itself was pretty good and the children enjoyed it. There was plenty of science.
There was also a climbing space which the children enjoyed very much but was only linked tangentially to science. Overall, well worth a visit.
After spending the afternoon in the museum, we decided to go into the city centre for dinner before going home. Belfast is lovely and still pretty much tourist free so we quite enjoyed wandering around. Daniel commented on the quality of the cycling infrastructure; possibly we speak too much about this at home. “Look,” he said, “segregated cycling provision.” “Mmm yes,” said Mr. Waffle, “everything is segregated here.”
We went to Milano’s for dinner which was busy. The clientele seemed a little more upmarket than their equivalents in the South: more snazzily dressed couples, fewer frazzled families.
We got the late train home about 8 and everyone was pretty grumpy and tired by the time we actually got home. Nevertheless, we would all definitely go again. Not on a day trip though. Overall, I’m taking this as a win.
Being Irish
Over the summer, two rowers from west Cork won silver medals at the Olympics. The nation went crazy. I did not as I was on my summer holidays in Brittany and was not swept up in the madness.
I was on the phone to my sister who told me all about it.
Me (as the tale concluded): V. exciting. Do we know them at all as they are from Cork and we are honour bound to have a connection to all Cork people?
Her: Well, no, but their aunt is in my pilates class.
Some kind of point proved here, I feel.
