Ireland day 0755. Monday 23 October 2023- Prep Work *

Ireland day 0755. Monday 23 October 2023- Prep Work

Today’s summary	Spent the day doing some prep work for the possible up-coming consultancy project, then went on a quick walk round the demesne while Val was at work. In the evening spoke to family in Canada
Today’s weather	Bright and sunny in the morning but cloudy and dull for the rest of the day. Moderate south easterly wind. Appx 14c

Today’s overview location (The grey mark shows the location of my route)		Close-up location (The orange line shows where I walked) (Click button below to download GPX of today’s walk as recorded, or see interactive map at bottom with elevations corrected): Demesne after day working at home

Commentary

(Summary blog only. Last full blog was Day 0368).

It seems strange to report that I have spent the day writing proposals, scrutinising PowerPoints, and making phone calls. But, after a gap of nearly seven years, that’s exactly what I have been doing, in preparation for the consultancy project that I may be starting in a couple of weeks’ time. (I say “may” because nothing is confirmed yet). I must say I found it quite refreshing and it was good to use my brain to think about something other than how to integrate into a new country, how to plan walks, and how to do my tax return. Anyway, even if nothing more comes of it, I’ve enjoyed it so far.

Needless to say, after an unaccustomed day of brain-work, by the end of the afternoon I was feeling quite tired. So I downed tools about 5pm and went for a short walk round the demesne to get some fresh air before it got dark and started raining again. I really enjoyed it, though I have spotted worrying signs that the dreaded Phytophthera fungal infection which has killed a couple of the giant redwoods at the Botanic Garden, may be putting in an appearance here in Malahide. Lets hope it burns itself out before it kills many more of these magnificent trees.

Shortly after I got back, Val returned from work and we spent the rest of the evening enjoying a delicious roast lamb dinner than Val cooked up and then had a long video call with family over in Canada. Now it’s time to get back to our “new” TV and watch a few more documentaries about the Tour de France. Great fun all-round!

Today’s photos (click to enlarge)


Lots of holly berries everywhere this year (and also it seems in the UK) – maybe presaging a cold winter, though on recent performance that seems unlikely	A few trees in the demesne seem to have succumbed to the deadly Phytophthera which felled the magnificent redwoods in the Botanic Garden. This, in the golf course by the castle, is another of the victims

This is another victim, by the car park (though a few branches seem to be hanging on for dear life)	Canopy-scope



I continue to hope that this one doesn’t succumb, as it’s a beautiful tree