Ireland day 1122. Thursday 24 October 2024- Bits and Pieces

Today’s summary	Spent the day in and around Malahide. Val had a meeting about “Wonderlights” in the morning and I went to the bank and library. Finished off my Spanish homework then after lunch Val went on a run and I joined a webinar on economics then walked out to Centra but didn’t stop. Val had a webinar on plants in the evening and then after salmon dinner, we watched TV
Today’s weather	Overcast with a few spots of rain. Moderate southerly wind. Appx 15c

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): Centra but no snacks

Commentary

Today was one of those days that was made up of lots of bits and pieces of things but at the end of it, it was quite hard to say what we had actually achieved.

So first thing, once we were up and about and suitably breakfasted, Val headed off to the castle to join a meeting about the forthcoming “Wonderlights” season. While she was out, I went to the bank and called into the library to collect a book I had ordered. (It’s “The Spinning Heart” by Donal Ryan and for some reason I have been given a large-print edition. I am not quite sure why but perhaps people of my age are supposed to have failing eyesight?).

Then, of course, there was my Spanish homework to finish off, which comfortably filled yet another hour. I am continually amazed at just how bad I am at Spanish, considering how many hours I put in to learning it. I guess it’s another manifestation of age. Once I’d finished and Val was back, we had a light lunch and relaxed briefly for a coffee.

Next on the agenda was a webinar for me, this time on the economics of the petrochemical industry in a rapidly changing world. Very interesting – lots to think about (especially on the impacts of an aging world with an increasing proportion of the population getting older and not spending anything). After that, Val went on a run and I headed off up the coast towards Centra on another of my favourite loop walks. But I resisted the temptation to go in and stock up on coffee and snacks. This diet is hard work, I must say, but in the last month I think I have lost approximately 1.5kg of weight, which is a step in the right direction.

Once more back in the flat, it was Val’s turn to go online – her webinar this evening was about medicinal plants for the skin, and she seemed to enjoy it. I got a glass of wine and made a salmon salad dinner while she was doing that, then read my large-print book. A bit of TV viewing later will round off the day nicely, I think.

Today’s photos (click to enlarge)


The trusty 102, outside St Sylvester’s church, ready to set off to Sutton	Down on the Green, looking over to the mini-Tesco

Imposing oak – still got most of its leaves – by the cricket pitch in the demesne	Antirrhinums in the boat-flowerbed at the entrance to Killeen park



The path between Milford and Cave’s Strand has reopened. The alternative via the road isn’t so scenic