Ireland day 1263. Friday 14 March 2025- Guests Depart

Today’s summary	Took our friends to the airport in the morning then went on to Ikea and Decathlon to do some shopping and get lunch. In the afternoon, Val went on a run and I went on a short walk round the marina and inspected the unusually low tide. Salad for dinner then some “Mad Men” and an early night.
Today’s weather	Dry bright and sunny most of the day but clouded over and almost rained first thing in the morning. Light easterly wind. Appx 7c

Today’s overview location (The green 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): Low Tide Hanlons Lane circuit

Commentary

Our guests had a lunchtime flight back to Liverpool this afternoon, so after breakfast we ran them round to the airport in plenty of time to catch their plane. We meanwhile, rather than returning to the slight sadness of an empty flat, headed on from the airport down to Ikea. There wasn’t anything specific that we needed, but it’s always interestingly laid out and it’s quite a good place to go for inspiration about how you might furnish your home in the the future.

We resisted the temptation to come away laden with furniture (though the “Poäng” easy-chair was attractive – and quite reasonably priced). But we did treat ourselves to a pot plant and some sandwich bags. We certainly know how to splash the cash. While we were there, we also got a light lunch – I had a salmon salad and Val had vegetable soup. Both were good.

After lunch, we pottered across the road to Decathlon where Val bought an inflatable exercise ball. Once back in the flat later that afternoon, we started the post-guest washing and tidying and – of course – enjoyed a cup of tea. Subsequently, Val went on a run round the demesne while I walked down to the shops to check out the ultra-low tide, and to get some milk.

Dinner was a low-key affair of left-over salad (which was actually delicious) then we passed the evening with a couple of episodes of “Mad Men”. An early night then beckons, as we both have an early start tomorrow and need to be in good form when we get up. Onwards and upwards!

Today’s photos (click to enlarge)


Ikea! Lots of things to buy and all so temptingly laid out too. We escaped lightly with just a potted plant and some sandwich bags. They also do quite good value lunches.	Dublin-bound nonstop express racing through Malahide station just as I was crossing the bridge to the shops

I think today’s spring tide, at just 0.12m, is probably the lowest of this lunar cycle	Mud flats shimmering in the low tide

The Marina office block seemingly hanging in thin air – left high and dry by the receding waters	Well – there is the Casino block of flats where we live, and there is the Casino model railway museum where Val works. But Malahide also boasts a real casino too – though I have to say I have never seen anyone going in or coming out, so I don’t actually know if it’s even still operating

Much to my surprise, from Ikea this lunchtime a dusting of snow was clearly visible on the Dublin mountains. It must have fallen during the cloudy spell we had first thing in the morning