Ireland day 1415. Wednesday 13 August 2025- Walking on Eir

Today’s summary	Spent the morning and early afternoon in Malahide. Did some shopping and cooked a Mexican chicken dish from Donnybrook Fair for dinner. Another warm day so we were able to sit on the balcony for lunch. Went into Dublin for Spanish in the evening and Val joined me on the trip in so we could go to the Eir shop in Grafton St to get our contracts extended.
Today’s weather	Warm dry and sunny again. Light southerly wind. Appx 22c

Today’s overview location (The blue mark shows the location of our route)		Close-up location (The blue line shows where we walked) (No GPX today)

Commentary

It’s been a low key day, mainly, today. But – like yesterday – it’s been quite mild and sunny, which makes living a lot easier than when it’s cold and wet all the time.

So once we’d got up and sorted ourselves out, I went into Malahide and got some ingredients for lunch and dinner. It was warm enough (at least until the sun went behind a tree) to have our lunch on the balcony, like yesterday. So we enjoyed our oatcakes, snacks and hummus alfresco, to the harmonious accompaniment of the diesel trains throbbing away in the station just a stone’s throw from our flat.

After lunch, we continued with our low-key agenda and I did some Spanish preparation while Val did some sewing. Then I put the dinner on, which today consists of Mexican chicken with mashed potatoes and roast vegetables, which I bought in Donnybrook Fair this morning while I was out on my travels.

Once we’d eaten, at about 3:45, we got our things together and headed into Dublin. Our first port of call was the Eir shop in Grafton Street. Our mobile phone contracts were due to run out today and unless you go into the shop and negotiate a discount, the charges virtually double. Why do they have to make it so hard?

After that, Val walked round to Dawson St so she could call in at Hodges & Figgis to buy a book. I, meanwhile walked back to the Cervantes Institute for another pretty gruelling 3 hour Spanish session. It’s hard going but I’m already halfway through. So only a couple more weeks to go!

I’m looking forward to getting back to the flat now and putting my feet up with a G&T. It’s always important to have an end-of-day treat to look forward to.

Today’s photos (click to enlarge)


Some of the stuff that these “upmarket” shops sell baffles me. How can a cup of tea made from seaweed and nettles “support normal thyroid function”?	The Japanes-ey garden opposite Tesco near the Malahide green. It’s looking very attractive at the moment. But then again, with the good weather, so is everywhere

The Eir shop in Grafton Street. The staff were actually quite friendly and helpful. We managed to negotiate €10 per month discounts but at €25pm even after the discount, I still think it’s a lot more than we would be paying for the equivalent service in the UK	Text here

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Feet up on the balcony. Hurrah for the warmer weather