First tyre factory in the world!

I noticed this plaque on the wall of the below pictured building on Stephen Street, Dublin 2.

It seems that "the first pneumatic tyre factory in the world was started here in 1889, to make tyres under John Boyd Dunlops patent of the 7th December 1888".

There's a little piece of history for you on this fine Sunday!

Florida inspired bedwear in Penneys

I met with Katie and Amy this morning in the Blanchardstown Centre.  Amy needed to buy some work clothes so we had a quick cup of coffee in Starbucks and then set off in to the shops.

I needed to get a few novelty items for a photo booth that I am doing in work so we had a quick browse in Penneys.  As we passed the homewares section we all admired this Florida/Miami inspired bedwear.  The pineapple picture frame took us right back to the many holidays that we all have spent in Key West!

Maud's Ice Cream

This is what greeted me when I went to my work car park this morning.

A huge big truck full of Maud's Ice Cream!

The cafe below my workplace now has ice cream for sale and if the weather stays good they are sure to need plenty of deliveries.  

Hard for me to focus in work though when I know there is lovely Maud's ice cream available right down the stairs from me!!!

Sunny days in Ireland

I think during the colder months in the Winter, Nick's Coffee gave out free coffee to over 65's in Ranelagh.  

Looks like they are continuing to do so!

It's been beautiful and sunny for the last day or two here in Ireland. I sat out on the grass for my lunch yesterday which was really enjoyable.  I took this pic of the sun which makes me happy to look at!

Speaking of lunch, I am back eating LCHF as I was eating waaay too much sugar lately.  So it was cheese and coffee with cream for lunch today and then chicken with lots of mayo for dinner for me today.  

I'm reading a fascinating book called "Stuffocation" which looks at the fact that we have more stuff than ever but yet it is not making us any happier.  Interesting to say the least.....

The Table has closed

On Easter morning we sat outside Starbucks as it was so mild. They gave us eggs when we paid for our coffee!

Bones walked up and down the hedging while we had our coffee. When he got bored of this he sauntered in to the cafe (!!!) and had to be quickly called out by us.

On the way to Locks Brasseries I noticed that The Table Restaurant (seemingly renamed The Table & Lennox) is now closed.  We had eaten here a few times and had enjoyed it.  We will miss The Table.

Locks Brasserie Portobello

Happy Easter everyone!

It was a beautiful day here in Ireland.  In the morning, we walked in to the city with the dog and hung out in St Stephen's Green.  On the way in we met our neighbour who has got a new Shi Tzu - really cute dog called Lady!

We were booked in for lunch in to Locks Brasserie at 2.30pm so we picked up a Dublin Bike and cycled down the canal.  It was a nice short cycle.

We've been wanting to visit Locks for a long while so I was very happy to be eating here today.

This restaurant is so pretty and is in such a nice setting facing out on to the Grand Canal.

We chose from the 2/3 course set menu.  The other alternative was a surprise 5 course tasting menu that you could pair wines with.

We ordered a bottle of Chilean Merlot which I really liked.

The bread was sourdough and potato bread and was served in a sack with warm beads in the bottom to keep the bread warm.

We were served an appetizer of Parmesan Churros with corn puree and compressed gem.

For starter, I chose the Oxtail Risotto which was very creamy, rich and delicious. 

Ciaran had the beetroot starter.  I had asked whether there were nuts in any of the dishes and had been assured there was none so it was a little annoying to see that this dish had candied walnuts in it.  I am allergic to them so if I had ordered this dish it would have been going straight back. 

My cod and lobster main was divine!

Sides were delicious.

Homemade croquettes and pumpkin mash (so good)

For Ciaran's main he had the Beef Cheeks with chorizo.  He found it very rich.

Chocolate Tart with passion fruit sorbet - we shared a dessert.

We had petit fours with coffee (handmade marshmallow and meringues with a fruit filling)

The portions may look small but were so rich and over the top that we really were very full by the time we finished.  The walk home helped us walk the food and wine off.  But we didn't have a whole lot of energy for much else and were asleep by 9pm!

What I'm watching....

I'm currently making my way through a box set of an Australian TV series called "A place called home"

Set in the 1950's it reminds me somewhat of The Thornbirds with a story of forbidden love and life on an Australian homestead. Throw in a mysterious past of the main character, one Sr. Adams played by Marta Dusseldorp, and you've got a gripping tale that will keep you entertained.