12th Lock, Castleknock

I arranged to meet with my two besties for brunch this morning. Amy chose the meeting place of the 12th Lock Hotel in Castleknock (on the Royal Canal) which was an excellent choice.

Look how amazing the area is!

There were a few barges moored at the lock.

I think an old mill was knocked down to allow for this apartment block to be built.

This is the 12th Lock - it is a small 12 bedroom hotel.

I like the ships wheel feature on the front door.

Amy and I had rashers and eggs while Alice got Eggs Royale (smoked salmon and spinach) 

Amy and I had coffee and then sprung for a second one - no free refills here, as per usual in Ireland!

We also brought our own pouring cream for our coffee,

Robin Red Breast Hatchlings

These adorable little baby birds are in my parents garage!

Over the past while, the Mammy and Daddy Robins have been building the nest and then she laid five eggs which went on to hatch.

Honestly these are cutest little things ever - they look like balls of wire wool.  You can see them taking breaths but not a whole lot else.

My mother has seen them awake with five wide open mouths looking at her.

How great is it to be this close to nature?!  

Shopping Haul - Marks & Spencer's

As I mentioned yesterday I went shopping with my sisters for work clothes for Amy.  I couldn't resist trying on a few items and ended up buying these two dresses from M&S.

I'm calling this a Cocktail Dress because of the print on the fabric!

This is a kind of unusual retro looking dress.  I plan on wearing it with a belt.

The collar is a cute little detail.

Both dresses were a real steal at 70% off!

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.....