Poor Steve. He got his tounge burnt.
Been there. Done that...twice this week.
Thursday, 27 September 2007
Wednesday, 26 September 2007
Oh, To Be in Tullamore in September
I regularly go along to a couple of our homeless centres to lead morning prayers. This morning I headed for the Granby Centre which is across the other side of the city from where I live. If I'm in anyway organised I leave with plenty of time to get through the notorious Dublin traffic. Today was one of those days - but for some reason the traffic was lighter than usual.
(I suspect everyone is in Tullamore.)
Approaching my destination I passed a Spar convenience store and a sign outside for Tim Horton's Donuts caught my eye! I've told you before that I'm a sucker for donuts and Horton's are a great import from Canada. For me, they rank up there with Dunkin' Donuts, but still just a smidge lower than Krispy Kreme - these later two currently unavailable in Ireland :-(
Noticing that time was on my side I swiftly pulled over and went for a Boston Creme. There was also an automatic coffee machine with the selection of sweet, sweet nuts of dough. Naturally, I pressed the button marked 'Regular Latte'. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the coffee was - better than some served by so called baristas, especially the ones who where a long black cloak and where a silly wig!
I returned to my car a sat for a few moments enjoying this unexpected delight. The world just seems a better place when you have coffee and donuts in the car.
Turning on the car radio I listened to a news article from the popular National Ploughing Championships in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Attendees were being asked why they come to the show yer after year. Here's my favourite answer: "I like tractors. And cows."
:-)
(I suspect everyone is in Tullamore.)
Approaching my destination I passed a Spar convenience store and a sign outside for Tim Horton's Donuts caught my eye! I've told you before that I'm a sucker for donuts and Horton's are a great import from Canada. For me, they rank up there with Dunkin' Donuts, but still just a smidge lower than Krispy Kreme - these later two currently unavailable in Ireland :-(
Noticing that time was on my side I swiftly pulled over and went for a Boston Creme. There was also an automatic coffee machine with the selection of sweet, sweet nuts of dough. Naturally, I pressed the button marked 'Regular Latte'. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the coffee was - better than some served by so called baristas, especially the ones who where a long black cloak and where a silly wig!
I returned to my car a sat for a few moments enjoying this unexpected delight. The world just seems a better place when you have coffee and donuts in the car.
Turning on the car radio I listened to a news article from the popular National Ploughing Championships in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Attendees were being asked why they come to the show yer after year. Here's my favourite answer: "I like tractors. And cows."
:-)
Sunday, 23 September 2007
Preparing for Take Off
Chemical asked for advice about where to get a good cup of coffee while traveling through Dublin Airport. Great question.
Airports can be stressful, highly-strung locations. You'll need to relax. The only thing that helps in a situation like that for cooling you down, lowering your heart rate and stopping you from needing to use the on board facilities mid-flight is a large cup of fully charged caffeine. Wait. Scratch that idea. That's useless advice. Try this:
Let's start with getting to the airport. If you're driving down the motorway from Northern Ireland (don't forget tolls in euro only) there's actually no where on the road to stop. The ever expanding route of the M1 is great, but as of yet no motorway services. I travel this road quite frequently and have yet to find somewhere decent to stop, occasionally opting for the Half Door just at the border (ROI side).
If you are travelling by train I'm not much help. I've only done it once and was served instant coffee - bleh! However, the train does take you into the city centre (practically) and there are loads of coffee shops around. I might recommend O'Brien's Coffee on Abbey Street (The LUAS from the station will take you there) although there a plenty of independent cafes hidden about - seek and ye shall find.
At the airport there are a few choices. On the mezzanine floor above check-in there is an O'Brien's, but I find it a bit hit-and-miss. Probably the best option is the Bewleys Cafe on the mezz although that whole area is always really busy. (I'm not sure if there are any dedicated Bewley's Cafes left anywhere else. Shame. I kind of miss the Oriental on Grafton Street - it's now a restaurant.) There are a collection of Cafe Ritazzas scattered around the airport, but they always seem to make the coffee incredibly hot which means you either can't finish it before going through security or take-off! I think there is a Nude cafe somewhere (dress code optional). They serve Fairtrade coffee.
After going through security (will you have to remove your shoes today?) you could try out Butlers Chocolate Cafe. I have a friend who raves about Butlers. I wasn't quite so impressed with the over priced latte, but I shouldn't really judge their whole chain by one visit to an airport branch. That said, you do get a "complimentary" hand made chocolate with every drink so that may swing it for you.
If you are one of those people who gets to the airport with loads of time to spare (beware - security at Dublin can be long and slow) you could always pop down the road to the Inca Coffee Lounge at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, or the brand new Bewley's Hotel. I dare you to risk taking the shuttle bus just for coffee!!
As for drinking coffee on the plane I've yet to have a decent cup of coffee at 30,000 feet anywhere in the world and I certainly would not bring myself to pay for the privilege - rip-off no frills airlines.
So anyway, I could have made this all a lot simpler by just posting this link to the list of cafes in Dublin Airport, but it has been fun thinking about the different options.
Let me know what you choose when you're there and if it was any good. I have a very early flight in a couple of weeks and will certainly need a reliable fix.
Airports can be stressful, highly-strung locations. You'll need to relax. The only thing that helps in a situation like that for cooling you down, lowering your heart rate and stopping you from needing to use the on board facilities mid-flight is a large cup of fully charged caffeine. Wait. Scratch that idea. That's useless advice. Try this:
Let's start with getting to the airport. If you're driving down the motorway from Northern Ireland (don't forget tolls in euro only) there's actually no where on the road to stop. The ever expanding route of the M1 is great, but as of yet no motorway services. I travel this road quite frequently and have yet to find somewhere decent to stop, occasionally opting for the Half Door just at the border (ROI side).
If you are travelling by train I'm not much help. I've only done it once and was served instant coffee - bleh! However, the train does take you into the city centre (practically) and there are loads of coffee shops around. I might recommend O'Brien's Coffee on Abbey Street (The LUAS from the station will take you there) although there a plenty of independent cafes hidden about - seek and ye shall find.
At the airport there are a few choices. On the mezzanine floor above check-in there is an O'Brien's, but I find it a bit hit-and-miss. Probably the best option is the Bewleys Cafe on the mezz although that whole area is always really busy. (I'm not sure if there are any dedicated Bewley's Cafes left anywhere else. Shame. I kind of miss the Oriental on Grafton Street - it's now a restaurant.) There are a collection of Cafe Ritazzas scattered around the airport, but they always seem to make the coffee incredibly hot which means you either can't finish it before going through security or take-off! I think there is a Nude cafe somewhere (dress code optional). They serve Fairtrade coffee.
After going through security (will you have to remove your shoes today?) you could try out Butlers Chocolate Cafe. I have a friend who raves about Butlers. I wasn't quite so impressed with the over priced latte, but I shouldn't really judge their whole chain by one visit to an airport branch. That said, you do get a "complimentary" hand made chocolate with every drink so that may swing it for you.
If you are one of those people who gets to the airport with loads of time to spare (beware - security at Dublin can be long and slow) you could always pop down the road to the Inca Coffee Lounge at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, or the brand new Bewley's Hotel. I dare you to risk taking the shuttle bus just for coffee!!
As for drinking coffee on the plane I've yet to have a decent cup of coffee at 30,000 feet anywhere in the world and I certainly would not bring myself to pay for the privilege - rip-off no frills airlines.
So anyway, I could have made this all a lot simpler by just posting this link to the list of cafes in Dublin Airport, but it has been fun thinking about the different options.
Let me know what you choose when you're there and if it was any good. I have a very early flight in a couple of weeks and will certainly need a reliable fix.
Friday, 21 September 2007
Return to Malahide
I went back to Malahide today to do the street collecting on the right day this time.
Last week when I wasn't meant to be there the sun was shining and someone gave me three umbrellas. This week when I was meant to be there....
Anyway, I took a coffee break in an independent cafe and sat at a table outside. My latte was nicely presented in a tall glass cup with a handle (I don't like it when they put coffee in a glass that could otherwise be used for a coke. Unless of course they do that fancy thing of tying a serviette around the glass so you don't burn your fingers). Unfortunately it wasn't very tasty.
However, there did seem to be a tasty bit of gossip going on at the table next to me. Complaining about someone and how they work. Or something like that. I couldn't quite make out everything they were saying and I think pushing my coffee away then leaning to the other side of the table to reach it was starting to look obvious. I left them to it safe in the knowledge that they probably were not talking about me.
So here's an ethical/moral/spiritual question: If it is wrong to gossip about someone, is it just as wrong to listen to it even if you don't know any of the people involved? (And, um, is it wrong to listen in to someone in a public place anyway?)
Last week when I wasn't meant to be there the sun was shining and someone gave me three umbrellas. This week when I was meant to be there....
Anyway, I took a coffee break in an independent cafe and sat at a table outside. My latte was nicely presented in a tall glass cup with a handle (I don't like it when they put coffee in a glass that could otherwise be used for a coke. Unless of course they do that fancy thing of tying a serviette around the glass so you don't burn your fingers). Unfortunately it wasn't very tasty.
However, there did seem to be a tasty bit of gossip going on at the table next to me. Complaining about someone and how they work. Or something like that. I couldn't quite make out everything they were saying and I think pushing my coffee away then leaning to the other side of the table to reach it was starting to look obvious. I left them to it safe in the knowledge that they probably were not talking about me.
So here's an ethical/moral/spiritual question: If it is wrong to gossip about someone, is it just as wrong to listen to it even if you don't know any of the people involved? (And, um, is it wrong to listen in to someone in a public place anyway?)
Saturday, 15 September 2007
Malahide
Every year The Salvation Army does a stint of collecting funds from the public to help run its social service work. Here in Dublin the money is raised for our four excellent homeless centers. We work together as a group to do collections in some shopping areas around greater Dublin. One of those areas is a lovely little town called Malahide just to the north of the city, an hour or so from were we live. Every year I go to Malahide I think to myself that I should come back again one day just to visit and enjoy one of their cafes.
Arriving in the town today I parked the car then made my way to the post where we usually stand. No other collectors were around so I searched a few streets, but to no avail. A quick phone call to one of the people organising the collecting revealed that I wasn't supposed to be there until next week!
Eejit!
I figured there was no point in jumping straight back in the car for another hour long drive across heavy traffic so I went in search of coffee. I soon noticed a new addition to the outlets of caffeine. Can you guess who it is?
Part of me thinks it is particularly sad to want to boast the claim of visiting all the Starbucks in Ireland - and yet I'm drawn in. (10 of 13 so far. Cork airport is going to prove a little tricky)
While I sat and enjoyed a latte and flick through the paper one of the staff was doing the rounds of the tables with a handful of umbrellas. It would seem that a number of people had left their brollys and hadn't returned to claim them so he was giving them away to whoever wanted them. Everyone said no. (Out of embarrassment? Afraid of where it's been? I'm sure some interesting sociological study could be done to explain people's reaction). Anyway, the guy finally got to me and I said I'd take them for our homeless centres thereby justifying my premature trip to Malahide.
Another opportunity to try a different cafe next week!
Arriving in the town today I parked the car then made my way to the post where we usually stand. No other collectors were around so I searched a few streets, but to no avail. A quick phone call to one of the people organising the collecting revealed that I wasn't supposed to be there until next week!
Eejit!
I figured there was no point in jumping straight back in the car for another hour long drive across heavy traffic so I went in search of coffee. I soon noticed a new addition to the outlets of caffeine. Can you guess who it is?
Part of me thinks it is particularly sad to want to boast the claim of visiting all the Starbucks in Ireland - and yet I'm drawn in. (10 of 13 so far. Cork airport is going to prove a little tricky)
While I sat and enjoyed a latte and flick through the paper one of the staff was doing the rounds of the tables with a handful of umbrellas. It would seem that a number of people had left their brollys and hadn't returned to claim them so he was giving them away to whoever wanted them. Everyone said no. (Out of embarrassment? Afraid of where it's been? I'm sure some interesting sociological study could be done to explain people's reaction). Anyway, the guy finally got to me and I said I'd take them for our homeless centres thereby justifying my premature trip to Malahide.
Another opportunity to try a different cafe next week!
Wednesday, 5 September 2007
Cloudscape
As I ordered a cup of coffee this evening the barista at Starbucks said they would be closing in about 15 mins, but there was no rush and I could stay a while. It proved good advice.
I took a recently vacated seat next to a window. Outside was a small lane with a low wall allowing me a clear view across the wide street opposite the store. My gaze lifted up and became entranced for a moment by the scene in the sky.
I returned to my book and read half a page before putting it down again. The words would still be there later. The cloudscape wouldn't.
I don't know the scientific name for the clouds that had formed, but that didn't seem in the slightest bit important. They just stretched off into the distance with patches of brilliant blue revealed then hidden as the scene shifted miles above my head.
The clouds were expertly lit by The Director of Photography. This evening, he surely was painting with light. The shades in the pre-sunset sky seemed to call out, 'I'll give you one more show today if you stop and look.' The balance of light and shade brought out the full dimensions of the clouds with a warmth of colour that I don't know how to describe except a graceful splatter of rich, creamy vanilla ice cream. That yellow kind that they make in the quality dairies of Devon.
Delicious.
And then the light faded and it was gone. A unique piece of artwork. Just for me?
I took a recently vacated seat next to a window. Outside was a small lane with a low wall allowing me a clear view across the wide street opposite the store. My gaze lifted up and became entranced for a moment by the scene in the sky.
I returned to my book and read half a page before putting it down again. The words would still be there later. The cloudscape wouldn't.
I don't know the scientific name for the clouds that had formed, but that didn't seem in the slightest bit important. They just stretched off into the distance with patches of brilliant blue revealed then hidden as the scene shifted miles above my head.
The clouds were expertly lit by The Director of Photography. This evening, he surely was painting with light. The shades in the pre-sunset sky seemed to call out, 'I'll give you one more show today if you stop and look.' The balance of light and shade brought out the full dimensions of the clouds with a warmth of colour that I don't know how to describe except a graceful splatter of rich, creamy vanilla ice cream. That yellow kind that they make in the quality dairies of Devon.
Delicious.
And then the light faded and it was gone. A unique piece of artwork. Just for me?
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
Dragon's Rest
Driving home from a miserable holiday (don't ask. It involves lots of vomit!) we stopped at a cafe in North Wales as we headed for the boat back over to Ireland.
The 'Dragon's Rest' is a quaint cafe serving the usual sort of toasted sandwiches, jacket potatoes and cooked breakfasts that are typical of roadside eateries. Their marketing ploy of painting CAFE in huge letters on the roof obviously worked on us as we clearly saw it from the road and pulled off. We sat upstairs and admired the view: beautiful rolling hills with flecks of white that I presumed were sheep.
Following lunch I ordered a latte to take away with me - although they called it a 'milky coffee' which, I suppose, is an accurate English translation of cafe latte. While paying for my coffee I asked what the story was regarding a couple of posters they had on the wall petitioning to 'Stop the Truck Stop'. Apparently there are plans afoot to transform my polka dot hill into a big restaurant and shops.
The good folks of the Dragon's Rest and other concerned local citizens are not taking the idea lightly and started a blog to provide updates as to what is happening and what you can do. You can read about it here. Although the deadline for raising objections passed a few weeks ago I will continue to stop by their blog every now and then to see how the story unfolds.
So raise your milky coffee with me and say, "Power to the people".
The 'Dragon's Rest' is a quaint cafe serving the usual sort of toasted sandwiches, jacket potatoes and cooked breakfasts that are typical of roadside eateries. Their marketing ploy of painting CAFE in huge letters on the roof obviously worked on us as we clearly saw it from the road and pulled off. We sat upstairs and admired the view: beautiful rolling hills with flecks of white that I presumed were sheep.
Following lunch I ordered a latte to take away with me - although they called it a 'milky coffee' which, I suppose, is an accurate English translation of cafe latte. While paying for my coffee I asked what the story was regarding a couple of posters they had on the wall petitioning to 'Stop the Truck Stop'. Apparently there are plans afoot to transform my polka dot hill into a big restaurant and shops.
The good folks of the Dragon's Rest and other concerned local citizens are not taking the idea lightly and started a blog to provide updates as to what is happening and what you can do. You can read about it here. Although the deadline for raising objections passed a few weeks ago I will continue to stop by their blog every now and then to see how the story unfolds.
So raise your milky coffee with me and say, "Power to the people".
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