Year iii: The Anxious Normal

Picking up from where I stopped last year. Shakshuka eggs and top pastries from The Fermentary. Daffodils, magnolia, camellia, primrose. A beautiful wedding invite. Headlines that say the government are seen to be going backwards.

Strong moon views. Walking tours of Dublin Docklands with Dublin Decoded. Time spent at Huntington castle grounds. Blossoms, tulips, dandelions. A misty morn’. Two pups, a warm (enough) outdoor breakfast, remembering Jane.

An escape to an exquisitely kept modernista apartment in Barcelona, once occupied by the anarchists. A wrong turn meaning a detour through the military graveyard in The Curragh on a stunning day. An unfortunate end due to a low built nest. Peak may-bush and a big fire.

A near 300 year old rhododendron. The fantastic Festival of Writing & Ideas in Borris House and sunny Bloomsday pints at The Stags Head. Solstice hay baling, solstice alters and solstice flower drying. An interior from The Irish Georgian Society's summer party at Coolatin House. Luke Kelly by Vera Klute, lookin’ well.

Finally, a big outdoor gig to see Caribou. A corgi on the train! Irish summer holidays across Wexford and Waterford stopping at Johnstown Castle, Carne strand, Tintern Abbey and Spraoi Festival. Fantastic Mr.Fox.

A trip to the Pheonix park and Moli gardens during some lovely golden weather. Peaking dahlias. Irish salad plates for dinner. More Irish holidays in Wicklow, Kildare and Kilkenny. A neighbours Ayam Cemani chicken from Indonesia.

Beautiful dog days of summer, many spent at Altamont Gardens. The O’Connell tower seen from the Botanic Gardens at 10pm. An emergency trip to dog ICU. The majestic Irish hare.

Exciting mushroom finds, including an intact patch of amanita muscari. A meeting with the cat, named Lestat. A number of fine and spooky desserts, and a batch of homemade toffee apples. St. Canice’s cathedral in sunshine and trips to The ever impressive Hugh Lane.

The pirate queen, Gráinne Ní Mháille’s perpetual table setting at Howth Castle. A surreal trip to Limerick city. An ornate manhole cover seen in Heston station. A candle that told me to rest.

Cold Oscar Wilde in Merrion Square Park, during freezing temperatures and frozen cobwebs. Emergency Supermacs, jammy dodgers, robot waiters. A very enjoyable NYE spent in Cuffsborough House. Oíche Chiúin.

The first amazing thing seen in 2023 was perfectly formed jelly ear fungi. The first sorrowful sight was a dead handsome dog fox. Freddy the dachshund contemplates the concept of the self. Molly the beagle joins me for a negroni.

A friends birthday celebration over the new bank holiday, thanks to St. Brigid, held in Clonmantagh castle. A powerful sunset. A rejected jelly bouquet. Lisa O’Neill in Dun Laoghaire and Damo at The Abbey <3

Full circle, another year, 365 days. Less anxious feasting with friends, while watching a war still unfold, and the virus carry on, quietly.