No new stories just an update really. Plans for House Hunting in France were delayed due to a lenghty delay in sale of a property in Ireland. Now that is sorted out the plan is to go on a couple of holidays to France and have another look around. Hope to have some new 'old' tales soon. Mum has been writing away and sent one story in for a writing competition. That story is still 'embargoed' at the moment.
Sundays for as long as I have been driving have been an excuse to bring Mum and Dad when he was still with us for a short drive or occasional trip on the 'DART' The other Sunday we drove to Booterstown Station and parked the car outside. Mum has free travel for herself and luckily I go free as well. The first DART train that arrived was completly full, mainly of Rugby supporters going to an International. So full was the train that we didnt get on. In fact when the doors opened there was no room. We got a later DART to Malahide Village. Malahide is a nice seaside place and we have been going there for more years than I care to remember. I can remember going as a child with my Uncle and Aunt. Once we walked down to Uncle Matts house, about 2 miles away and we then walked further to get a long forgotten Bus which went directly to the Village in Malahide. Then main things I can remember was getting one of those cardboard aeroplane kits in a sweet shop and having chips, bread and butter, and lemonade on the beach. By the time we had our meal and paddled about at the little beach it was almost time to go home.
The most recent visit was rather quicker to get there and we went for a stroll to the sea front and then back to a Pub for something to eat. Much of Malahide has been re developed, not all good but one thing I like is a sculpture by Niall O'Neill. I worked for a few years with the Sculptors Society of Ireland and Niall was at the time Chairman. Being an artist usually means a bit of a bohemian lifestyle, sometimes laidback. And Niall is no diffferent. Funny enough although the SSI was a rather laidback place to work I always felt more work was done there than any other place I have worked, the friendly athmosphere seemed to encourage work and many worthwhile art projects were undertaken, especially in schools and exhibitions etc.
If you ever find yourself on hols in Dublin, a short day trip to Malahide is recomended, and have a look at Nialls sculpture too, best enjoyed by geting fish and chips in the local takeaway and sit in the little park and admire the view.
