Apologies to the great city of London (and Mr. Johnson). I’m sure it will be fine. It’s been knocking around for about two thousand years. But I wait for Stitchworts each Spring, and when they arrive, it’s a balm to the soul. Anyway, your botanical mileage may vary. The plants above are Rapeseed; a brassica … More When a man is tired of Stitchworts, he is tired of life…
No great news to impart this week. Modest return on the running front; a couple of 5k trail runs in the park and a 10k this Sunday afternoon. I did gain a pair of runners. Well, truth be told, I found an old pair… okay, tell the truth and shame the devil… since getting my … More Fuel for thought
A couple of runs during the week; modest 5k plus toddles through the park or down by the river. And then I had a hankering to try a parkrun. There are rumours that my local parkrun will be returning soon, which will be most welcome. It’s in the grounds of Castletown House and demesne, and … More Primroses, parkruns and poetry…
My brother Rob turns 60 next month, and a party is planned to celebrate this big milestone. Not a surprise, I might add… it’s hardly a surprise that he’s turning 60… I mean he’s the Party-Planner-in-Chief, so it’s not a surprise party either. Quite the opposite. Rob is an engineer (he holds a Doctorate in … More Leaky mains and the big party
Just a couple of runs to report since the Paddy’s Day half. But of more interest has been the upswing in the weather. True, it is forecast to get cooler again next week, but the trend is positive. Can’t say the same for global politics, but let’s not spoil it, shall we. On Thursday, I … More Blossoms and blooms
I suspect for most of us, we all have our visual markers for the birth of Spring. I am always on the lookout for the first Lesser Celandine, the first Primrose, the first Wood Anemone. But the biggest show-off and harbinger of Spring (you can’t write a piece like this and not use the word … More A black and white Spring tale
Finally used a voucher my Mam gave me for my birthday back in 2024! It’s for a local menswear shop in Leixlip; one of the few outlets to stand the test of time on a main street that’s been ravaged by trends in retail. Turns out working in a labour-intensive job five days a week … More 32, baby!
IN WHICH GARY AND I TAKE TO THE HILLS IN SEARCH OF SNOW AND TELECOMS MASTS, AND I WONDER HOW HARD IT WOULD BE TO CATCH A DEER… We have had yet more guests over with us in the house this week; this time it was Noel, Saoirse’s older brother. No issues, of course – … More Peak bagging and the birth of marathon running
IN WHICH WE STUMBLE BACK INTO SOME FORM OF… FORM, I DO SOME CROSS-TRAINING WITH A CHAINSAW, AND S AND I HEAD TO THE POSH SIDE OF TOWN FOR SOME SERIOUS FASHION… It seems like a lifetime ago that I mentioned how marvelous Brigid’s Day was; the first day of February. It was calm and … More Dressed for success
A gag has been doing the rounds recently, online. It features an American gentleman on tour in the old sod, and he asks a young girl holding a ‘brolly if it ever stops raining in Ireland, and she replies ‘I don’t know… I’m only seven.’ Ho. ho. Well, it feels like it has rained forever … More At a loss
unironedman 