They describe themselves as follows:

Juniors is a New York style Deli, serving generous sandwiches, salads, soups and specials by day, and an Italian influenced Cafe by night.

I’ve not had the pleasure of eating there in the evening but if the popularity and taste of their soup and sandwiches are anything to go by then I bet I’d walk away well satisfied from a dinner.

I’ve only eaten there at lunch time. The first occasion I confined myself to the char-grilled chicken sandwich and the spicy tomato soup. The second ocasion I stayed with the chicken sandwich theme but this time I had it with salad.

You might think that at €6 the sandwiches are pricey, but this is definitely a case of you get what you pay for. I defy anybody to walk away from a Juniors sandwich feeling hungry.

They do a roaring take-away trade but if you want to sit inside then you should get there early as this place is very popular with the local office staff.

As I said the first time I was there I had a soup and a sandwich for a tenner. Yes it’s a big lunch but I had just walked there from Terenure!

I was visiting my Mam and normally I take the public transport combination of a DART to Tara, followed by a 15A to Terenure Road West. The return journey is usually the reverse unless I have to take care of something in town.

This time, inspired by a conversation I had with a fellow Jazz fan in JJ Smyth’s, I decided to walk along the Dodder to Lansdowne or Grand Canal stations and take the DART home. It seemed like a great idea. I had the time, the weather was overcast but dry and it was a chance for a bit of exercise along a really nice route.

Starting from near the KCR, I walked into Terenure Village and joined the Dodder as it crosses Rathfarnham Road. Following the Dodder away from Bushy Park you pass plenty of weirs, millraces, bridges and some more unusual structures like the Ely Gate (once an entrance to Rathfarnham Castle), the former grazing ground for the Bewley’s Cafe Jersey cows (near Mount Carmel Hospital), the Nine Arches Bridge (Milltown) and the tall chimney which was once part of the Milltown Laundry.

Before long you find yourself passing through, Rathfarnham, Churchtown, Dartry, Milltown, Clonskeagh, Donnybrook and on through Herbert Park to Ballsbridge.

It’s a great walk, probably best on dry days. You can understand why I was feeling peckish when I reached Juniors.

This walk, along with many other Dublin walks, is described in detail in the book Walking Dublin by Pat Liddy.

So how was it I was in Juniors a second time? Well the reason this time is a lot less energetic. I was at the National Crafts and Design Fair in the RDS and since I was only a short stroll away once again Juniors seemed the perfect place for lunch.

The annual Craft and Design Fair can be a good place to pick up some inspired Christmas gifts and once again it didn’t disappoint.

There were some fantastic skills on show in the RDS including clothing, jewellery, wood turning, photography, pottery, games, books and of course food.

The highlights for me were the photographs of Michael Gannon who just seemed to capture light and colour perfectly in all his images and the most unusual handcrafted jewellery and gifts on display from May Fly of 11 Fownes St Upper, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.

Unfortunately the fair ends today but perhaps you still have time. Note there is a charge (€10 I think) to enter.

Post from: Blog Of Good Cheer

Great Food, a Wonderful Walk and Some Unusual Gift Ideas in Dublin

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Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

A chance encounter and shared moment with one of natures greatest and most fleeting phenomena.

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Murmuration – Hello Starlings

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It’s at this time that the berries of our single rowan tree (one died) are becoming bright and shiny with an intense redness that contrasts with the green of the tree’s leaves.

Christmas colours in the middle of July.

The starlings arrive. One or two at first checking the quality of the fruit. They almost seem to chat to each other…

“Looking good.”

“Do you think they’re ready?”

“They’re certainly tasty.”

“Maybe another day, they could be really good then. Remember last year?”

“Yep, last year they were excellent. Let’s wait another day.”

They fly off – leaving the berries to reach perfection having done their sommelier duties.

The next day they arrive in numbers. Twenty, perhaps thirty starlings at a time gorging on tiny red berries. They eat their fill and another flock swoop in to take their place.

Wave after wave of starlings strip the rowan of its fruit. Magpies and pigeons drop by, curious, wondering what the fuss is about. But the starlings, knowing that the feast won’t last forever, chase the larger birds away.

If all the berries reached perfection at the same time I’m sure the rowan would be stripped clean in less than a day. But once all the ripe fruit is taken the activity slows down to one or two less fussy birds hoping to get a steal on their friends.

This year it took four days to strip the tree. Not bad going.

July’s surprisingly wet weather kept me indoors most of the time but I was able to see the starlings plundering their prize from my office window. The beating of their wings, their sudden arrival, the greedy gorging and then their speedy departure – a classic raiding party.

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Four days in July: A Time of Starlings and Rowan Berries

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Before I give you the answer let me say that I’ve always thought that type of question is unfair and really difficult to answer. How can you possibly know what I’m thinking and so have even the slightest clue to what answer I’d accept as being right?

Here are the pictures

Here are some possible answers that are correct, but they are not the answer I’m looking for:

• I took all the photographs
• They were all taken in County Wicklow (either Glendalough or nearby)
• They were all taken on the same day
• They all appear in this blog post (now that’s just silly!)

I really could go on and on, but if I did I doubt if you would stay to the end of the post.

So here’s the answer. My answer. The one I’m looking for.

They all contain trees! What type of trees? I’m stumped, I’ve no idea.

(I can almost hear you groan.)

Why have I got trees on my mind? Yesterday was the start of National Tree Week.

National Tree Week is an annual, week-long festival celebrating all positive aspects of trees in our lives and environment.  It’s organised by the Tree Council of Ireland.

There are events all over Ireland and you can see what’s happening in your county here. There’s even a photo competition if you fancy giving it a go.

I don’t know the different types and characteristics of Irish trees. But I’ve a book that’s going to help me get better at identifying them.

The sooner I get good at it the more I’m going to enjoy the next few months of good weather in Ireland. (I’m an optimist.)

I hope to walk around the St Anne’s Park, the National Botanic Gardens and St Stephen’s Green observing and identifying trees as they bud in spring, blossom in summer and drop their fruit in autumn.

If you’re tree ignorant, like me, you can get all the information you’re likely to need on the Irish Trees section of the Tree Council of Ireland website. There are 17 trees listed and if I can recognise half of them by the end of summer that would be super.

While we’re on the subject of trees one of my favourite proverbs (not sure if it is originally African or Chinese) is

The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.

I may not have been paying attention when I was leaning about plants and trees in school, but I can always start now.

P.S. I’m a little sorry about the puns.

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Getting to the Root of the Problem

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The coffee and crumble were great, and I bought a pair of waterproof trousers in the shop (those of you who read my last post would realise I needed them). But the surprise was the discovery of a Falconry and Bird of Prey centre located on the grounds.

For €6 I got a chance to wander around Woodlands Falconry and marvel at the array of birds on view. It’s a compact area in which they display eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. Some were tethered securely outside, some were in cages and a couple were delighted to be on handlers’ arms.

Because there were plenty of birds outside cages, tethered to pegs in an open area, I had a chance to practise my photography. As there was no demonstration flying going on, the birds were placid with only the odd shriek and flapping of wings.

So since I wasn’t going to get any action shots I decided to concentrate on the eye area and see if I could capture the essential spirit of the birds.

As it was a dull day I had to open the shutter up quite a bit and in some cases the only truly sharp area of the photos are the eyes leading down to the beak. I could have used a flash (I didn’t see any signs indicating that it wasn’t allowed) but I decided not to as I really didn’t want to startle any of the birds.

But in truth there were no timid creatures here. They all looked majestic and confident, not at all put out by the attention they were getting. It almost felt as if they considered the attention, wonder and adoration they were receiving was their due.

You can keep a check on events and activities at the Woodlands Falconry on their blog. Weather conditions can affect opening hours so its always worth checking first.

I thought it was well worth the €6 entrance fee.

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The Eyes Have It! – A Trip to Woodlands Falconry

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Not really a surprise if you’ve been paying attention to the weather forecast and the news, but it does create a fun filled feeling when it’s a rare event. Although we got a good amount of snow last January, this November (and now December) snowfall is certainly unusual.

Last Sunday I spent the early part of the day walking around Howth trying to get that magical photograph. I wasn’t the only one. There were plenty of people out with cameras of all shapes and sizes. Digital SLRs, point and clicks, compacts and even a few film SLRs were on display around the Martello Towers, the cliff walks, the main roads, the village and the harbour. I think I even saw a hand held light meter in action.

It’s funny how the mind works. I started thinking about collective nouns and decided that the best collective noun for photographers is an avalanche. A bit silly I guess but you know the sort of thing I mean – a flock of birds, an army of ants, a murder of crows – the word that describes a grouping of a specific thing. Maybe there’s an official collective noun for photographers but inspired by the weather we’re having and the notorious behaviour of paparazzi, I like avalanche!

There was a lot of good feeling around as we made our way around the hill. There is something really special about walking through deep powdered snow as you make your way slowly through a true winter wonderland. Serious walkers, armed with poles, passing us by, children throwing snowballs and many people just stopping to take it all in. Howth is a beautiful place but on Sunday it was truly spectacular.

Snow isn’t easy to photograph. The colour is the problem. If you don’t watch what you’re doing, or if you don’t have a “snow”setting on your camera, it can appear grey or blue in photographs. All to do with white balance and this article from the Digital Photography School can give you an overview of the technicalities. I don’t have a “snow” setting on my camera so I made do with what had.

After spending over three hours walking around Howth, stopping only to have a cup of coffee by the harbour, we headed home. Some of the powdery paths had started to get quite slippy after being pounded by many feet. We were feeling great. Spending so much time outside in crisp temperatures was invigorating. So much so that once we got home we decided to go out again!

This time we headed for North Bull Island and a chance to walk on a snow covered Dollymount beach. How cool is that?! Along with us there were plenty of joggers and dog walkers revelling in the white “sand” covering Dollymount. Plenty of Brent Geese were feeding in the shallow water and Howth looked white in the distance. The 15^th hole and 16^th tee at St. Anne’s Golf Club were appropriately deserted.

I think we stayed out for at least 5 hours. We had plans that had to be changed but it was a Sunday, and with that comes the flexibility of a weekend in which nothing absolutely has to get done.

I’m not saying that persistent snow for a week is all fun and games. My heart goes out to those struggling as a result of the cold. Frozen water pipes and impassable roads are not fun. After a few days of snowfall the difficulties of daily living become more important than building snowmen. It’s a good time to check on your less mobile neighbours and see if a helping hand is needed.

When I was a student, theoretically less mature than I am now, after a particularly long spell of rain (and a few pints) I thought it would be a good idea to march on the Met Éireann office in Glasnevin demanding better weather. Nobody was interested, no surprise really. But lately we’ve come to protest and march a bit more than we used to so maybe my idea has legs these days.

As far as I know there isn’t an EU Sunshine Bailout facility we can tap into.

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An Avalanche of Photographers

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I wasn’t the first person in the park. The Saturday market stalls were already being put up and there were a few people walking dogs on the snow covered paths.

But the park wasn’t as busy as it normally is and it was possible to find a few places where footprints hadn’t yet appeared. This morning St Anne’s, almost completely covered in snow and with so few people, was an incredibly peaceful place to be.

The rose garden was empty, the children’s play ground was deserted and nobody sat on the benches. Roses hanging on into winter, the odd robin and plenty of empty paths were the early themes of the day.

It didn’t take long for the dogs to appear. They seemed to love the snow. Running around chasing each other or retrieving thrown tennis balls – they were having a damn fine time. Four year plans, minimum wage reductions and increases in taxation didn’t seem to bother them. Maybe for a few hours this morning these concerns didn’t bother their owners either.

Back at the market around 10 am I had a scone and a coffee (a fruit scone of course, no real surprise there). The crowds still hadn’t arrived but there were a few intrepid shoppers picking up their weekly fruit and veg.

I went home with a pumpkin, some mince pies and two walnut and apple slices that filled your mouth with the taste of Christmas.

Not a bad start to the day.

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20 Photos of Saint Anne’s Park in the Snow

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Flip-flops and sandals have never been the answer for me. The main reason is support or lack of support to be more accurate. I’ve never been able to find a pair of flip-flops or sandals that I could wear for hours walking around towns and villages and not suffer for it the next day. Other people can wear them, but after an hour or two my feet get tired and start to ache. How can you explore on foot if your feet hurt?

The other reason is smell. My feet don’t normally smell badly but once I put them into a pair of flip-flops or sandals there is an instant chemical reaction and my feet and the footwear really should be quarantined. If there was a medical term describing the experience it would be something like Foot-odour Holiday Syndrome.

But flip-flops and sandals are the best footwear for a sun-holiday. You just can’t avoid perspiring if the temperature is a good 10 degrees higher than you’re used to. Footwear that lets your feet breath is a tried and trusted way to stay cool.

This holiday I’ve been lucky with the weather. Apart from the odd thunder storm the sky has been blue and the sun has been shining and with a little more luck it will continue that way.

So why am I bothering to write a post at all? Surely I should be sitting under an umbrella outside a nice bar sipping a cool drink, chatting to the locals or reading a good book. You’d probably be right if you said I’ve no business typing on a keyboard while the sun is shining.

But something happened on the way out in Dublin airport that has made this holiday a bit special. I popped into the fat face shop and bought a pair of flip-flops in their sale. It was an impulse buy (what else could it be at 6 am) before boarding the flight to Rome.

I’ve long reconciled myself to the fact that I cannot wear flip-flops. Well perhaps I can walk around a flat surface for a little while but once the ground gets uneven (not much, just a little uneven) I can’t walk in them. I look ridiculous walking in a way that has me trying desperately to keep them on by scrunching up my toes.

I find it impossible and before long my feet are sore and I’m fed up.

But in fat face in Dublin airport I found the perfect flip-flop – the perfect flip-flop for me that is. It may not be everyone’s ideal shape but with a significant rise supporting my arches I feel I could walk around in them all day long.

Oh and they don’t smell. I’ve stress tested them several times now and I’m completely satisfied that neither the flip-flops nor my feet smell badly after a day’s extensive use.

Finally I can wear flip-flops, woo-hoo!

So that got me thinking. In the past I’ve bought relatively expensive sandals that are supposed to be as comfortable as walking shoes and are made from specially designed foot-odour killing material. After taking them home, trying to break them in, it quickly became clear that their designers still have a way to go to get the technology right.

But spurred on by my successful flip-flop purchase I decided to chance getting a cheap pair of sandals in the sales in a local shoe shop. This shop sold its most expensive pair of sandals for €40 and it’s cheapest for €30. I didn’t recognise any brand they sold. Not a Columbia, North Face or Salomon in sight. I tried the range and settled for cheapest pair.

Again I’m delighted. They are comfortable and I can walk in them for hours and despite the fact that the manufacturer (Lotto) does not claim that they are ergonomically designed to fit my feet or that they have been manufactured from odour killing material they are the most comfortable, odour-free sandals I’ve ever owned.

I can now walk about on cobbled streets, sandy beaches and forest paths without any discomfort. Trust me, in temperatures that range from 24 to 34 degrees having your toes exposed is the only way to travel.

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No mean feat – trying to wear flip-flops or sandals.

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The bridge is easily recognisable, looking like a harp on its side; a national icon. I like that; it makes sense that a landmark should be easily picked out from the crowd.

For a long time the most significant landmarks along the Liffey were probably Liberty Hall, the Custom House, the Ha’penny Bridge, the Four Courts, Heuston Station and the Guinness Brewery.

Then along came the Spire (2002-2003) and the Seán O’Casey Bridge (2005). I didn’t warm to the Spire, or the Monument of Light as it is officially called, when it arrived first but it’s growing on me. I know it’s more than a stone’s throw from the Liffey but you have to try hard to miss seeing it as you walk along the quays.

I like the Seán O’Casey Bridge. Why not have another pedestrian bridge across the river? I used it today going from Custom House Quay to Merrion Square via Lombard Street East and as I looked along the Liffey towards the sea I saw cormorants below the bridge. I thought cormorants only liked rocky coasts, I guess not.

But it was the Samuel Becket Bridge that had my attention today. Opened for traffic in December 2009 it joins Sir John Rogerson’s Quay on the south side to North Wall Quay in the Docklands area. It may not be open a year but it has fast become one of my favourite Dublin City landmarks.

I took a few photos and tried to get that strange mixture of rain clouds and clear skies to play their part in the images. I really like how they turned out and I think black and white makes sense.

Right beside the bridge a market with a French twist was opening up. There was plenty of food on offer and it was really hard to resist the wonderful aromas from the huge pans of paella.

The bridge itself was my main interest. A cable-stayed bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava who also designed the James Joyce Bridge near Blackhall Place. No matter what angle I looked at it I couldn’t help feeling that it was a thing of beauty.

Facing upstream through a hole in its body you can clearly see Liberty Hall, the Custom House and the Spire as if this new upstart is showing respect to its older brothers.

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Near the Samuel Beckett Bridge, Dublin

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I don’t mind walking in the rain. In fact I quite like it; especially by the sea. If the tide is in and the wind blows and rain falls there can be a great feeling of energy. The only other time I felt that raw power was when I was on a walking trip in Italy a few years ago. A group of us were on a guided hike in the Dolomites. On one of the days the good weather turned nasty and we got caught in a lightning storm that cracked and electrified the air all around us. It was scary, exciting and fun.

Although yesterday was tame compared to that storm in Italy there was one big difference. In Italy I had waterproofs at the ready, yesterday I had summer gear and that was it. Usually I follow that often quoted phrase by Rannulph Fiennes, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing”. Well yesterday we certainly had bad weather and I definitely had the wrong clothes.

The rain was light enough when we set out, but it didn’t take long for it to really get going. Throw in a strong wind blowing in from the coast and the recipe for a good soaking was set. At one stage I had to cover my right eye as the angle of the rain stung it over and over again. When I got home I realised that on one side I’d started to dry out a little (just a little) and on the other I was dripping – that’s the sea breeze for you.

We weren’t the only intrepid walkers out there. There was a merry band out “enjoying” the experience. The word of the day was “mad”. Practically every exchange we had with our fellow walkers was “Are we mad?”, “We must be mad!”, or “This is madness”. But it was fun too. There was a certain camaraderie in our drenched sloshing that ensured that although we were being pounded, although none of us had worn appropriate clothing and here’s the kicker, although we could have turned back!; we all kept going to reach whatever distance or destination we set out to achieve.

When we finally arrived home, a hot shower later, I think it was P who said “that was great to do”. She was right, being outside in the wind and driven rain, cleared away the cobwebs, and left us feeling alert, lively and full of energy for the rest of the day.

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Walking in a Cobweb-Free Zone

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