Oct26

A walk up Ben Bulben – the forest walk

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A walk up Ben Bulben – the forest walk

Sunday, 12-July-2026


It’s my birthday, and we’re going on an adventure!

Ben Bulben is one of those really pretty spots in Ireland that I’ve heard about a dozen times, but never felt particularly drawn to actually visiting. I mean, it’s been on the list, but… yeah. Other places have taken priority, other trips, or just the chaotically overwhelming nature of life in Ireland has stayed my hand.

Until today!

The plan was simple – Andrea and I had a car rented, an AirBnB booked, and our gear packed. Hiking boots had been bought and tested, gear checked, and routes selected. We’d drive out, do a quick walk around the base of the massif, and then have a nice restful evening before starting into the main hike up the next day. The weather looked good, if a bit sunny, and we were excited for the excursion.

Then, when the rubber actually hit the road?

It went beautifully. Simply beautifully.

And as an added bonus? We were the last ones in the parking lot!

Oct25

Making ratatouille

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A few times in July, 2026


I’ve been trying to cook more vegetarian options, as a general statement. I’m an avid omnivore, but Andrea trends toward vegan as often as possible… not something I know too much about cooking, unfortunately, but something that I’m absolutely trying to learn about.

Going through my notes, and thinking on what I could make, I had a brainwave: there’s an entire movie about cooking a dish that’s vegan!

Now, I don’t have a pet rat to help me cook. But I do have YouTube, and a nearby green grocer who I was pretty sure would have all the various bits that I’d need to make the dish. I watched it a few times, wrote down the recipe, and kicked it into high gear for making us a big old plate of deliciousness. And, if I may say so myself, I do believe it worked out quite well. Like… seriously quite well.

So well that we had leftover sauce, and I made the same thing again.



Recipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roCX0AfBseQ

And extra sunset picture as a present!

Oct24

I saw a cool stork

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Wednesday, 08-July-2026


Walking home from the workshop today, I saw a stork sitting out by one of the canals in Dublin.

Nothing too special… but still. Special enough to make a note of, in my opinion. Keeping to the theme; the little things in life are worthy of note, even if they’re just a cool looking bird, preening itself by the water.