Had a lunch date last friday. We decided we’d meet in the Horseshoe bar in the Shelbourne for an aperitif. Then have lunch in a popular restaurant on St Stephens green, followed by a pint or two further (but not too far) into city centre. I have been reading James Joyce, Ulysses recently, so was focusing on a day out from that perspective.
It was an afternoon and not a day, but it was a journey for me. Had planned on taking Luas into town. It stops on the Green. I woke up late. Usually panic would set in. Not today. Ok i thought it’s a big day, let’s relax and get a taxi. Good idea, I could brew my daily morning coffee, take my daily medications and gather myself. Funny how, once one has learned to live with it , COPD teach’s, No stress, Stress is bad, Avoid at all costs.
Made it to Shelbourne. Horseshoe bar closed at that time of day. Had already been looking forward to a Black Velvet. Text’ed my companion with bad news. Ok, lets have a pint in Donoghues (not to far away). Made my way there courtesy of the hiking stick i had (as it happened) wisely grabbed on way out from home. Settled in bar and ordered two pints. Famous pub on Baggots street but was new for me. Imagine a 67 year old Dubliner who had never visit such a renowned spot. Chalk that one off now. Joined by companion and pints were downed. Delicious.
Off we went heading down Stephens green to find restaurant. Lovely weather.
“Dublin can be heaven,
With coffee at eleven, (make that pints at noon)
And a stroll in St. Stephen’s Green.
It’s the grandest place I’ve ever seen…”
There’s no place on earth like Dublin,
An old song from my youth (Noel Purcell).
Dublin can be heaven indeed. Lovely restaurant, Scampi (is that a dublin recipe?), Pork chop. Sure what else could one ask for. Before orderin we consulted wine menu and we both separately chose Puglia Red but my companion chose the more expensive of two. Worth it.
That’s the Stephens Green part done. Bellies full. A patient companion while I strategically used my stick. With my condition, need lots of rests on a walk down Dawson Street. It was drizzling, so an excuse to have a pint pause. After that we sauntered down Dawson’s street. Had to stop half way down because of big crowd at a bus stop. Observed a young Asian couple, probably Indian. Tap, tap, tap she went with her phone. I couldn’t help myself, ‘That’s in James Joyce I told her.’ – In chapter Sirens (in audiobook) there is a punctuation several times “TAP, TAP, TAP). They smiled, Humouring the ‘eejit’. The crowd parted and we continued down to our destination, Duke Street.
Features heavily in Ulysses
I was trailing and my friend went ahead – I’ll get us a seat he said. I found my way in. No sign of my companion. Walked (slowly) to end of premises and ended up in a section called Molly’s room. Curtains, couches, … This is a Joyce pub I thought. Walked back towards entrance and we met at bar. Just asked barman, ‘Do yiz serve Gorgonzola cheese sandwich’s and a glass of Burgundy. Of course, he said … Burgundy pinot noir – This was what I wanted to hear. Settled on a pint of Guinness.
Great day, Good and patient companion. Just what I needed …….. And contentedly found a taxi just outside to take me home.
Maybe more to follow – Certainly on ‘living with Copd’
My Canoe Trip 