Sunday, 20 October 2024
☕️📖🍽️
I had no plan for the start of my day, so I let the wind decide where I would go this Sunday.I had no plan for the start of my day, so I let the wind decide.
The seasons have fully changed here. The wind is icy against your skin and the trees are varying shades of orange. As I walked I enjoyed taking in the cycle of the natural world around me. The autumn leaves moved in swirls across the streets I walked, creating tornados of colour for the world to admire.
I walked towards the Liffey River in search of a good coffee shop to cheer my downcast soul when the sound of church bells called me. Christ Church Cathedral has been ringing its bells every Sunday for nearly 1000 years. The methodic metal chimes bring a sense of peace that is missed by the cars and buses rushing along. But the walkers got to embrace the song of the church and let it fill them like it filled me.
I continued to meander around the streets of Dublin until I stumbled across Il Valentino Bakery and Café. This quaint coffee shop (which doesn’t seem to have settled on its aesthetic yet) offers a beautiful range of pastries and sandwiches. I ordered a Raspberry Scone to go with my Latte and watched the people come and go from the shop while I ate.
The coffee wasn’t amazing, but the scone was lovely and I’d definitely go back to try more of their pastries on offer.
It’s now 11:30, my stomach is full, the caffeine is working, and I’m reading for a slow Sunday adventure.It’s now 11:30, my stomach is full, the caffeine is working, and I’m ready for a slow Sunday adventure. www.dublin.ie has a full list of markets on in and around the city with dates, times and an idea of what is for sale at each. I found out that there every Sunday from 11am – 4pm there is a market on in St. Patrick’s Park. So, I headed there.
St. Patrick’s Park – the park outside the famous Cathedral – is just a few minutes walk from Christ Church Cathedral. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is 800 years old, but infinitely more famous than Christ Church Cathedral as it is the church of Ireland’s patron saint. The building is the biggest Cathedral in Ireland and considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the country.
How incredible to be able to casually walk to such a great capsule of history on a Sunday afternoon?
The market was small but every stall offered something unique to buy. I treated myself to a pair of gold-plated fresh- water-pearl earrings from Pearl Bon Bon for €12 and a beautiful copy of The Dubliners by James Joyce.
I sat on one of the park benches, whose old seat had been worn away by years of passersby just like me and began to read my newly bought book. Kendal also bought a book – ‘Do Androids dream of Electronic Sheep?’- which I just thought was the perfect juxtaposition of our personalities; me reading about the lives of everyday people in 1914, Ireland, and Kendal reading about the AI future.
We took the rest of the easy, resting our minds from decision making, and getting infinitely more excited for our evening plans.
Six by Nico is a 6-course, fine- dining experience that changes its menu every 6 weeks. We went a few months ago to their Amalfi Coast -inspired tasting lunch. It was an incredible experience and so, when I saw the theme for this menu I made a booking as they launched.
Hollywood inspired dinner!
I cannot explain my excitement to you except that I did audibly shriek when they announced this menu. It is more of a pricey experience, at €55 per person. But it’s honestly worth trying at least one of their menus if you’re visiting Ireland. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
We spent two, lovely hours enjoying the six beautiful courses and our complimentary starters and prosecco – because I’m a VIP (subscriber to their emails lol).
I won’t go into too much detail on the menu but I will say that the first course was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten, and it was displayed on a shell! A real life shell! How cool is that?
Stomachs full and hearts satisfied with the day, we braced ourselves for the ice cold walk home. What a full, and yet calm, day.
I hope you choose to do something that fills you this week.
With love, from Dublin,
Chey
.
0 Comments