Brown Thomas

What a gorgeous day it has been today, even if it did start with a cold bath! Mary was heading into Cork this morning and generously offered to drive Nicole, Hannah, Ayane and myself in. We had a wander around The English Market, and explored a bit more of the city. Cork is the second largest city in Ireland, it’s quite small but has a great buzz to it. We had lunch at The Farmgate Café, Mary told us they serve the best chowder in Ireland, it was so delicious. Before lunch we went into Brown Thomas which is Ireland’s swankiest department store – it’s owned by Galen Weston (not the young one that does the annoying commercials for Supsterstore, but the same family). He also owns Holt Renfrew (which is a good comparison) and Selfridges in London, who knew. Anyway, as I was trying on a top I heard a voice in the dressing room next to me, and thought, that sounds a lot like Mary (she had left us for a bit), which it was, she was trying on dresses and informed me that an event that I really want to go to at Ballymaloe House, which I have bought a ticket for, and am encouraging others to come to too, is a black tie. Enough with trying on tops, let’s find me a dress for this event. I managed to find one (it was on sale!), now I have to find shoes to go with it. The event is a fundraising gala for The Ballycotton Lifeboat, here is a link with information, it will be such a fun night. Denise and I had planned to go, so I booked our tickets earlier in the week, and now have booked a table for eight of the students.

https://www.ballymaloe.ie/events-news/rnli-pre-valentines-casino-gala-dinner

The rest of the day was spent exploring Cork a bit more, buying a few essentials at Tesco, and fruit, veg, and shrimp at the market. The shrimp were 6 euro for twenty, and he gave me two fish heads for stock!

I didn’t end up going to the pub last night, went over to The Pink Cottage and had a couple of glasses with Shannon, Claire, Erin, Max and Theresa, in the end it was just Erin and I (neither of us live there!), but it was a really nice night. Tonight is Rock and Roll Bingo at The Blackbird, so after a quick nap I think I will probably head down for that. Mustn’t be too late, orienteering in the morning! Hoping it will be as nice out tomorrow for our adventures around the grounds at Ballymaloe House. I was hoping to find a shop in Cork that sold Duberry boots (Irish country boots), but wasn’t able to, so I have just ordered a pair, wish I had them for tomorrow. My wellies are great, but not the most comfortable when you’re walking in them for a long time, and your feet freeze, runners are useless because of the rain… Oh well, they should be here soon enough.

Nap time!

"I went to the pub, and forgot to go home." - One of the Irish students on the course, I won't use names!