At the bar

A hectic day.

1. Dropped off clothes for cleaning/laundering. To be collected Thursday.

2. Out to Ashbourne Industrial Estate on a mission (can't specify in case a certain somebody reads this and the surprise is spoiled).

3. Contacted Rita to beg a coffee. Had a great natter, stroked the cats, admired the Christmas tree. Got a where-to-get-it suggestion for an item on my checklist for still-outstanding presents.

4. Went to IKEA as per suggestion. Instant success!

5. Got stuck in wrong lane on the way home, so stopped off at Omni Centre in Santry. Actually got unintended surprise prezzies there.

6. Arranged to meet Carl when he finished work. Rather than be faced with evening traffic at its worst, headed for Dún Laoghaire right away and got there by 4:30. Ticked off another item on my checklist in Meadows & Byrne.

7. Went across to the Harbor Bar & Grill (not the oh-so-trendy lack of a 'u' in 'harbor'). Slaked my thirst with a shandy. Managed to fins a quiet corner safely removed from the all-invasive TV screens. Spotted this pair sitting at the bar. The guy on the left kept up a non-stop commentary while his companion muttered occasionally. Sneaked a blip.

8. Met Carl in Weirs at 6:15. Grand old chat. Decided to go for a meal.

9. Went to Hartleys (formerly Brasserie na Mara, in the old railway station building). Tried the set menu -- well, the waiter insisted on telling us about the specials, one of which I really fancied and decided to go for even though it came with a 7.50-euro supplement. My whitebait starter was far from crispy, so I send it back. The second batch was better, but still not as crisp as it should be. My special main was delicious (Salmon Wellington, would you believe) -- really, really good. Carl's chowder was watery and insipid, while his blackened chicken main was pretty ordinary.

10. Back to Carl's to examine the contents of a package which had arrived at my place last Friday, one item in which is his Christmas for his sister. This needed to be examined in case it didn't come up to expectations and needed to be replaced. It passed the inspection.

11. A bit of recorded TV on Carl's telly, then I came back home. Like I said, a hectic (but very enjoyable) day.