Grade A kaleidoscope

We went to Seapoint restaurant in Monkstown this evening for what they rather originally call their 'pre-swim' menu (more commonly known as an early-bird). The place has been open about a year now. We tried to get in during last year's Festival of World Cultures but it was packed, giving it another go never really came up since, so this evening was our first experience. It was okay. Starting with the two-course menu for 23 euro, we ended up paying 130 between us, with the extra coming from a drink before (one beer, one gin and tonic), a bottle of wine, coffee, and a couple of tokais and grappas. Overpriced, really, and nothing extraordinary about the food.

I was early over the south side, so had time to stop off at Seapoint (appropriately enough) for a short blip session and to do a bit of shopping in Dún Laoghaire. The weather was pleasant, everyone was in good form, and yet what came out of the camera was no great shakes -- as proved by the fact that I've once again resorted to one of my occasional kaleidoscope offerings. The original is just a manhole cover which I spotted near the Seapoint bathing shelter. That led to a worked-on, and that in turn formed the basis of the final kaleidoscope.

We didn't finish our meal until almost 9.30, after which we went to Fitzgeralds in Glasthule for a couple of pints and a deep chat about house prices and budgets (personal and National), the economy, and economic systems. Back in Carl's Kino I fell asleep before Rogue Trader finished.