Village life

Glasthule is a great spot, and especially so at the crossroads at its heart. Number 64, my favourite coffee shop, is there, and part of its charm is sitting at one of the pavement tables watching the world go by. Glasthule has somehow managed to maintain a genuine village atmosphere, and is all the better for that. I was at Number 64 again today, this time with one of the GP-lunch regulars. He'd tried coming in to see me in hospital on a couple of occasions, but it seems that the admissions people made a mess of things and there was no record of me at the reception desk in the Mater, so Matt got as far as the entrance lobby and no further. He made up for it today, we spent a wonderfully pleasant time together, and I delighted to see him.

Apart from its village feeling, Glasthule is well known Dublin-wide because of Cavistons, a rather up-market deli-cum-seafodd restaurant, especially popular with the blue-rise ladies who lunch brigade. Prices are a bit over the top, but its reputation is so well established at this stage that it continues to do great business. Personally, I'd prefer the deli section of Number 64 any time.

I'd been down in Glasthule earier as well, researching availability of New Zealand Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc wines, which is the preferred tipple for Dave and Alan who were meeting up with us for a meal in the Martello restaurant (thanks, Dave, for subbing us: much appreciated). We came back to Carl's convalescent home afterwards for further socialising. Fortunately, the lads are on holiday, so there was no need for clear heads the following day in work terms at least. All in all, a god day, and an especially wonderful session with good friends to round it all off.