AN IRISH STAYCATION WHILE THE RED ARMY PARTIED IN SPAIN

A snap shot of my week so far - minus all the typing and talking and chores. Ax

Hello all. I got a lovely invitation from my gentleman companion to go to Spain this week but I couldn’t make the sun-kissed trip for a game in Gibraltar involving Ireland’s oldest football club Cliftonville FC and St Joseph’s FC. It was 2-2 in the end!

Anyway, I had work commitments in Dublin so no flights to Malaga and back for me…

I decided to make the most of what’s available on my own doorstep, and both sides of the border. I have been working hard so drafted a wee staycation schedule of treats and fun.

My mini adventure started with non-traditional Sunday lunch at Eatao in Castle Court followed by a trip to The Avenue cinema to see the latest in the Jurassic Park series of films Jurassic World: Rebirth. No spoilers.

It was an easy, entertaining watch. A bit over 2 hours. I would recommend. Some scary bits, some blockbuster cheese and schmaltzy bits. Lots of tension. I will watch it again when it’s on TV.

The Avenue, its plush seating, and small maximum number of customers per screening (60), makes it officially my favourite cinema, though I do retain a soft spot for the QFT and the Movie House at Cityside or Yorkgate in old money!

I get all sorts of weird and wonderful invitations in the course of my day.

The team at the Titanic hotel had invited me and friend to try the menu from new chef Alastair Fullerton so we jumped at the chance. Lucky us!

Titanic Hotel is a bright and lux environment, and the seats in the Chief Draughtsman’s Office for our sumptuous feast made the experience extra special. Staff were friendly and attentive, and the food was delicious.

For starter I ordered the seared scallops, potatoes, leeks, samphire, and pale smoked mackerel cream, and then the seared fillet of sea bass asparagus and chorizo for main. I love ordering fish when I am out because I don’t make it at home that often. Everything was divine. I want to go back to try the seafood linguine, and also the cod.

The unwritten rule is that even when you are approaching full there is always room for dessert so my pick was the chocolate salted caramel tart and a trusty decaf coffee. One of my new nicknames, outwith Demanda, Mand, and Mandy is ‘Straight Edge’ on account of giving up smoking and caffeine and now booze in recent years! Google it if you have to.

I always joke that I “completed” drinking (alcohol) about five years ago and like many others have found myself in recent years boozing less and less so I was delighted to see mocktails on the menu.

I might have an alcoholic drink in the future but for now I am off it.

I went with ‘Sunset on the Lough’ (muddled raspberries, peach purée, lemon, orange and cranberry juice) and before I left was also tempted by the Terry’s delight (chocolate syrup, triple sec, orange juice and cream float). Thank goodness my dining partner and I had skipped lunch that day so were able to make the most of the menu. After dinner, a wee drive in the sunshine, laughter and gossip, then thoughts turned to making a break for the border.

I had to be in Dublin for an ARINS Project speaking event on media on a shared island so I got the Enterprise train a day early to continue spoiling myself. I need it tbh.

So Enterprise Plus booking made I headed to Belfast Grand Central Station (which is lovely but Translink need to install some charging points and sort out the ticketing system).

My North Coast sea culchie mate, fashion designer and troll botherer Sara O’Neill committed to the upgrade in the pursuit of all the latest biz.

The two hour journey passed in a flash as we caught up on all the chat since the night before and then some! We were on the Irish Rail service at 9am where the conductor warmed passengers hearts with her cheery customer announcements.

Then the bean Ultachs went their separate ways.

My destination was my favourite Dublin spa - the Anantara Marker. If you can dine, stay or use the facilities on Misery Hill it is highly recommended.

My time there was anything but miserable. I started proceedings with the Lily’s Secret Elixir - orange juice, cinnamon syrup, lemon juice and ginger beer. Then it was off to the gym for a much needed workout, and then a swim, and use of the spa facilities, ahead of a detox wrap treatment and chilling in the relaxation room.

I then checked into the Marlin hotel at Stephen’s Green, my favourite reasonably price Dublin sleepover venue and was out for the count before Love Island started lol. I like to think Ireland is the OG love island!

It was back to reality, and off to work the following more at the Notre Dame Centre - O’Connell House in Merrion Square South. I love my job so it was a pleasure to take part in the Arins Project event

After gorgeous buffet lunch from KC Peaches it was back up to Belfast to settle in for working the Twelfth.

We will know the peace process if fully embedded when I am allowed to leave the jurisdiction over this July week but for now, while it will mostly be peaceful, if of course contested, horrific examples of negativity will cause tensions.

I welcomed my Red back home, and am currently writing, speaking on air, and enjoying a bit of sunshine.

Have a good and peaceful weekend, whatever you are up to...

That’s all for now.

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Amanda