A Day in the Life...

Today, I have spent the morning and a good part of the afternoon with my host-father "Big Bill" O'Dea. We got up early this morning to go down and dig for razor-clams along the beach, and fish for crabs. We caught a nice big crab and found a few clams. After that, we came back for breakfast and tea, we had white pudding, eggs and smoked salmon on toast. We then drove down to Powerscourt Estate- the estate of Lord Slazenger, of tennis and golf ball fame. We went mushroom hunting in the woodlands around the estate, unbeknownst to Lord Slazenger (mushroom poaching, I believe would be the appropriate term). We found a whole basket-full of edible mushrooms. Then, on the way home, we stopped in Dalkey for a pint at the Queen's Inn and to shop through the open air market, where we bought some kidneys from the butcher. When we got home this afternoon, we cooked the clams for a late lunch, and tonight we are having Steak and Kidney Pie with wild mushrooms and cream of crab soup- but first, its time for a swim off the Forty-Foot after the tide goes out!

The Forty Foot swimming point

Mushroom Poaching

"Chicken of the Forest"

Powerscourt Estates

The Queen's Inn- est. 1745

One of the best pubs in Dalkey

Tonight's Side Dish

Our Findings

Fresh Scones for Afternoon Tea