It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Off Topic Chat

tscul32

Well I got the shot, 2nd booster, yesterday at lunchtime. Hit me harder than any of the others did. My arm started hurting last night and I usually sleep on that side so didn't get a great sleep (neither did OH with me saying ow when I'd accidentally roll over). But I feel like I was hit by a freight train today and my stomach is in rag order. Might think twice about the next one.

Loughc

Beautiful evening out there. Clearish sky. Big moon. Great evening for a walk nice way to end the long weekend.

BK5

Hope people on here and their families that haven't been well feel better soon, very best wishes.

Went to my home town yesterday and met up with the clan for food and a few drinks in the local hotel. 17 of us spread over 4 generations met up and it was wonderful. Times like that always remind me of Christmas because it really is what life is all about.

Posy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120209236#Comment_120209236

Oh dear! 😖 Hope you are feeling better asap.

My arm is usually pretty sore after any Covid or Flu jab, it's so annoying, I wish it could just be a pill!

I try to get vaccines on a Friday or weekend so they won't effect work, think I'll do the same for the next one because they can leave you a bit woozy alright.

DvB

I was very lucky, for all of my covid jabs i had the sore upper arm for a day or so but nothing else really, maybe a little tired but nothing else that springs to mind. Never had any reaction at all to flu jabs, so I've been lucky.

CheerLouth

Morning all, wasn't that a lovely long weekend! All hail St. Brigid! We had a lovely weekend - kids parties on Saturday, went to the zoo on Sunday (was jammers) and then had a lovely relaxed day yesterday. The kids had playdates, then we went for a lovely long walk along the river. It was super chilled. I've a short week again next week with the midterm. Going to book W5 and take the kids up. Had hoped to book a night away, but have left it too late of course!

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120210365#Comment_120210365

Funnily enough we were just saying last night that the weekend seemed really long for a standard bank holiday weekend and it actually felt like a nice break. The timing is superb too so its a great addition to the calendar.

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120209282#Comment_120209282

Has been some great big moons recently. We have three skylights in the kitchen and sometimes it seems like the lights are on because it is so bright from the moon.

That sound great @BK5 love big family get togethers.

Hope you feel better soon @tscul32 my arm was the same on every one I have got so far. Went away pretty quickly though so hopefully yours will too.

Sounds like a lovely weekend @CheerLouth great to be able to get out and enjoy the nice weather.

pigtail33

I wasn't going to bother with the latest booster, but I was eligible just after Christmas, when there was the usual Winter Covid peak, so I booked in the day it opened for my age group. I had a bit of a sore arm with both boosters, but thankfully no other symptoms. I've managed to avoid getting Covid so far, and I'm hoping it stays like that. I think it will eventually become a yearly one, just like the flu jab, changing slightly each year, depending on the variant.

@TRS30 I've noticed the moons the last few nights too, very big and extra bright.

Had a lovely extra long Bank Holiday weekend. I took Fri off work, last minute, and headed into Dublin city centre for my first browse around in three years. Didn't buy much, but had a nice coffee and lunch in town and the weather was lovely, so it was great to be out and about. Then out for dinner in Siam Thai on Sunday night. The start of Feb really is perfect timing for a Bank Holiday weekend!

TRS30

Was it the Siam Thai in Malahide @pigtail33 ? is one of my favourite restaurants, love the upstairs tables.

pigtail33

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120211110#Comment_120211110

Yes, The one in Malahide! We were in the section to the left of the main entrance, it almost felt like it was outside, they even use a gas heater in that section. The food is always so tasty though and really big portions. We were all stuffed. Malahide seemed pretty empty when we left the restaurant around 11:30. The Bank Holiday mustn't have caught on yet.

Aisling(",)

I love Siam Thai!I was there in January but wouldn't mind another visit soon.

I love the Greedy Goose too. I still miss Oscar Taylors for a casual but nice dinner.It was perfect for my parents who aren't adventurous food wise but liked a bit of a selection.

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120211731#Comment_120211731

I notice this as well when out over Christmas. The village seemed quieter then normal. Not sure of the reason, guess the cost of living is forcing people to cut back maybe.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120211785#Comment_120211785

Yes, like those places as well.

The Grand Hotel do a lovely carvery and is usually not too busy and guaranteed parking as well.

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120211110#Comment_120211110

Big fan of Siam Thai in Malahide myself.

Met location confirmed so haha

Loughc

The long weekend for once did feel long, agreed with @DvB it really is a great spot in the calendar for a bank holiday. Only 4 weeks to go for the next one, will definitely be adding to that to make it a super sized weekend.

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120211954#Comment_120211954

Was out cycling with the kids yesterday and everyone seemed in great form. Not sure if the nice weather or the extra day off, January finally over or most likely a combination of all.

Is a fabulously timed BH and one that I already look forward to next year.

Loughc

And even at only 39 days gap between the Feb and March bank holidays it is actually the longest gap we will have for a bank holiday for a while until the Gap between June and Aug ones.

March, April and May bank holidays come in quick succession there after. One quarter of the way through February already so we are motoring now!

Posy

Having a bank holiday in February, March, April, May and June is pretty good going.

In England they have no b/hol until Easter, and no b/hol after August (until Christmas). Bleurgh!

It'll probably take a couple years to build up momentum- like, a lot of people go away for Easter or head off for a few days in May, whereas nobody will have any 'traditions' for this one yet. Plus, weather wise it's not going to be an outdoorsy bank hol, unlike the other scorchers we have later in the season. 😂😂

Caranica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120211731#Comment_120211731

I love the Malahide one but was very ill after eating in another branch.

Haven't had Thai in a while, you're giving me cravings now 🤣

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120212798#Comment_120212798

I kinda like having a bank holiday with no expectations. All the other ones can get busy if that makes sense.

Posy

It does! Especially after the madness of Christmas, it's nice to have a more chilled out weekend. 🙂

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120213314#Comment_120213314

Totally agree.

tscul32

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120211913#Comment_120211913

I had lovely scampi and chips last week in Gibneys. All the above restaurants are in my favourites list, even oul Oscar's.

Amazing moon this evening when walking the dog.

TRS30

Looking out my back kitchen window, to the left the sun is coming up and clouds are those lovely burnt red/orange colour, to the right a big bright moon is still clearly visible. Love this time of the morning.

Agree @Loughc re the new BH and not having any expectations, takes the pressure off thinking you have to do something.

CheerLouth

Nice bright morning here - have hung the clothes out in yet another futile attempt at drying them outdoors. Think it is still too cold yet.

I agree it's nice to have a chilled out Bank Holiday weekend - there's always so much else happening at Easter & the Summer BHs.

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120214119#Comment_120214119

After the madness of Christmas it's a nice Bank Holiday to ease yourself into the new year.

I can't get over how bright it is in the mornings now. It really feels like Winter is well over now.

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120214401#Comment_120214401

Temperature is still quite chilly out there, don't be fooled by the sunshine.

DvB

Baltic here in westport, drive down was very gloomy too, hoping it brightens up a tad for the journey home later.

CheerLouth

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120214417#Comment_120214417

So cold. Just hung a second wash out and my fingers were in bits when I came in with the cold...there's a bite in that wind!

BK5

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120214405#Comment_120214405

The Winter will have a couple of stings in it's tail yet before we can say it's over for sure.

There was a Paddy's Day a few years ago (pre-covid) and it was genuinely bitter cold that day.

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120215382#Comment_120215382

Paddy's day is pretty much guaranteed to be a manky day.

Though I think we got lovely weather one of the covid ones as I remember laughing saying "typical,no parade to freeze at and sun is shining"

Caranica

I remember snow in Killarney on the May bank holiday weekend in the late 90s so I'm under no illusion that we're done with cold weather

CheerLouth

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120215427#Comment_120215427

I think we actually had two really nice Paddy's Days during the lockdowns. I remember the weather in 2020 was lovely during the first lockdown & the following year, the sun was shining but it was still cold as we decorated the kids tractors with flags & bunting, put on some hi-diddly-i music on the bluetooth speaker & they pedaled around the garden while I sat with a cuppa, waving a little flag every time they went passed me

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120215532#Comment_120215532

That's hilarious, I can actually picture it!

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120215532#Comment_120215532

Your own little parade, love it!

pigtail33

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120215532#Comment_120215532

That reminds me of St. Patrick's Day 2021. The kids on my road had their own little parade. One of the parents even made a little float that was attached to a kids tractor. It was a really sunny day and definitely warm for mid-March. It was great to have a parade to go to just outside the house. Everyone brought out their garden furniture, so we got to sit around afterwards and have a few drinks.

jellybear

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120215532#Comment_120215532

That is hilarious...like something out of Fr Ted 😂

Cork Lass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120215532#Comment_120215532

Brilliant 😂

SCOOP 64

Thats so funny Cheerlouth, thank god my St patricks day parades are over, boys now too old not intereseted, so a relaxing day for me, wont miss that trying to park the car, trying to find a good view for kids and that 6ft 5" man always stoppeds in front of you, where to eat afterwards without a massive queue, then the traffic trying to get home and then theres the weather!

DvB

Wasn't the snow in 2018 in March too? Complete with Christmas FM back for the day!!

Suspect we've at least 1 cold snap left before we can put the hats, scarves and gloves away.

Cork Lass

This was taken on 1st March 2018. My husband put the reindeer out for the occasion.

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120216985#Comment_120216985

You are correct. That was the beast from the east. Started on 28th Feb and ran to the 4th of March.

Posy

Beast from the East, the bestest few days ever! 😁

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120217553#Comment_120217553

It really was. The excitement watching the snow fall and build. And then the return of ChristmasFM for one day only.

DvB

Speaking of cold snaps, car was an ice cube at 6.15am this morning when leaving for work, took me a few minutes to scrape the windscreen & windows free of frost/ice.

Was only thinking on the drive in, I'm looking forward to driving to & from work in daylight, I'm bored with the night driving at this stage & could do with some light, looking forward to the summer months now. Love the longer brighter evenings.

Princess Calla

My car is still an ice cube. Sun coming up over howth so it will thaw within the hour. Grass was white this morning too.

Caranica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120217553#Comment_120217553

Not if you had travel plans. Was supposed to be going to the UK for a loved one's special birthday. Total nightmare.

TRS30

Chilly one out there this morning. Winter is hanging on in there!

Not sure how I would feel about snow in March this year....

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120218776#Comment_120218776

I just got my gas and electricity bill for Dec-Jan. I’m not well after seeing it.

Im praying for a tropical March now 😂😂

Cork Lass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120221441#Comment_120221441

My MIL got her gas bill last week - €1000.00. She just wouldn't listen and had the heating on all day every day.