Chef Darian’s Blog

The Times, They Are A Changing

November 18, 2008 on 5:43 pm | In Ireland | No Comments

As I sit here thinking about going to work (yes, sometimes you have think about it before you can get out of bed) I am staring out of my bedroom window. The view is amazing. I have the biggest chestnut trees in my view and their leaves are changing color. It is beautiful. I grew up in rural Ohio with Maple trees dotting the landscape (they are my favorite tree, if you can have a favorite tree). Autumn brought the most magnificent landscape changes. It was as if God was easing you into the winter with an apology for the bitter cold that was to come. I have to say, living in Texas we don’t get the color changes that our friends in the North are blessed with. Of course they have the freezing temperatures, snow and sleet that we are lucky to see only occasionally. (Thank God for that!) Back to the trees – So as I walk up the hill towards the castle, I am reminded how beautiful the seasonal changes can be. The road up the hill is lined with stone walls that are covered in ivy and blackberries. Trees changing colors seem to stand behind the walls as if to say, “look but don’t touch” with leaves of gold and orange. Behind the trees lies Dublin Bay. Most days it looks as smooth as glass and if I head up the hill early enough I can see the ferry headed for Wales. The occasional sailboat will glide past as the wind fills the sails to almost bursting. Even when the weather isn’t so nice and the sheets of rain pelt me till I am wet to the skin – well, that is not nearly as beautiful, but Wow! that rain can be cold! Like ice.

Did you realize that it is only six more weeks till Christmas? I did. I was counting the weeks till my last day working at the castle (this was while the owner was explaining how bad things are at work and I was thinking – do I have a prayer) and I realized that I had only six weeks left. It really went quickly. There were days that I never thought would end – we all have those, but 2 and 1/2 months really flew by. Oh, and speaking of Christmas, they put up the Christmas tree on O’Connell street. I have Monday and Tuesday off and will make sure to head to the city center and get a picture. Apparently, the tree is from France and has a few hundred thousand energy efficient lightbulbs on it. Should be pretty cool. Those French. Hollandaise sauce and now this! What will they think of next?

The following pictures are of my recent trip to the Boyne Valley. You will see Trim Castle and the Abbey Ruins.

Well, off to the Dungeon! The Irish Rugby team is having dinner at the hotel tonight. That means that they all order two of everything! And since they lost to the All Blacks (not an all black rugby team – of course I asked!) they will be drinking too! Should be a fun time for all!