Patrick Comerford
Despite the warnings of another impending storm across the island, this morning was a calm bright morning.
By the time two of us arrived in Skerries the high tide was about to retreat, and there was little sand to see along the shoreline at the South Strand.
The waves were a little choppy, but the sound as they broke against the pebbles and sand was gentle and soothing, and when I turned my back against the sun to face north and walk the length of the beach I could feel the warmth of the sun on my back and on the back of my head.
Although I had walked the East Pier in Dún Laoghaire yesterday [1 January 2014], this was my first proper beach walk of the New Year.
We walked the full length of the beach, and close to the northern end two or three council workers were clearing away discarded Christmas trees. Why is it that the Christmas decorations are up in shopping centres long before Advent begins, but the Christmas trees come down in so many homes even before the Feast of the Epiphany arrives on 6 January?
We continued on up around Red Island, and down to the small beach behind the Lifeboat House. ‘Storm in a Teacup’ was closed, and so we walked on down the pier. A few trawlers were wrapping up the working day, a lone seal bobbed up and down expecting to be fed with fish from the trawlers, and the harbour water was so calm it was difficult to imagine that another storm is threatening.
We walked on around the curve of the harbour, and after buying the Guardian and two bottles of wine in Gerry’s, we crossed to ‘The Olive’ for lunch.
The Olive has expanded in recent months, increasing the number of places available, and moving the food sales to a shop next door. But the place was still crowded, inside and out ... and yes, they still make the best double espresso in Fingal.
We make our way back to the M50 through Loughshinny, where the Yacht has reopened, Rush and Lusk.
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