Top of the world
Friday morning, St. Paddy's day, I took my own wee saint Paddy to Helen's Bay for a swim. I'd say 10-12 swimmers in during my visit (out of shot to the left).
I met with my architect and learnt my planned extension (to replace my decaying conservatory) will cost a lot more than I expected. Bummer. I was tempted to go into town to hear music in the afternoon but it would just be bunged and I find crowds very tiring.
Saturday afternoon I had a nice visit with Patricia then we went to the driving range. Then I went into town hoping to hear music at two different places. The first was the Grand Central, a newish 23-storey hotel. The music was meant to be on the second floor but the musicians didn't show--likely because Ireland was playing England in the final of the Six Nations at that moment. So I decided to go to the top floor for a drink. I'd never been up there and was not clear on whether you could just go up (someone has to let you into an elevator with a red rope across it) or did you need a reservation? Given everyone was in front of their TV sets for the rugby, the top floor bar had a free table and up I went.
Above is the view that includes the shipyards, and the iconic Samson and Goliath cranes. Below shows city hall in the foreground and Cavehill in the background.
I'd been told sunset was the time to go and I agree.
The waiter took this photo of me with a very stiff old fashioned. Ireland won the rugby so I sent my 'slainte' shot to a few friends.
It was good craic enjoying the views. Then on to Madden's, famed for its traditional music. A session was on with 10 Guinness-fueled musicians. The woman on the right is playing a concertina and her twin sister the flute. I sat right behind one of the three fiddle players and enjoyed a vantage point I've never had.
Sunday morning was Cregagh Glen with Paddy, visible bottom right.
Then a very long walk with Ann O'Dwyer at Mount Stewart. In the afternoon I made some progress on my taxes. The golf course was closed for the second consecutive weekend so lots of free time all of a sudden.
Tomorrow, Monday, all 255 employees of the Principles for Responsible Investment will learn if our jobs are safe under a new reorganisation, or if we'll be retained but in a position different to our current job, or if we are at risk--our skills don't fit particularly well given changed priorities and structures. They estimate 5% of staff will be at risk. This was sprung on us with not a lot of notice and, shock!, hasn't gone down well. My team, the editorial team, will no longer exist. Each of us either will or won't be absorbed into one of the new silos. If I get the axe, hey ho, I retire sooner than I planned to. I wasn't planning to work for more than another year or so anyway, but I'd like that year to get this conservatory done and dusted. So stay tuned for the next exciting chapter!
17-19 March