Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms The C word

I've mentioned before - I work in a Catholic School so all mention of Christmas is banned, as it's not Christmas. The liturgical Christmas season starts on the 24th December (when many traditional Catholics decorate their houses).

At the moment, we're in Advent, a time of preparation for the arrival of Christ. We have an Advent Wreath in class, and are currently on the 'two purple candle' section (I have no idea what any of this means, but I do as I'm told and do a very good superficial impression of a cradle Catholic). We also have a Jesse Tree, but no other decorations or Christmas stuff.

I don't send cards. I take all the money that I would have spent on cards and send the Mrs to ASDA with it, where she buys me a bottle of Jack Daniels. I toast my friends as I drink it.

That's very interesting, having lived in Ireland for 5 years and spent over 40 years going back and forth, Ireland a very Catholic country ( a little less so today) celebrates Xmas very akin to UK, decorations are up from early December. Many of our friends are devote Catholics, so much so you pass a container of holy water to bless yourself at the front doorway of their houses etc.........they will have a the 'cross of the ashes' on their forehead all day on Ash Wednesday and so on. Interesting how customs vary.

I think many Catholic families do as your friends do, but as we are technically 'part of the establishment' I think there is more of a responsibilty to do things properly and not buy in to the overt commercialisation of Christmas that usually starts on the 1st November.

Thanks for that Phil that is quite an insight and a good value lesson for your young adults.
That JD will be well deserved…

Your post intrigued me so I asked Sue, Sue went to a convent school, the Loreto sisters in Dalkey and she seems to remember very little Xmas decoration at the school prior to school breakup for Xmas, when compared to family homes. If you are ever in Dublin with time on your hands visit Dalkey, its a beautiful costal village on Killiney Bay. Its where Michelle Obama went for a pint of Guinness at Finnegan's with Bono.

I had my first proper holiday to Dublin this year (in the Morgan). All my previous visits had been work related and we usually stayed in Maynooth Catholic Seminary. We are definitely going to holiday again but will probably fly - getting in and out of Dublin in the Morgan was a bit of a trafiic ballache, and we really like staying in town, or a short rail trip away (we stayed close to the Aviva). The Dart goes out to Dalkey so will add that to the list for next visit.

Yes enjoy that.

We have booked ourselves flights from Exeter and hire car pick up at Belfast Harbour to explore Count Donegal in August.

Heather loved Kerry last year as did I. We stayed in Tralee and Dick and his family were great.

Just delighted at my present to myself this Christmas, although I had no idea how to get them from Amazon. Thankfully my wife is more capable with this purchasing process. .We rarely buy off the net but on this occasion it would have been rude not to. I have had 2 litter pickers/reach sticks, purchased over 15 years ago at I think £12.50 each from a medical shop. They have been very handy but both broke last month.
I was amazed to see on the line that I could replace with very similar , both have magnets but the new ones no hook bit.
The amazing thing is that they sell these in a pack of 4 - for £12.95 !!! Including delivery !
My point is how the hell do they do this, made in China obvs. In truth having been in business for myself for 35 years I tend to have a reasonable view on how much things cost to manufacture……unlike our kids and many friends.
Even if the Amazon driver got 80 p of the cost, it is very amazing. Yes it’s an inch shorter and the Ali is a mm thinner - it’s still amazing. Oh and someone made profits at all aspects of its manufacture transport , etc etc.

Oh and my point is why can’t someone in China make a very close knock off of a CX Morgan and what would it really cost to manufacture in that land !?
Best MM
PS sorry but I have 2 spare and wondered if I should use them for our £15 max spend Secret Santa present. 2 look worth £15 quid ?
I’ve bought 2 off 5 litre painted canal style watering cans at £15 also for Secret Santa presents - we have a few Christmas dinners to go to…..

The Dart goes from Howth (north of Liffey) right around the bay following the coast into Dublin then south to Dalkey and beyond. Well worth doing the entire circuit for some fabulous coastal scenery. Vico Hill is a short walk out of Dalkey for fabulous views of Killiney Bay which is often compared with the bay of Naples

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowU...illiney_Hill-Killiney_County_Dublin.html

The Aviva , Ballsbridge area is D4 the most expensive part of Dublin, when in town we tend to stay in the O'Callaghan hotels
https://www.ocallaghancollection.com/ are pretty close to town and the Mont Hotel is also a well known bar.

Ah, this brings back memories of visiting my Aunt in Dublin by catching the DART to Seapoint.

My grandfather used to write for the Dublin Fishing and Poultry Gazzette and we would visit Howth harbour to speak to the fishermen as they landed their catch. So much has changed since then, the DART now runs right along the bay, and I see they are introducing smart new trains. It is always an attractive ride beside the sea, and always make the journey part of our visit.