Howth is hardly visible

 It was a typical evening in the Phoenix Park, yesterday. It was a gala put on by people who need to save money, and the result was a veneer of finery which failed to hide the underlying incompetence. Starting with the incompetent service behind the service counter, the sharp rebuke that the menu was visible on a small poster snapped out by an obviously overworked and inexperienced service person, down to the overly liberal and fully incompetent placing of the food on the plates. Finally, upon returning to the seat discover that the young carrots were ancient carrots that hat been pared down to look like young carrots, the salad is hot with curry, and the fish is cold. The potatoes are steam boiled then fried.

It is good that the meal was free of charges.

Finally, a waiter came along, removed the biscuits on the desert plate from said plate and placed them on the table, then cleared away the plate. Without a word, he was just getting his job done.

The meal was a gala meal, and free, and everyone looked about as if they were consuming something special.

One could be sorry for the young sheep, the cattle, and the fish that had to die to produce such a meal.

An attempt at high class on a low budget.

This morning the sun is bright, it is still cool. Howth is hardly visible in the haze, and the brother is up and getting ready for the day. A cup of coffee and a chat, it is all very pleasant.