God, how could I have been so stupid! Went around to check Breda’s house. She asked me to check her house as she was going to England for a week. She was nervous she might leave something on, like the cooker. “No problem”, I said. Around 4 pm, I thought, “I’ll do it now”, and take our dog for a walk at the same time. The house is just around the corner, no problem. Managed the keys alright. Dog lead in one hand and keys in the other. Once inside, I left the keys down on the worktop. I had a quick look around to see that everything was as it should be. I decided to wash the breakfast dishes and leave them to drain on the rack. I Glanced around again, switches as they should be. Yes, all seems well. Pulled the door shut behind me. “Christ” I thought, “I’ve left the flaming keys inside”.
Bray is
BRAY IS ……..
Bray is a beautiful pale blue sky, its sunrise shimmering across the water
White cotton wool clouds moving slowly on a summers’ morning
It fills its lungs with freshness, salt air and lingering seaweed
It offers tranquillity, respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life
If it were a car, it would be an old vintage, full of charm and old-world elegance
People would stop to look, admiring its solid beauty, life at a slower pace
But like an old deck chair, worn and faded by the sun, it has seen better days
It’s like an old oak tree, rooted deep in history, branches spreading out, pushing out
It’s the big bands and traditions of yesterday, reaching for the trends of today
It has its secrets, past and present, good and bad
Cloaked in coats of bygone glory and present day survival
Josephine Nolan
Good Neighbours
In 1978 we moved to Bray and bought a small terraced house in Ardee Street. The original house had 3 rooms and a scullery with a back yard the size of the house itself. Ardee Street was bleak in some ways, with no trees to offset the greyness . Opposite our house was a coal yard and further down, standing back from the road, was Burna Fireplaces, which is still there. They were mostly single storey terraced houses, with a few two storey houses at the top and bottom of the road.
Its saving grace was the People’s Park, stretching the length of the Dargle Road, from the Bridge at Castle Street (the town end) to Murphy’s Pub at far other. It had been left to the people of Little Bray by the Brabazon family. The plaque still remains in the park. It is lined with beautiful old trees including Oak and Horse Chestnut, with an amazing view of the Sugar Loaf Mountains at the Murphy Pub end.
Its beauty is dazzling on a bright Spring day, and also in the Autumn, as the leaves turn every shade of brown and orange, leaving a carpet of multicoloured leaves on the path. It has a children’s playground, changing rooms to facilitate the football matches played at weekends, along with various activities during the summer, like the dog show. Two of the local residents planted daffodil bulbs the length of the park, which spring up every year. Years ago there were a multitude of flowers in the park, attended by a Park Keeper who lived in a large Tudor-style house on the grounds. It was demolished about 20 years ago when it fell into disrepair. Young and old alike enjoy this treasure in Little Bray.
Dancing Queen
It was nearly midnight. My head was beginning to throb. It was the 21st birthday partyof my friend Nancy’s daughter, Amanda. I said goodbye to her parents, then to Amanda. “Thank you for inviting me to your party, Amanda, it was a great night”. ‘‘So good of you to come Alice’ she said and kissed me on the cheek. My bones creaked from sitting so long. “Ah, you’re not going yet”, Nancy said. “It’s been a lovely night Nancy. Amanda looks gorgeous. Steve seems a nice lad”. Steve was Amanda’s latest boyfriend. I thought he was a fright, spent most of the night propping up the bar. Nancy had raved about him, his great job, well to do family. That was Nancy.
Disruptive Passenger
We were ready for take-off. ‘Fasten your seatbelts please and switch off all mobile phones’.
A hand went up and a voice said ‘I have a rabbit’.
‘I’m sorry there will be a few minutes delay’
‘You’re not allowed to bring animals on board’ I said, as I confiscated the rabbit.
I took the rabbit and picked up the phone to ring security.
‘Would you please come and take a rabbit away’
‘Thank you, we are now ready for take-off’.
Again a hand shot up. ‘I have a giraffe’
‘I’m sorry about this ladies and gentlemen, there will be another short delay’
With a struggle I managed to get the giraffe into the aisle.
I picked up the phone and rang security again.
‘Could you please come and take a giraffe off the plane’
‘Again, I must apologise for the delay, which was due to a disruptive passenger’
‘ME!!!’ shouted my 3 year old granddaughter Beth, as she shot her hand up in the air again.
She was sitting on our landing in our imaginary aircraft!
On My Way in May
Rushed as usual
The clock stopped at 5.20 am
Lost track of time
We walked together to our writing class
Exchanged news over the week since the last session
The sun was warm
The blue sky promising more to come
Still in winter clothes so it was an effort to walk the hill
Lush green lawns on either side of the road
Rising steadily
The Rescue Dog
Taking ownership of a rescue dog
is like a teacher with a class of children.
Some people wouldn’t like the comparison.
I’m not who you think I am
When Alison first moved to Dublin she stayed in a hostel for a while. She eventually found herself a job in Swords. It was a very progressive multinational company where she worked for the Financial Controller. Sometimes she had to work late, but it was a means to an end. She felt like she was starting from scratch but she put her skills to good use, and soon felt she was really fitting in. She moved from a bed-sit to a comfortable flat in Drumcondra. Money was tight after paying the rent, but she still managed to socialise at weekends with a few of the girls from work. Two evenings a week she worked as a waitress at a local hotel. She put on her uniform, a black dress and little white apron tied around her waist. They were mostly corporate functions and dinner dances. It was hard work but she liked the other women and enjoyed the banter. The evenings went by quickly. Although she didn’t finish until just after midnight, it was only a ten minute walk to her flat. She didn’t tell anyone at her day job what she was doing. It was no one’s business. Allison was managing week to week, but she realised the importance of having money put by for a rainy day.
A Visit to the Garden Centre in Bray
It was Thursday. My son Dylan asked me if I wanted anything in Woodies on the Boghall Road, Bray. He was going to buy paint to finish the last bedroom in the house he shares with his wife Jenn. I was being brought along as there’s a 10% discount for pensioners on a Thursday. I said “yes” as I needed to get a special paint for a few damp spots at home. Upon arrival we meandered between the paints, garden equipment, furniture and rows of everything you could think of to do with your house and garden. Other people were wandering around, picking up things and inspecting them, putting on reading glasses to look more closely, moving at a leisurely place. A few were already at the checkout, decisions made.
josephine nolan 