10 Things I Love About Ireland
Cat
order:
1) strong breakfast tea (much better than shite coffee on offer everywhere)
2) pint with friends in quiet pub
3) talking politics/religion/love/war/rebuilding the world/shite over same
(pint, that is, not friend)
4) fresh brown scones, butter and home made raspberry jam
5) respect for grief (and quality of funeral rites - I know, it sounds
weird.. just take it from me)
6) Bushmills green label (in small quantities)
7) Ease with which ice is broken and friends are made (with small effort on
one's side)
8) Informality and absence of taking oneself too seriously, including at
work
9) The smell of turf burning
10) The country at its lushest green when the first cut of silage is made
11) The undescribable beauty of the West Coast, from Inishowen to Roches
Point.
Hell, that's 11, and I can still think of a few... ah well.
Cat(h)
docaay
>
> Hell, that's 11, and I can still think of a few... ah well.
> Cat(h)
Very nice, Cat. I hope the natives don't start slagging this
one. I'd add the quick wit and ease of story-telling from some of
the residents.
Doc
Holly
Cat <cathy_ie@(spamfree)yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Fy1Y6.9594$Fk7....@news.indigo.ie...
> I'm a great believer in balance... so here they go, again in no particular
> order:
>
> weird.. just take it from me)
> Hell, that's 11, and I can still think of a few... ah well.
> Cat(h)
12.) Fighting over the inheritance before Nanny is even shoved in the hole.
"Here's a little butter to help you get that ring off your finger dear."
Holly
Si
up. I feel I should reciprocate with a 10 things I hate about the south of
England.
Then I have been here too long and the apathy...........
<sigh>
<sniff>
I remain untroubled by happiness.
p.s. Following your lead I tried to run around the Airfield here. 3.5 Mile
circuit. Jaysus I am bollixed. The old plates of meat are killing me.
Perhaps I shouldn't have worn the wellies. The woolly breeches also chaffed
a little so I have to walk like John Wayne for a bit. I thought the cricket
jumper and scarf went down well with the locals though. I may sally forth
again tomorrow (If I can get me hands on some axle grease for
deunmentionables).
--
Si,
Bog Snorkler Extrordinaire
Si
Goawayottadat. We're all thick as shite and burdened with the misconception
that strangers are actually as in love with the sound of our voices as we
are.... oh bollix I didn't see the "some of the residents" bit on yer post.
KateH
> I'm inspired by your example.
> 10 things this Irishman loved about living in America:
I knew you were gonna miss us. :)
Kate(evil grin)H
The Pirate Queen
"Féachadóir" <Féach@d.óir> wrote in
> Scríobh "Cat" <cathy_ie@(spamfree)yahoo.com>
> >I'm a great believer in balance... so here they go, again in no
particular
> >order:
>
>
> 10 things this Irishman loved about living in America:
>
shall I bring ya some in September? ;-) Rebel Countess says the same about
the bagels she had when living in London and actually had a friend of ours
bring some over when she visited Ireland
please tell me you like the savory ones Ger and not those namby-pamby fruity
things!
> 3 - Really scary fundamentalist televangelists who make our mad Irish
> priests seem reasonable by comparison.
LOL! yeah I could see that
> 4 - Smarts. We slag them for being a bunch of uninformed provincials,
> but some of the smartest people I ever met were Americans
hmmm... interesting comment because I've certainly met some very smart Irish
too, and also smart and informed of things outside your own sphere, are two
different things though
> 5 - Interstate highways
yes, didn't really appreciate this until I started traveling outside of the
US.... don't think I'm ever gonna forget the hedges on the side of the road
in Ireland attacking me when I had the window down and we met another car
coming in the other direction..... the size and state of roads in Ireland is
appalling IMHO considering the taxes you pay
> 6 - NPR
in total agreement
> 8 - Mexicans, for being more Irish than the Irish
no comprende senor
> 9 - Ranch Dressing
hell do I have to bring some of this too?!
PQ
Séimí mac Liam
KateH <hock...@innw.nospam.net> wrote in message
news:tj1g82b...@corp.supernews.com...
off to Amerikay that I hate" thread. At least it'll be about Ireland.
Tom Keating
Rule 1: Don't flush 'em out until we're ready to take a shot.
Yeah, thanks a lot, Kate! :>(>
Séimí mac Liam
The Pirate Queen <p...@whothehellcares.com> wrote in message
news:9gqflo$209$1...@news.jump.net...
>
>
> > 9 - Ranch Dressing
>
> hell do I have to bring some of this too?!
>
KateH
> The woolly breeches also chaffed
> a little so I have to walk like John Wayne for a bit.
Lycra......... :)
KateH
Si
:Si wrote
:
This is the south of Engerland, my dear. Lycra on a gent just wouldn't do.
Besides its garish colours and <ahem> cosseting appearance ruins the
ambience of faded glory that pervades this place.
China Kate Sunflower
cannonballs, "Cat"'s motto is:
12) The way everyone in a pub instantly goes quiet when a singer begins his or
her song.
13) The ubiquitousness of music and the way young people are not embarassed or
ashamed to love folk/trad music the way they are over here.
K.
--
The Dude abides.
Tom Walsh
> I'm a great believer in balance... so here they go, again in no particular
> order:
>
> 1) strong breakfast tea (much better than shite coffee on offer everywhere)
Much better than any coffee. Always baffles me why mainland Europeans have never
mastered the art of a decent cup of tea.
> 10) The country at its lushest green when the first cut of silage is made
Now you're making me homesick.
Si
:Besides its garish colours and <ahem> cosseting appearance ruins the
:ambience of faded glory that pervades this place.
Upon mature recollection maybe cosseting my wares in lycra would fit with
the faded glory.
KateH
fit with
> the faded glory.
Oh stop it already......just wear it UNDER the wooley britches.
KateH :)
KateH
> "KateH" <hock...@innw.nospam.net> wrote:
> >Féachadóir wrote
> >> I'm inspired by your example.
> >> 10 things this Irishman loved about living in America:
> >
> >I knew you were gonna miss us. :)
> >Kate(evil grin)H
>
> Rule 1: Don't flush 'em out until we're ready to take a shot.
Well, don't take all day about it........
Kate(restless bird-dog)H
Cat
"Holly" <HOLLY...@PRODIGY.NET> wrote in message
news:9gqd5o$bcn0$1...@newssvr06-en0.news.prodigy.com...
That sounds to me very much like negativity being fostered here... ;-))
Cat(h) (I suspect it is - regrettably - an international phenomenon,
though - call it the yukky part of human nature...)
Pilar Quezzaire
: please tell me you like the savory ones Ger and not those namby-pamby
: fruity things!
Am I heretic for liknmg egg bagels with lox and red onion? Savory ones I
have trouble with too.
:> 4 - Smarts. We slag them for being a bunch of uninformed provincials,
:> but some of the smartest people I ever met were Americans
If Ger actually reads this, I'd be curious as to what he means by "smart".
I don't think we're as good on wit and gab as the Irish, but thosieo f us
who work hard learn a good deal.
: hmmm... interesting comment because I've certainly met some very smart Irish
: too, and also smart and informed of things outside your own sphere, are two
: different things though
*nod* That was my question. I'm interested to see this one elaborated on.
Comparative educations and expectations of intelligence sound kinda
interesting.
:> 6 - NPR
: in total agreement
I live for NPR. It's national treasure.
:> 8 - Mexicans, for being more Irish than the Irish
: no comprende senor
If he means Mexicans in Chicago, then I am laughing on the floor, in
agreement. There are some funny stories in politics about that.
--
Just Pilar
Turlough
> 2 - Coffee
I don't understand the coffee problem in Ireland that a lot of people
complain about. Is it the lack of certain brands or perhaps the water?
Your dairy products are generally superior to ours, and that goes a long
way to make even piss brands like Maxwell House palatable.
Turlough
kfuzzbox
> I'm a great believer in balance... so here they go, again in no particular
> order:
>
> 1) strong breakfast tea (much better than shite coffee on offer everywhere)
Not to mention the lovely milk have in this country. Our dairy products
in generally are second to none. The butter is fantastic.
> 2) pint with friends in quiet pub
Sadly there are less and less quite pubs. I am starting to activly
boycott pub which have loud radios or televisions.
> 4) fresh brown scones, butter and home made raspberry jam
> 5) respect for grief (and quality of funeral rites - I know, it sounds
> weird.. just take it from me)
> 6) Bushmills green label (in small quantities)
> 7) Ease with which ice is broken and friends are made (with small effort on
> one's side)
> 8) Informality and absence of taking oneself too seriously, including at
> work
> 9) The smell of turf burning
I have a turf fire going in the living room right now. I am wearing an
aran sweater - I am a Bord Failte wet dream. All I need is a woman. I am
getting sick of sleeping with me hands under the covers.
> 10) The country at its lushest green when the first cut of silage is made
> 11) The undescribable beauty of the West Coast, from Inishowen to Roches
> Point.
Lots of the west is crap as well. Most of Mayo is horrible and filled
with idiots.
Howard Beale
Séimí mac Liam <gwydd...@aracnet.com> wrote in message
news:pn3Y6.90087$F6.2...@typhoon.aracnet.com...
It stopped raining 10 times.
--
Howard Beale
"I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore"
Cat
"Turlough" <Turlo...@excite.com> wrote in message
news:3B30DC37...@excite.com...
You forget about those among us who don't mix our drinks, and don't
adulterate the stuff with sugar either...
There is good coffee available in Ireland. You can buy it in bean (or
ground) form from quite a few shops in many towns and cities. But
restaurants mostly buy dark roast stuff - i.e. incinerated beans of poorer
quality which taste mostly of burnt, with a vaguely coffeey after taste
meant to fool the throngs. They then proceed to either transform the stuff
into espressos through espresso machines - fine, but bitter as hell and
yukky because the coffee is crap in the first place, or make a bags of
brewing it.
Whatever the quality of the coffee they buy, they generally cannot brew it -
i.e. too little coffee is used, it is generally over-ground - which makes it
bitter - then left to stew on a hotplate for hours... and then served to the
unsuspecting customer.
If you complain that it is awful, you get an angelic smiling young slip of a
thing that tells you that it is "percolated", i.e. at least 100 steps above
what here has been the norm for centuries, i.e. instant coffee. Ye're
supposed to be thankful that beans were actually involved at all !!!
Grrrmmmppppfffff... don't get me started.
Cat(h) (damn, you just have !!)
Ri-ra
"Cat" <cathy_ie@(spamfree)yahoo.com> wrote:
>restaurants mostly buy dark roast stuff - i.e. incinerated beans of poorer
>quality which taste mostly of burnt, with a vaguely coffeey after taste
>meant to fool the throngs. They then proceed to either transform the stuff
>into espressos through espresso machines - fine, but bitter as hell and
>yukky because the coffee is crap in the first place, or make a bags of
>brewing it.
Wow. Sounds just like Starbucks.
--
[Posted at boards.ie]
http://www.boards.ie/
Ireland's Bulletin Boards, News Groups, Chat Rooms
After Hours - Games - Technology - Work - For Sale
China Kate Sunflower
>
>"Cat" <cathy_ie@(spamfree)yahoo.com> writes:
>
>> I'm a great believer in balance... so here they go, again in no particular
>> order:
>>
>> 1) strong breakfast tea (much better than shite coffee on offer everywhere)
>
>Much better than any coffee. Always baffles me why mainland Europeans have never
>mastered the art of a decent cup of tea.
Those of us from across the pond are baffled as to why ye lot still haven't
figured out how to make a decent cup of joe. I find myself having to choke down
the swill you humorously call "coffee" over there, because I detest tea with all
my heart and soul.
China Kate Sunflower
Responding to my own post...
14) Ham and coleslaw sandwiches.
15) Good flavorful pork sausages (America doesn't do pork very well unless it's
barbecued ribs.)
16) Pureed veg soup with brown bread and soft yellow butter (or with one of
those ham and slaw sambos) and a small glass of beer in a pub on a cold and
drizzly February afternoon.
K., can you tell it's lunchtime where I am?
China Kate Sunflower
>
>Cat <cathy_ie@(spamfree)yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> I'm a great believer in balance... so here they go, again in no particular
>> order:
>>
>> 1) strong breakfast tea (much better than shite coffee on offer everywhere)
>
>Not to mention the lovely milk have in this country. Our dairy products
>in generally are second to none. The butter is fantastic.
Your ice cream isn't all that great. Even the store-brand ice cream over here
is of a much higher quality than the commercial stuff over there.
K.
Pilar Quezzaire
: "Cat" <cathy_ie@(spamfree)yahoo.com> wrote:
:>restaurants mostly buy dark roast stuff - i.e. incinerated beans of poorer
:>quality which taste mostly of burnt, with a vaguely coffeey after taste
:>meant to fool the throngs. They then proceed to either transform the stuff
:>into espressos through espresso machines - fine, but bitter as hell and
:>yukky because the coffee is crap in the first place, or make a bags of
:>brewing it.
: Wow. Sounds just like Starbucks.
Yeeuck, McCoffee!
--
Just Pilar
Starvin' Unki
wrote:
> Goddamn, well I declare! Have you seen the like? Their walls are built on
> cannonballs, kfuz...@tinet.ie's motto is:
> >Not to mention the lovely milk have in this country. Our dairy products
> >in generally are second to none. The butter is fantastic.
>
> Your ice cream isn't all that great. Even the store-brand ice cream over here
> is of a much higher quality than the commercial stuff over there.
I wouldn't know, I don't eat ice cream and never have really. Your
butter is terrible. It's like lard or something. Also, the only place in
the world you get amazing pizza in in US cities. I have never had decent
Pizza in Ireland. I really miss Mexican food as well.
Why the fuck did I ever come back!
*mutter...mutter...mutter*
Meredith C. Ryan
> > 9) The smell of turf burning
>
> I have a turf fire going in the living room right now. I am wearing an
> aran sweater - I am a Bord Failte wet dream. All I need is a woman. I am
> getting sick of sleeping with me hands under the covers.
Pardon my intrusion, but a fire? And a sweater? In June? Sounds heavenly. I only
wish I had need for such things.
Sage
Careful there Cat, ya could be threading on eggshells:)
K.
>
>
>
docaay
> > Cat(h) (I suspect it is - regrettably - an international phenomenon,
> > though - call it the yukky part of human nature...)
>
> Careful there Cat, ya could be threading on eggshells:)
>
> K.
Eggsactly. Don't want any threadbare posts.
Doc
Sage
You hit the nail on the head there. What is it with Irish restaurants that
they have to produce this bitter grainy stuff that sits on your stomach like
lead and leaves you feeling lethargic? The only conclusion I can come to is
that they buy it cheap.
K.
>
>
Pilar Quezzaire
: I wouldn't know, I don't eat ice cream and never have really. Your
: butter is terrible. It's like lard or something. Also, the only place in
: the world you get amazing pizza in in US cities. I have never had decent
: Pizza in Ireland. I really miss Mexican food as well.
Pizza's terrible in Boston. I miss Chicago-style deep-dish.
Weird too, because I had some really good Mexican food in Dublin. No lie.
--
Just Pilar
Cat
Sage <k.pr...@nospamiegateway.net> wrote in message
news:R78Y6.7509$IQ2....@news.iol.ie...
It's a well known fact in the coffee trade. The poorer beans are always
roasted very dark to hide lack of flavour with literally a burnt taste, you
then call them "French Roast", or "Dark Roast", and because few people have
tasted the really good stuff in Ireland, you get away with pretending to all
that this disgusting ditch water which tastes bitter as hell and has the
requisite amount of caffeine is the real thing.
Cat(h)
Cat
Féachadóir <Féach@d.óir> wrote in message
news:pi92jtclls90b9pdp...@4ax.com...
> Scríobh Donn <9j82jtcn6bvagjpm0...@4ax.com> :
>
> >China Kate Sunflower wrote:
> >>Your ice cream isn't all that great. Even the store-brand ice cream
over here
> >>is of a much higher quality than the commercial stuff over there.
> >
> >WHAT?!!! :)
> >
> >A little tub of HB ice cream is way better in taste and texture than the
> >much-vaunted Häagen-Dazs over here, and probably half the price too.
>
> I has a 99 today. In six years in the US, I never saw a 99.
You can add that one in YOUR list of 10 things you love about Ireland. I'll
give it a miss.. not for flavour, but for lack of convenience..
Ever notice how you always buy those when you're on the move and it's hot ?
(well, just over 20 degree hot, that is) Ever notice how it always ends up
on the front of your tee shirt or your lap ?
And just you try driving with one o'dem in yer mit !!!
99's are now number 16 in my list of pet hates.
Cat(h) (NOW I know why you came back :-)
Cat
Donn <e.@.c.h.u.i.s.c.e> wrote in message
news:kl72jtsfe0jpmpc7e...@4ax.com...
> >5) respect for grief (and quality of funeral rites - I know, it sounds
> >weird.. just take it from me)
>
> Not weird at all, I know exactly what you mean.
> One of the major reasons for me wanting to go home, after losing a few
> friends here and still missing them. The time at home that's given to the
> farewell, from the initial disbelief through the intense period of
> rememberance and acceptance of both the good and the bad and the troubled
> and the peculiar and the funny and what he did and said and how he got on
> or didn't with people, a way of grieving so thoroughly together with
family
> and acquaintances and friends from every stage of the life that's gone
that
> there's nearly nothing left to be sad about after it's all over.
>
I couldn't have put it better myself. :-)
Cat(h)
Cat
Féachadóir <Féach@d.óir> wrote in message
news:s6b2jtksg3lredqv8...@4ax.com...
> Scríobh Cat <6X9Y6.9797$Fk7....@news.indigo.ie> :
>
> >> I has a 99 today. In six years in the US, I never saw a 99.
>
> >And just you try driving with one o'dem in yer mit !!!
>
> So sit in the parked car and eat it first. Or do you yap on the
> mobile phone while driving too?
>
I confess I do... but the phone is in an in-car set, and it does not melt on
my lap :-)
Cat(h) (so, I look silly talking to myself, but I don't fry my brain and am
less dangerous for fellow-drivers...)
Ri-ra
Féachadóir <Féach@d.óir> wrote:
>Scríobh Donn <9j82jtcn6bvagjpm0...@4ax.com> :
>
>>China Kate Sunflower wrote:
here
>>>is of a much higher quality than the commercial stuff over there.
>>
>>
>>A little tub of HB ice cream is way better in taste and texture than the
>>much-vaunted Häagen-Dazs over here, and probably half the price too.
>
I agree with the HB thingy.
But wouldn't that Dairy Queen soft-serve stuff come close to a 99?
R
Ivomec
>Scríobh Donn <9j82jtcn6bvagjpm0...@4ax.com> :
>
>>China Kate Sunflower wrote:
>>>Your ice cream isn't all that great. Even the store-brand ice cream over here
>>>is of a much higher quality than the commercial stuff over there.
>>
>>WHAT?!!! :)
>>
>>A little tub of HB ice cream is way better in taste and texture than the
>>much-vaunted Häagen-Dazs over here, and probably half the price too.
>
>I has a 99 today. In six years in the US, I never saw a 99.
Yeah, whatever.
Those things are bad for you anyways.
>--
>Gearóid Mac Cuinneagáin abardubh at eircom dot net
MMcC
Ivomec
>
>Féachadóir <Féach@d.óir> wrote:
>>Scríobh Donn <9j82jtcn6bvagjpm0...@4ax.com> :
>>
>>>China Kate Sunflower wrote:
>>>>Your ice cream isn't all that great. Even the store-brand ice cream over
>here
>>>>is of a much higher quality than the commercial stuff over there.
>>>
>>>WHAT?!!! :)
>>>
>>>A little tub of HB ice cream is way better in taste and texture than the
>>>much-vaunted Häagen-Dazs over here, and probably half the price too.
>>
>>I has a 99 today. In six years in the US, I never saw a 99.
>
>I agree with the HB thingy.
>But wouldn't that Dairy Queen soft-serve stuff come close to a 99?
No it wouldn't.
Alright lads, that's enough talk of 99's. Let's talk about the weather, isn't supposed to be pissing
raining in Waterford this weekend?
>R
MMcC
Ri-ra
Féachadóir <Féach@d.óir> wrote:
>>I agree with the HB thingy.
>>But wouldn't that Dairy Queen soft-serve stuff come close to a 99?
>
I've seen them stick a Flake in them.
Mind you they even put that marshmallow gunk from a jar on it.
Who invented that? Ecch.
>--
>Gearóid Mac Cuinneagáin abardubh at eircom dot net
>Read the Irish FAQ: http://www.geocities.com/welisc/ifaq
>Seanfhocal na Seachtaine:
> "Ba choir do na hoibrí a lámha a ní"
Cat
Donn <e.@.c.h.u.i.s.c.e> wrote in message
news:m3c2jtcrqo2gtjlnq...@4ax.com...
> Féachadóir wrote:
> >Scríobh Cat:
> >>> I has a 99 today. In six years in the US, I never saw a 99.
>
> That invention was sheer simple genius.
> It may not always be made with HB though.
>
> >>And just you try driving with one o'dem in yer mit !!!
> >
> >So sit in the parked car and eat it first.
>
> Not at all, you snorf all the excess ice cream from around the flake
first,
> then you can take your time with the rest of it.
>
> Besides, eating ice cream of any sort is for when you're outside strolling
> around or sitting outside somewhere people-watching.
> And eating in a car at all is a bad habit the Americans started.
>
Agreed. Although strolling along the beachfront (one always buys 99 when
strolling along beachfront), the following arises:
1) the ice cream is cold, so is the wind that whips you up (mid summer), so
you get frost bites
2) the ice cream melts (although it's cold, it is less so that in the
freezer it came from), so it melts and end up on your tee shirt
3) kids can't handle it, neither some times can adults, so it ends up
littering the promenade, and you have to avoid splats of 99 as well as dog
turds and pukes from the drunks of the previous night (generally you're
strolling on a Sunday)
Give me a Magnum any time - has anyone tried their DOUBLE CHOCOLATE ?? Now,
there's divine !!
You can stuff your 99 up yer jersey !!
Cat(h) (ice cream connaisseur)
Cat
Féachadóir <Féach@d.óir> wrote in message
news:p4d2jtk9u5jvch6ol...@4ax.com...
> Scríobh Ri-ra <3b313365$1...@news.boards.ie> :
> >Féachadóir <Féach@d.óir> wrote:
> >>Scríobh Donn <9j82jtcn6bvagjpm0...@4ax.com> :
> >>
> >>>China Kate Sunflower wrote:
> >>>>Your ice cream isn't all that great. Even the store-brand ice cream
over
> >here
> >>>>is of a much higher quality than the commercial stuff over there.
> >>>
> >>>WHAT?!!! :)
> >>>
> >>>A little tub of HB ice cream is way better in taste and texture than
the
> >>>much-vaunted Häagen-Dazs over here, and probably half the price too.
> >>
> >>I has a 99 today. In six years in the US, I never saw a 99.
> >
> >I agree with the HB thingy.
> >But wouldn't that Dairy Queen soft-serve stuff come close to a 99?
>
> Without the twirl, what's the point?
>
SSshhhheeeeshhhh, man... do I really have to remind you of your own
country's institutions ??
It ain't a Twirl, it's a Flake !!!
Shame on your next 5 generations !
Cat(h)
Cat
Féachadóir <Féach@d.óir> wrote in message
news:u1e2jtss5glnn2pr2...@4ax.com...
> Scríobh Cat <zGaY6.9823$Fk7....@news.indigo.ie> :
> >Féachadóir <Féach@d.óir> wrote in message
>
> >> >But wouldn't that Dairy Queen soft-serve stuff come close to a 99?
> >>
> >> Without the twirl, what's the point?
> >>
> >
> >SSshhhheeeeshhhh, man... do I really have to remind you of your own
> >country's institutions ??
> >It ain't a Twirl, it's a Flake !!!
>
> But the Flake is twirly :)
No, it's foldy and crumbly. Most definitely not twirly.
You're talking to the chocolate expert here. So bow humbly, if you can.
Cat(h)
Tony Cooper
> Pizza's terrible in Boston. I miss Chicago-style deep-dish.
Uno's and Due's (sp?)? Uno's was great until they franchised.
Terrible stuff in the franchise places.
--
Tony Cooper aka: Tony_Co...@Yahoo.com
Provider of Jots & Tittles
Tony Cooper
> I has a 99 today. In six years in the US, I never saw a 99.
What were the extra 30?
Brendan Breathnach
"Féachadóir" <Féach@d.óir> wrote:
news:pi92jtclls90b9pdp...@4ax.com...
over here
> >>is of a much higher quality than the commercial stuff over there.
> >
> >
> >A little tub of HB ice cream is way better in taste and texture than the
> >much-vaunted Häagen-Dazs over here, and probably half the price too.
>
Many's the memory I have of the beloved 99. I was always mesmerized by the
art of making a cone, and little did I know that I'd get the opportunity
myself at the grand old age of 12. I'd got a job during the school holidays
in the local supermarket and as temperatures soared in the Summer of '81, a
cone machine was installed to the great delight of bogmen and women who'd
been breaking their arses footing turf and saving hay all day. Slurp sluuurp
jaysis slurrrpp jaysus dat's fuckin lovely ice-cream shchluurrrpppppp.
Up until then, the nearest cone machines were to be found in the more exotic
towns of Connacht - faraway places like Ballyhaunis and Castlerea, and any
time we played a primary schools football match in these great places, and a
few years before we all became tragic alcoholics, an innocent 99 was always
savoured after the match.
So the new cone machine was met with great excitement. Word spread quickly
and before long everyone was coming in for cones. I remember the Bishop
himself coming in one day and buying three cones, one for himself - a 99
plastered with raspberry - and two small ones for the curates sitting out in
the car. Men who'd been drinking all day in the pub would stagger in and buy
six or seven cones - depending on how many kids the poor wife had to bear.
They'd then head home, home often been a few miles out the road, their
weasely tongues trying to lick the dripping ice-cream, in the hopes of
salvaging something that resembled a cone for the kids.
I'd been working for about a month in the supermarket, when one day a line
of people standing at the cone machine were waiting impatiently to be
served. Our resident cone-pulling experts were not there and one of the
cashiers ordered me over from my typical job of packing shelves to "pull"
cones for the needful people. I was as nervous as hell, but still itching to
try it out. I made a bollix of the first few but before long, I was pulling
fairly reasonable cones. Some were a bit lopsided, but most of the people
were expert cone lickers at this stage, and even if the ice-cream was ready
to fall off on one side and plonk to the ground, they were adept in the art
of ferociously licking on the top-heavy side, until the cone started to
balance itself out. Doubtless, some poor kids were no sooner outside the
siopa when the ice-cream fell off and splattered all over the footpath like
a lump of cowshite.
I was doing great until the two sexiest girls in town arrived - a little bit
of perspiration to be seen on their beautiful brows - craving a nice big
creamy 99, all covered in demonic raspberry, and a big stick of chocolate
flake protruding from the cone in all its glory . They were older girls,
sixteen or seventeen, and my heart was pounding. I was sweating like mad,
afraid I'd fuck this up and make a bit eejit out of myself. My knees were
wobbling and my arse was taut as they pulled some change from their pockets,
looked at the prices of the cones scribbled on the wall, gave me a flirty
look though sad look, and disappointedly asked for two small cones, as that'
s all they could afford.
Of course, with me, it didn't matter what size you asked for, as I hadn't
yet mastered this art, small cones often growing to humungous proportions,
and large cones often a major disappointment, leaving both women and men
very unsatisfied. However, I was secretly in love with Martina so I kept
layering the ice-cream on, rolling and rolling the cone beneath the pouring
ice-cream, and the girl truly gasped when she saw the finished product. Her
friend couldn't believe the size of it either, and the two of them literally
gulped and said "wow" or "jaysus" or something like that as they took the
cone in their grateful hands
.
I was very proud of myself I have to admit. I went back to packing shelves
in the supermarket very chuffed. About a minute later, I heard an almighty
yell. I looked around the corner and there was the boss running to the cone
machine like a hoor in distress, ice-cream shooting everywhere and a big
heap of the best whipped concentrate smathered all over the floor. I had
forgot to turn the feckin thing off. I was sure I'd get a right bollicking
but my hide was saved when this auld bogman who'd been standing there
waiting for a cone shouts:
"Jaysus, it's been spewin out now for I'd say at least a good ten minutes."
My boss looked at him, his head bullin. "And you just stood there lookin at
it, you fuckin thick eejit."
Breathnach
Holly
>
> "Holly" <HOLLY...@PRODIGY.NET> wrote in message
> news:9gqd5o$bcn0$1...@newssvr06-en0.news.prodigy.com...
> >
> > > I'm a great believer in balance... so here they go, again in no
> particular
> > > order:
> > >
> > > weird.. just take it from me)
> >
> > > Cat(h)
> >
> > 12.) Fighting over the inheritance before Nanny is even shoved in the
> hole.
> > "Here's a little butter to help you get that ring off your finger dear."
> >
> > Holly
> >
>
> That sounds to me very much like negativity being fostered here... ;-))
> though - call it the yukky part of human nature...)
Actually, I left out the part about flippin' her over onto the floor with
the bed pan landing on her head to rifle under her mattress for the pennies
she's earned taking in laundry.
Holly
Tony Cooper
The way and Irishman gives you directions to get someplace.
Add to the list of the 10 Things I love about Ireland:
The way and Irishman gives you directions to get someplace.
Pilar Quezzaire
: It's a well known fact in the coffee trade. The poorer beans are always
: roasted very dark to hide lack of flavour with literally a burnt taste, you
: then call them "French Roast", or "Dark Roast", and because few people have
: tasted the really good stuff in Ireland, you get away with pretending to all
: that this disgusting ditch water which tastes bitter as hell and has the
: requisite amount of caffeine is the real thing.
What would be heaven is a French cafe au lait with Irish milk, Belgian
dark chocolate, and Brazilian sugar.
I think I'll start planning my next field trip..
--
Just Pilar
Donn
Cat wrote:
>Give me a Magnum any time - has anyone tried their DOUBLE CHOCOLATE ??
Now,
>there's divine !!
>You can stuff your 99 up yer jersey !!
>Cat(h) (ice cream connaisseur)
Chocolate ice cream is an insult to both chocolate and ice cream.
Ice cream should be ordinary plain ice cream.
Chocolate is chocolate, a complement, not an ingredient.
What's a Magnum anyway?
Cat
"Donn" <e.@.c.h.u.i.s.c.e> wrote in message
Gasp !!! You've been gone too long ! Come back quick, and see what you
missed...
Magnum Original is yummy vanilla ice cream (with the little black vanilla
pod bits in it an' all) with a shell of belgian choc around it... yummy !
Magnum double choc is sinful choc ice cream (I disagree with you there, choc
ice cream can be delicious, I make a mean one meself) covered with a layer
of chocolate fudgy kinda sauce, covered in belgian chocolate.
Actually, this makes me feel a bit queasy right now.. too early for ice
cream. I'd better start on my second pint of coffee.
Cat(h)
Si
:
Probably the most powerful handgun in the world. Do ya feel Lucky?
--
Si,
Bog Snorkler Extrordinaire
Si
:> What's a Magnum anyway?
:
:Gasp !!! You've been gone too long ! Come back quick, and see what you
:missed...
:Magnum Original is yummy vanilla ice cream (with the little black vanilla
:pod bits in it an' all) with a shell of belgian choc around it... yummy !
:Magnum double choc is sinful choc ice cream (I disagree with you there,
choc
:ice cream can be delicious, I make a mean one meself) covered with a layer
:of chocolate fudgy kinda sauce, covered in belgian chocolate.
:Actually, this makes me feel a bit queasy right now.. too early for ice
:cream. I'd better start on my second pint of coffee.
:Cat(h)
:
:
I'm kinda gone on the White Magnum <.wibble> gaaaaaaaaaa.....
China Kate Sunflower
cannonballs, Pilar's motto is:
>
>Starvin' Unki <kfuz...@tinet.ie> offered this sage advice:
>
>: I wouldn't know, I don't eat ice cream and never have really. Your
>: butter is terrible. It's like lard or something. Also, the only place in
>: the world you get amazing pizza in in US cities. I have never had decent
>: Pizza in Ireland. I really miss Mexican food as well.
>
>Pizza's terrible in Boston. I miss Chicago-style deep-dish.
Local greek-owned joints seem to have the best pizza. McGoo's in Southie has a
good chicken and pesto pizza, and a nice greek pizza which has gyro, feta, and
fresh tomato on it. Yum yum. I still haven't found a good sausage pizza around
here, though. The Bertucci's "sporkie" is OK.
Nothing beats Antonio's in Amherst, though. Nothing. Best pizza In The World.
K.
--
The Dude abides.
China Kate Sunflower
>
>
>Féachadóir <Féach@d.óir> wrote:
>>Scríobh Donn <9j82jtcn6bvagjpm0...@4ax.com> :
>>
>>>China Kate Sunflower wrote:
>>>>Your ice cream isn't all that great. Even the store-brand ice cream over
>here
>>>>is of a much higher quality than the commercial stuff over there.
>>>
>>>WHAT?!!! :)
>>>
>>>A little tub of HB ice cream is way better in taste and texture than the
>>>much-vaunted Häagen-Dazs over here, and probably half the price too.
>>
>>I has a 99 today. In six years in the US, I never saw a 99.
>
>I agree with the HB thingy.
>But wouldn't that Dairy Queen soft-serve stuff come close to a 99?
I missed the first "objection" post, so I reply here:
I'm not wild about Haagen Dazs, I think it's just as good as store-brand. I
don't care for HB, I much prefer Stop & Shop's ice cream. Breyers is good, too,
and you can't beat a good soft-serve twist with jimmies from the ice-cream
truck.
China Kate Sunflower
BLASPHEMER!!! HERETIC!!! SINNER!!!
K., gimme Stop & Flop's chocolate ice cream ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.
KateH
> But the Flake is twirly :)
Okay......I was gonna ignore all this "ice cream euphoria", but I love that
line a lot. :)
I'll bite, what the heck is a 99?
KateH
KateH
That's the silliest thing I've ever heard......Ice cream should be coconut
(not coconut and other misc. nuts .......just coconut) and eaten on a hot
beach .....especially when you're 16 and wearing a bikini.
KateH
Meredith C. Ryan
:::sigh:::
I really need to get over there and experience it for myself....someday.
Meredith C. Ryan
May your heart be warm and happy
With the lilt of Irish laughter
Every day in every way
And forever and ever after.
Cat
"KateH" <hock...@innw.nospam.net> wrote in message
news:tj42i1p...@corp.supernews.com...
Think wafer cone, slushy soft (and not particularly good) vanilly ice cream
on draft from a maaachine, into which a triumphant shop keeper plants a
Cadbury Flake. NOw, I hear you ask, and what is a flake ??
A flake is a roughly square section chocolate bar about 4 inches long, with
a very rough texture, coz I imagine the chocolate is poured in very thin
folds into the mould. So it is very "foldy", and not "twirly", as some
Donegal heretics might have you believe, and it is very very crumbly.
In some particularly imaginative shops, they will even squirt some
high-additive raspberry flavoured syrup on top.
Cat(h) (SCI gourmet advisor)
>
Si
:
:Think wafer cone, slushy soft (and not particularly good) vanilly ice cream
:on draft from a maaachine, into which a triumphant shop keeper plants a
:Cadbury Flake. NOw, I hear you ask, and what is a flake ??
:A flake is a roughly square section chocolate bar about 4 inches long, with
:a very rough texture, coz I imagine the chocolate is poured in very thin
:folds into the mould. So it is very "foldy", and not "twirly", as some
:Donegal heretics might have you believe, and it is very very crumbly.
:In some particularly imaginative shops, they will even squirt some
:high-additive raspberry flavoured syrup on top.
:Cat(h) (SCI gourmet advisor)
:
:
Wha' about the Hundreds 'n tousands?
KateH
> Cat wrote in message ...
> :Think wafer cone, slushy soft (and not particularly good) vanilly ice
cream
> :on draft from a maaachine, into which a triumphant shop keeper plants a
> :Cadbury Flake. NOw, I hear you ask, and what is a flake ??
> :A flake is a roughly square section chocolate bar about 4 inches long,
with
> :a very rough texture, coz I imagine the chocolate is poured in very thin
> :folds into the mould. So it is very "foldy", and not "twirly", as some
> :Donegal heretics might have you believe, and it is very very crumbly.
> :In some particularly imaginative shops, they will even squirt some
> :high-additive raspberry flavoured syrup on top.
> :Cat(h) (SCI gourmet advisor)
Thanks for the info......it sounds heavenly, if you're about 8 years
old........or if it's really hot. :)
> Wha' about the Hundreds 'n tousands?
Wha? Calories? :)
KateH
Cat
"Si" <simonicu...@nofeckinspammy-deja.com> wrote in message
news:993136912.7610.0...@news.demon.co.uk...
> :
> :
> Wha' about the Hundreds 'n tousands?
>
Jaysus ! Dem fancy tings were well after my days ! In my days, ye went to
school barefoot, and all de shops were offerin' were de big washing up
liquid squirty bottles full of fluo red ("raspberry") or fluo green ("mint",
at least I tink it was mint I never had the heart to try) gunk to squirt on
top.
Cat(h)
KateH
> "Si" wrote
> > Wha' about the Hundreds 'n tousands?
>
> Jaysus ! Dem fancy tings were well after my days ! In my days, ye went
to
> school barefoot, and all de shops were offerin' were de big washing up
> liquid squirty bottles full of fluo red ("raspberry") or fluo green
("mint",
> at least I tink it was mint I never had the heart to try) gunk to squirt
on
> top.
I'm not even going to hazard a guess on this one.
KateH
sage
"hundreds of thousands" are miniscule coloured candy shell balls which are
sprinkled on deserts. They were considered quite posh in the 50's and 60's,
and that is basically where the notion about them stayed.
K.
Séimí mac Liam
sage <k.pr...@nospamiegateway.net> wrote in message
news:M_oY6.9999$Fk7....@news.indigo.ie...
>
>
> "hundreds of thousands" are miniscule coloured candy shell balls
which are
> sprinkled on deserts. They were considered quite posh in the 50's
and 60's,
> and that is basically where the notion about them stayed.
>
KateH
> "KateH" wrote ...
> > Cat wrote
> > > "Si" wrote
> > > > Wha' about the Hundreds 'n tousands?
> > >
> > > Jaysus ! Dem fancy tings were well after my days ! In my days, ye
went
> > to
> > > school barefoot, and all de shops were offerin' were de big washing up
> > > liquid squirty bottles full of fluo red ("raspberry") or fluo green
> > ("mint",
> > > at least I tink it was mint I never had the heart to try) gunk to
squirt
> > > on top.
> >
> > I'm not even going to hazard a guess on this one.
>
> sprinkled on deserts. They were considered quite posh in the 50's and
60's,
> and that is basically where the notion about them stayed.
The stuff we put on kiddies cupcakes? :)
Okay.......what's the fluo red/fluo green stuff?
KateH
The Pirate Queen
"KateH" <hock...@innw.nospam.net> wrote in
> The stuff we put on kiddies cupcakes? :)
> Okay.......what's the fluo red/fluo green stuff?
> KateH
sounds like something similar to sno-cone syrup to me....
PQ
Cat
It's coloured sweet gloop you squirt on kiddies cupcakes when you don't have
hundreds and thousands :-)
Cat(h) (it's suitably full of additives to keep them hyperactive for 3 hours
after consumption)
Tony Cooper
> I'll bite, what the heck is a 99?
A Dairy Queen pulled soft ice cream in a twirl. The Irish, of course,
will insist that theirs is better in the best traditions of slagging
our beer, potato chips, candy and french fries. But, still, it's a
Dairy Queen with a bit of chocolate bar.
We, of course, do them one better and offer a Dairy Queen turned
upside down and dunked in liquid hot chocolate. The chocolate quickly
hardens into a thin shell around the whole twirl. Quite good,
especially if the fresh dipped cone is sprinkled with chopped nuts
that set into the chocolate.
Our Dairy Queens also offer vanilla/chocolate cones from a machine
that mixes the two in a spiral in the twirl. Technology that would
amaze and baffle the Irish.
Turlough
Tony Cooper wrote:
> Our Dairy Queens also offer vanilla/chocolate cones from a machine
> that mixes the two in a spiral in the twirl. Technology that would
> amaze and baffle the Irish.
I like to hand them a glass and tell them to taste how good our water
is. When they get to the kitchen sink and reach for the faucet, I turn
on the garbage disposal. The little jump and wide eyed look is
priceless, and of course, the sign of the cross. I just can't help
myself...
Turlough
Tony Cooper
> I like to hand them a glass and tell them to taste how good our
water
> is. When they get to the kitchen sink and reach for the faucet, I
turn
> on the garbage disposal. The little jump and wide eyed look is
> priceless, and of course, the sign of the cross. I just can't help
> myself...
Do they look at your single sink faucet and ask "Do you have only the
cold water?"
Turlough
Tony Cooper wrote:
> Do they look at your single sink faucet and ask "Do you have only
> the cold water?"
I think they have those now. Cat called them *mixers.* A trip to the
grocery store is always a comical adventure. A cousin from Offaly got
blown away in the bread aisle and got so nervous, he had to go outside
and have a fag and wait for me. "How, in the name of Jaysus, can ye
feckers know which bread to select," he said. I put on the straight face
and told him that Catholics only buy the one kind. He stared me down for
a minute, and after I didn't flinch, he nodded and said, "Ah."
I don't feel guilty. I've gotten it back doubly when I've visited
them...
Turlough
Si
:I think they have those now. Cat called them *mixers.* A trip to the
:grocery store is always a comical adventure. A cousin from Offaly got
:blown away in the bread aisle and got so nervous, he had to go outside
:and have a fag and wait for me. "How, in the name of Jaysus, can ye
:feckers know which bread to select," he said. I put on the straight face
:and told him that Catholics only buy the one kind. He stared me down for
:a minute, and after I didn't flinch, he nodded and said, "Ah."
:
:I don't feel guilty. I've gotten it back doubly when I've visited
:them...
:
:
: Turlough
Ah yez are awful men all the same. Now I no longer feel guilty for replacing
the Charmin with little squares of the evening Herald on a loop of string
when the merkin cousins were over. Or taking them L*****chaun hunting in
the middle of the night up the Wicklow hills. They were dressed in full
combat fatigues, blackened faces with night vision stuff and a bottle of
Guinness as bait. The serious nodding that went on when I told them that the
old vitamin G was made by Irish peasants treading peat in a similar manner
to the French grape threaders making wine now seems wholly forgiven. I am
also cleansed of any worry now after teaching them the correct way to
address a Garda as "Ye fecker".
I look forward to my next excursion stateside when I can stare in rapt awe
as some fella demonstrates the new technology called "De Interneh".
Si
:
:"Si" <simonicu...@nofeckinspammy-deja.com> wrote in message
:
Christ.. ders posh for ya. We only rented the flake. Had to give it back
after we finished the ice cream.
Now Birds Sherry Trifle (Alcohol free) was the height of gastronomy in my
youth. The Hundres n' tousands were essential. They covered the cream
surface and leeched colour into it with time. Thus they served as an
indicator as to how stale and rubbery the cream was going to be. A valuable
lesson in multi function design for a young engineer.
Si
:Si wrote:
:
:> Now I no longer feel guilty for replacing
:>the Charmin with little squares of the evening Herald on a loop of string
:>when the merkin cousins were over.
:Feck, we only could afford the Sunday papers.
:
:
My heart goes out to ya.
The Tribune is a little too slick and not very absorbent. I'd stick with the
Press if I were you.
Si
:I wouldn't mind but you think I'm joking!
:
Not entirely. Many's the time I wiped me arse with Eamon Dunphies
scrawlings.
KateH
> Now Birds Sherry Trifle (Alcohol free) was the height of gastronomy in my
> youth. The Hundres n' tousands were essential. They covered the cream
> surface and leeched colour into it with time. Thus they served as an
> indicator as to how stale and rubbery the cream was going to be. A
valuable
> lesson in multi function design for a young engineer.
Well, I hafta admit.......I love that name "Hundreds n' Tousands" and I just
this minute told it to my nine year old, who laughed and laughed and we
decided to call the "Sprinkles" that from now on. :)
We'll not be adopting the newspaper thingy, though.
KateH
KateH
> Tony Cooper wrote:
> > Do they look at your single sink faucet and ask "Do you have only
> > the cold water?"
>
> I think they have those now. Cat called them *mixers.* A trip to the
> grocery store is always a comical adventure. A cousin from Offaly got
> blown away in the bread aisle and got so nervous, he had to go outside
> and have a fag and wait for me. "How, in the name of Jaysus, can ye
> feckers know which bread to select," he said. I put on the straight face
> and told him that Catholics only buy the one kind. He stared me down for
> a minute, and after I didn't flinch, he nodded and said, "Ah."
You two are awful.....(funny). :)
I expect the same look on my mother-in-law's face when I take her to Costco
for the first time next week.
KateH
KateH
> KateH wrote:
> >Well, I hafta admit.......I love that name "Hundreds n' Tousands" and I
just
> >this minute told it to my nine year old, who laughed and laughed and we
> >decided to call the "Sprinkles" that from now on. :)
>
> Hundreds and Thousands are cylindrical. ;-)
LOL...........this is wayyyyyyy too technical for me.
KateH