declanbrandon

Every table at Casa Manolo was full ,the terrace ,inside area,the waiters rushing around when I passed yesterday.This shocked me as I have visited on many leisurely afternoons drinking my cafe con leiche,accompanied by a couple of old fellows watching the tele.The only conclusion I could reach was the food was of a very high […]

Was it Robbie Burns who wrote “The best laid plans of mice and men gang oft aglae ? Last weekend showed how perceptive is this statement .A group of us ,bound by our rugby playing past,meet up for an international every year ,and drink porter and reminisce for a weekend,and then go our separate ways.So […]

It tookFriday evenings news bulletin to bring home to us the full extent of the emergency at home.Social media gives such a selective picture of the goings on that one would be easily seduced into thinking that everyone’s having a ball,giant snowmen,children skiing,pets frolicking in the snow. And then the pictures of huge snowdrifts,heavy machinery […]

One of the most amazing things about the Costa is the way developments spring up and totally dominate the area.This thought again struck me ,when I decided to head to Aldi for some supplies.I had a vague idea how to get there ,it’s on the road from Campomor to San Miguel,but also accessible through the […]

Helen has just departed in the Inisfree bus for the airport,so here I am adjusting to the silence ,after a busy week when I had Helen and Alan with me.They were on their midterm break ,and I was very glad they came here,as the solitude bears on me after a while.Our neighbours Sam and Myrtle […]

The Don Henley song came on my headphones this morning,and it couldn’t have been more appropriate ,because who did I spot on my way to the Market but Columbo,on the balcony of Milos ,with his display of watches.This is my first sighting of the uncrowned King of the Strip,and moments later I spotted his nephew […]

Thank God the journalists don’t select our Irish rugby team.Thats my only thought this morning,having read the various reports of our extraordinary victory over France ,Saturday.To keep possession for five and a half minutes,to go from your own 22 to drop goal range ,under the pressure of knowing that any error would cost you the […]

25€ flight Dublin to Alicante was too much to let pass ,so Tuesday I was on my way.The 10am flight was an issue,but Dublin Coach with their 4am service sorted out that problem.So it was Helen dropped me off back of the Temple Gate Hotel,cold,wet windy and deserted except for a single youth shivering in […]

If I’m not mistaken Johnny Logan won the Eurovision for Ireland with the song” What’s another Year”,-and it’s something that’s been playing around in my mind ,What is another year? The massive celebrations around the globe leave me bemused,it’s as if each country tries to outdo the other with the exuberance of their celebrations.Christmas ,for […]

Living alone is not the easiest way to live,I believe. After ten days of walking ,swimming,and reading,my mind was beginning to run in strange directions.So I was delighted that my brother Sean was coming on a three day visit Saturday.Endless repeats of Its always sunny in Philadelphia are enough to warp anyone’s mind.Saturday I spent […]