Sunday Thoughts

It’s that time of the week for Sunday Thoughts, and what a scorcher of a week we’ve had in Sligo, well certainly over the last few days. I can’t remember when it was this hot before, there is thunder and heavy rain promised later today, but I’ve made the most if it and washed everything that can be washed.

It’s two months today until Lucy’s wedding, and I’m trying to lose some weight. I’m finding it quite difficult, I don’t eat enough calories according to MyFitnessPal, and it’s mad because my plate is full, but it’s mostly full of vegetables, and they don’t have many calories. I’ve had a week of no cake, and no chocolate and I thought the weight might start to move, but no sign of anything – post menopause, I guess. I’m hoping I might sort my blood pressure out too, to be honest it’s not that bad, but I don’t like being on tablets for it. I’ve been a bit dizzy at night and really hurt my leg this week from being disoriented.

I did have one dinner out this week. I went to Hooked and had Cauliflower tacos, which would have been quite healthy, except for the batter and chips. I couldn’t eat it all, and only had a few chips, so that wasn’t too bad. I was there when Jono was in Clublandia, which is Sligo’s accessible nightclub, he loves going, even though he doesn’t stay for the full event due to his back.

I enjoyed wandering around the town. I listened to music coming from Osta, and the buskers in Queen Maeve Square, there were kayakers on the river, and people enjoying outdoor dining, it was like being on holiday.

I’ve noticed that I’m very much an invisible person though. It was the same yesterday when I went into town for the Cairde festival. A couple of people spoke to me and that was it. Part of me doesn’t mind it, it’s just another stage of life I suppose. I’m well used to my own company anyway.

PayPal finally ruled in my favour. In case you missed it, a blog reader left a tip of €1, they forgot they did it and flagged it with their bank. They retracted the flag, but PayPal sided with them, and it was impossible to get an answer. To cut a long story short PayPal hit me with a €16 chargeback. After 3 months it got sorted, it was so stressful though. I had to send screenshots etc.

Speaking of PayPal, thank you to Ann who supported the blog this week, I didn’t get cake, but I did go swimming, it’s the first time I’ve been in years, and it was lovely, although it was all lanes, and there’s me like a beached whale! No pressure! I would have quite liked a relaxing swim, but I inadvertently ended up in the Sligo Olympics!

Back to the Cairde Festival, there was a lovely atmosphere in the town, and I really enjoyed the street performances. There was a guy going around with a packing crate on wheels, with a fortune teller inside.

No Fit State Circus were performing on a bamboo structure, and the Toxic Dogs were roaming around Queen Maeve Square. I don’t know how they did it in the heat, I was melting, and I wasn’t dressed in a costume or running around the place.

There was a lovely market in The Swagman and there were DJs playing there too. I didn’t go back in the evening for the parade, I was too wrecked, and I knew there would be official photographers there, and that I’d want to take pictures too, but I don’t like standing on anyone’s toes. I still remember one of the St. Patrick’s Day parades when one of the official photographers stood in front of me. Life is too short for that kind of thing.

I met a friend for coffee this morning. I was at Strandhill at 8.30am, and the place was already wedged. I saw people complaining about the traffic into Strandhill and Rosses Point yesterday, so I’m always glad to get in and out early.

I have a couple of things coming up next week. I’m hoping to get to the Ballina Heritage Day on Wednesday, it’s part of the Ballina Salmon Festival, and it’s always a brilliant event. I haven’t been in a few years, but it’ll be a nice couple of hours out for me.

I hope you are all keeping well and staying cool. Thanks for reading.