I went back to Ireland last weekend to tie up some loose ends, and because it was one of my closest friend's birthdays! I used my newly acquired skills to drive some of us to The Station House in Meath for a birthday dinner.
We had three courses, and afterwards the most spectacluar pina colada inspired birthday cake I have ever seen. Then, in true old lady style we retired to the birthday girl's house where we sat by the Aga, ate cake, drank (tea for me, wine for the others), and reminisced.
For me, there's nothing better than good food, friendship, a roaring fire, for which your friend took axe to wood to keep lit mere minutes before, and cups of tea. Nightclubs fill me with horror, and there's nothing that can be said in a loud pub that can't be said more eloquently over cake or tea somewhere cosy. It was basically perfect.