Homemade wine, Classiebawn castle

The 28-days-cycle is not completed yet but I can tell you my homemade wine is fantastique! Lots of aroma, strong, fruity, tasty without being strong in acidity, it s just, perfectly balanced! I have to say am not a wine person but sometimes I like to have a sip.

Yesterday we drove up to Mullaghmore, County Sligo to have a look at the giant waves. That is the place where many surfers around the world come for the tow-in surfing. As there was no surfer at all for our disapointement we just drove-by and headed back home. But first a little stop on the way. Mullaghmore is also the place for the fabulous Classiebawn Castle. I remember back in 2006 when I first came to Ireland that I tried to jump the gates to have a proper look at it. The castle is miles away from its entrance and the best photos you can see from it are like this: http://www.a-wee-bit-of-ireland.com/eire_jan_2004/mullaghmore_1.html or maybe this: http://www.castlestories.net/Ireland/County-Sligo/Classie-Bawn-Castle.html . It is probably the most impressive castle I've ever seen.

Tin tin!

That lazy afternoon in good companion

To appreciate a single malt can be compared to many other things and it might require some time/experience. It is like the first time you look at an artwork or listen to a song. You will have to listen to it a couple of times till you find out whether you like it or not. That is what I like about single malts. In my personal experience it was passion at first sight when I first had a Caol Ila-12 in the Museo de Whisky in the north of Spain.

Experiencing a single malt on a lazy Sunday afternoon just can slow down everything. You can have it after a busy day, when you are a bit tired or simply when you feel like it. You don't need any excuse to open that bottle of spirit that is being aged for years. Then you let the spirit talk. The only rule for single malts is to not mix them with anything but ice or water. But be aware that if you add some water you will just make it "stronger". Better to have it neat to have a proper "conversation"...

Extend your arm and check its colour. Is it amber? Dark amber? Golden? The body will be noticeable when you swirl and the "tears" take long to fall down. The aroma will tell you the story of years of maturation. Sea breeze, toffee, vanilla, honey, herbal, medicinal, smokey, etc. Then you roll it on your mouth to get the flavour for about 20 sec. The finish or "after taste" can be long, short.

Single malts are far the most complex of all whiskys, let alone spirits. Yet, it can be the most enjoyable drink. It is just a matter of becoming "his" friend.

AJ

(This post was accompanied by the amazing Old Pulteney 12)

Saturday in the big city

in Dublin. Just came back from Rui's place in Rathmines. Rui is this Portuguese that used to work with me in Ballina. Another two portuguese fellas, Pedro and Samuel joined us too and we had a laugh. Rui was telling me about the Celtic influence in Portuguese culture, and we've also talked about etymology, languages,vikings, that kinda thing. I was like "damn it, if I just knew a lil bit more of ancient history that would give me a great post for my blog" but then again I just realized I know nothing about it. Anyway, that could be one of my resolutions for this year. Earlier on I was in town for sushi and bought few presents to take to Brazil. Oh yes! We've also went to Brown Thomas and Rui showed me this "secret place" where u can have some fine Brazilian coffee for free. They also sell these coffee machines and powder, but the average of prices were a bit out of my budget. Damn it! I wanna a coffee machine. In the meanwhile Kaz was babysitting Isaac.

More stuff to come...

tin tin

my wife is in dublin and am all alone here wit my cats and my...homemade wine in progress. I can smell grape juice mixed wit bitter aroma and i can hear the yeast working hard and hopefully in few weeks we can sip some fine barolo red wine.

That is it for now, stay tuned

Vaga de emprego

A empresa que eu trabalho está necessitando urgentemente de gente no Brasil pra trabalho part-time em casa. Para isso o candidato tem que ter bom acesso a internet e ingles intermediário(básico talvez sirva também), além de estar morando no Brasil por pelo menos 5 anos. Pra inscrição basta clicar em um dos links abaixo. Provavelmente vc terá que copiar os links pro IE já que alguns deles talvez nao funcionem no FF.

www.lionbridge.com/company/jobs/default.htm

https://e-recruit.sap.lionbridge.com/sap%28bD1lbiZjPTEwMCZkPW1pbg==%29/bc/bsp/sap/unrg_appl/application.do?param=cGluc3RfZ3VpZD1ERkRFMTAwNUZDNThCMUYxODZCMDAwMTUxNzg2RENCRA%3D%3D&rcfcontext=W

http://pt-br.lionbridge.com/MultilingualSearch.aspx?pageid=1297&LangType=1046

Caso vc esteja com dificuldades pra acessar os links acima mande um email pra mim, ou deixe um comentario nesse post :-)

ajeastwood@gmail.com

Finished bottling my homebrew on Sunday and now am anxiously waiting for its maturation process which takes few weeks. Beer is just like wine, the longer you keep them stored the better they will taste.

Just to keep my blog updated, let me see, last weekend I went to Dublin for Ciara's 21st. 21st parties are usually a big deal here contrary to Brazil where we usually give more attention to the 15(girls debutant). Anyway, I took the train from Sligo which takes only 3 hours and it is something that I haven't done for ages. It was an enjoyable trip as I could have few beers and catch up some readings.

Not much news (yet) but this could completely change out of a sudden. I've been jamming wit few colleagues and Wally at his gaf(lol). Am looking forward to get a decent gear (amps and bass) but that will mean that I have to save some bucks first. I probably never mentioned that before but I do play bass and used to play in different bands back when I was in Rio. Luckily you will find few videos on youtube but don't ask me for them :-P

40th anniversary of Bloody sunday

Exactly 40 years ago 13 lives were taken during a peaceful protest in Derry. Some were hit on their back, no guns were found with them.


a wall that divides Nationalists and Loyalists in Belfast


a pic that I took in Belfast

for further info, go HERE