Down to the centre with three three tasks in mind. Visit our usual cash point, buy a new strap for my watch before the current one deteriorates to the point of disintegration and get a haircut. No problem with the cash point. Watch shop still open although it observes the traditional early closing on Wednesdays and Saturdays but realise I’ve forgotten to put the watch back on post shower so on to the hairdresser cum barbershop. Well, as Meatloaf says, two out of three ain’t bad.
No sign of activity at hairdresser’s and I realise that the four occupants of the chairs by the window where customers wait their turn are in fact staff. Recognise the owner and his wife, and he nods toward the chair. Surprisingly he remembers me, though it’s close to four years since the last visit, saying Canada. Both of us have gone here, irregularly, for the last twenty years, J less frequently as he usually cuts his own hair. When we began the old father was still alive and giving haircuts, mostly to the older short back and sides contingent. He’s long deceased, but his grandson, now a young man in his twenties is being trained and gets to do some of the combing out and sweeping up. Seem to remember him apprenticing four years ago, so he’s either slow on the uptake or has been away at school in the interval. No sign of any other customers, which is a little disconcerting. Have deliberately gone mid day and mid week to avoid a long wait but don’t really fancy being the mainstay of the establishment. Do round up my payment somewhat more than I originally intended though.
J waiting on the waterfront and we make our way back slowly, checking out the changes in restaurants. Most menus and prices not posted, or not together at least. Do establish that beer is typically about €4.40. Probably close to twice what it is in a small backstreet café. Beer a better barometer than food, as - unlike a sandwich or a salad - quality and quantity are constant.