Conor's Bandon Blog

Running, Food and Local stuff from a blow-in

More Science Week Stuff

Looks like the Science Week guys are hardcore! They’ve hired Edelman to help with PR. I like the idea they came up with. Basically Irish Bloggers have to answer some stuff about their favourite inventions as blog posts during the coming week and we might win a Wii. Today’s question is “What was the favourite invention from your childhood”. This is an easy one. The home computer, specifically the Sinclair ZX Spectrum.

3G Doctor Signals the Return of House Visits

I don’t normally mention posts that I write on blognation over here but I think this one is probably of great interest to many of my local readers and those in more rural locations in Ireland and the UK. A company called 3G Doctor in Kerry provides a service whereby you can get a video consultantion with a qualified doctor using your 3G phone. I’ve written all about it here. I’d be interested to hear what you think and whether the 3G coverage is good enough yet so that it is useful to the people who need it most.

Science Week in November

There is a wonderful bunch of things planned in Cork as part of Science Week which will hopefully increase the interest in science amongst kids. The target audience is 10-16 year olds but I’m sure we’ll drag our 8 year old along to some of it. It is on from 11th Nov to 18th Nov in various locations around the city. I believe the HQ is City Hall and local tech companies will have stands there.

Review of Heston Blumenthal - In Search of Perfection - BBC2

[Heston Blumenthal - In Search of Perfection - BBC2](http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/tv_and_radio/perfection/) _<span class="summary">This second series by one of the world's most cutting edge chefs is as whacky and entertaining as the first but the chicken tikka masala did not impress</span>_ <span><span class="stars" title="5">![](http://www.loudervoice.com/static/images/5outof5.gif)</span></span> <span class="description"> I’ll be honest, I think Heston is fantastic. I love what he does and how he does it. He tickles my engineering brain cells and my foodie ones at the same time.

Review of Locanda Locatelli

[Locanda Locatelli](http://www.locandalocatelli.com),8 Seymour Street, London, W1H 7JZ, UK _<span class="summary">Good Italian food ruined by some of the worst service I've had in a restaurant in years. These people need to learn some manners and learn how to smile.</span>_ <span><span class="stars" title="2">![](http://www.loudervoice.com/static/images/2outof5.gif)</span></span> <span class="description"> This was our final dinner in London and I had very high hopes. I’ve been a fan of Giorgio Locatelli since the wonderful Tony and Giorgio TV series in 2002.

Review of Petrus

[Petrus](http://www.gordonramsay.com/petrus/),The Berkeley, Wilton Place, Kiightsbridge, London, SW1X 7RL, UK _<span class="summary">The dining experience of a lifetime. Just as we thought it couldn't get any better, we were given a tour of the kitchen and met Marcus Wareing.</span>_ <span><span class="stars" title="5">![](http://www.loudervoice.com/static/images/5outof5.gif)</span></span> <span class="description"> Of all our anniversary meals in London last week, this was the one where I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would it be overly formal and stuffy? Would it be filled with Gordon Gekko types and Russian tycoons?

Any certified “Nut Allergy Friendly” restaurants in Cork City?

A friend of a friend is visiting Cork soon and is wondering if any restaurants can assure him that their dishes are nut-free? This person feels that many would use vegetable oil with nut traces when cooking. It’s a tough one I know but any tips would be appreciated. If you run a restaurant and are willing to make the assertion, even on a sub-set of your dishes, feel free to comment here.

Review of The Nasty Bits by Anthony Bourdain

[The Nasty Bits by Anthony Bourdain](http://www.anthonybourdain.com/) _<span class="summary">A fine collection of articles he has written over the past few years on all things food and restaurant related. A great food writer.</span>_ <span><span class="stars" title="5">![](http://www.loudervoice.com/static/images/5outof5.gif)</span></span> <span class="description"> This book has been on my ever growing pile of unread books for a long time. I finally took it on a flight to San Fran so I could make a dent in it.

Politics In Ireland site re-vamp

The updated Irish Politics site is now live. This is a tremendous resource for anyone interested in what people on the ground are writing about politics here. It is a site that watches for any blog posts that mention a TD’s name and provides a summary of that post on the site. It is party neutral and is in no way partisan. Those with blogs can add a widget which displays the latest politics posts on their own blog sidebar.

Cully and Sully Scale Everest

Well not quite but they did get to Nepal. In Sully’s own words If you would like to see Cully & Sully in action (and have a good laugh) tune into RTE 1 at 22.45 tonight. There will be a half hour programme about our recent trip roughing it in Nepal whilst attempting to assist a women’s cooperative – you’ll get a flavour of my truly amazing negotiation skills and Cul’s cooking under pressure!