Makes Life Easier… or maybe not! – CFFC

Posted on February 13, 2026 by Gloria

I had a scroll through my gallery to see if I had anything that would fit this week’s CFFC (Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge) on Dan Antion’s blog; nofacilities.com

I knew I’d have something because I love taking photos of old things.

I found this old cash register, which at the time was an invention that made life easier for tradespeople. Of course, things have come a long way since then. Scan, tap your card or your phone, and now we have self-service check-outs.

I took this photo in Fitzpatrick’s Castle Hotel in Dalkey, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

Then I came across a short video that my daughter recorded on her phone. We were driving through town one evening a few weeks ago, and saw this guy on what seems to be a homemade Dr Suess-type bicycle. Perhaps we could call it a reinvention of sorts.

This is a ‘foto’ challenge, so I took a couple of screenshots. Not great quality. I’ve included the video too, though, for your entertainment.

I still have questions about this strange bicycle. Who is he? Why did he build this bike? How did he get on? How did he get off? Did he get off? Where is he now? This keeps me awake at night!

Click on this fabulous foto if you’d like to see more invention pics or, take part yourself.

Road Trip – #2023picoftheweek

Posted on July 15, 2023 by Gloria

This post is for Maria Antonia’s Weekly Photo Challenge #2023picoftheweek.

Here’s how it goes 》Post a photo relating to the word(s) in one of the boxes below. Then link it to Maria’s blog.

Check her out here 》 Maria Antonia if you’d like to join in for the fun!

My chosen words for #picoftheweek2023 is Road Trip

ROAD TRIP

This photo was taken during my recent visit to Turlough Park House in The Country Life National Museum of Ireland in Castlebar, Co Mayo.

Mary and Jean Devaney recall the time when they took their turkey hen on a “road trip” on a bicycle to meet with a potential mate.

One of many ‘bicycle’ stories on display from times gone by.

The Old Black Bicycle #100DaysOfOldDays

Posted on February 20, 2022 by Gloria

Day 8 #100DaysOfOldDays

Ah…the old black bicycle. The one in this photo is hanging on the ceiling of our local pub. An Sean Sibin in Ballina.

***Hanging From the Ceiling in An Sean Sibin Pub***

I remember my uncle having a bicycle exactly like this one; all through the 70’s. He would have cycled for miles on it. It didn’t have gears, so when he came to a steep hill, he had to hop off and walk up it. It had big springs under the saddle and a big round headlamp positioned at the centre of the handlebars. I’m pretty sure he had a bell on it too.

The black bicycle in Lucy’s drawing belongs to Flossie Lynch, the main character in my novel.