Dublin, Paddywaggon and Doughnuts

I've just finished my paddywaggon tour around the island of Ireland, and I gotta say it was a hell of a lot of fun. Started off Saturday night here in Dublin when I caught up with a couple of Dubliners whom I met in Cesky Krumlov (Czech Republic) for a night out in Ireland's capital, and it was a good one. The guiness was flowing, but I gotta say, the prices here in Dublin are insane!

The following night, I met up with Nicole, who I did Contiki with in '05 and her friend Mel who were joining me on the Paddywaggon tour. It's so much fun meeting up with people you havent seen in a year and a half...makes me realise how time has flown.

The tour started on the monday morning, and our crazy Irish driver/guide, Phil - from Tipperare - got us on our way out of Dublin, and south towards Dingle. Along the way we all got to know each other (about 2/3's of the bus was aussies...several from Melbourne - what a shock!) and we had a good group of people. I was worried that we would have not many being the 'off' season, but the bus was all but packed with 32 of us! Along the way to Dingle we went to Blarney Castle and kissed the blarney stone - supposed to bring 7 years good luck - or cold sores. That night we all drank Írish Car Bombs', a local shot which has a shot of whiskey and bailey's dropped into a half pint of guiness, which you have to scull before it curdles - good stuff! Our entertainment for the night was Karaoke - of all things - and there were some top performances, some shockers and lots and lots of Phil. And no, I didnt sing, despite having my name put down by someone else...

The following morning we headed to Killarney, via inch beach (the scene of Coldplay's video for "Yellow").

The next day we travelled towards Gallway, where I am hoping to live after my time in Cork, and I reckon I'm gonna like it. Apart from the town itself (argh) looking quite nice, the atmosphere there was incredible, with lots of students, plenty of happening bars and a good 'craic' had by all. And it was only a Wednesday night! One of the funnier things of the evening was getting the obligitory food from 'Supermacs'at the end of the evening - which turned out to be the most pumping venue in the city. We even whitnessed a fight there, which we have since learned is so common, the local hospital has a code for 'Supermacs related injury'. "I'm just here for some chips!"

The following day we headed up to Derry just inside Northern Ireland, on the way seeing the Cliffs of Mohr (I think?). Aside from the accents and currency being different, Derry didnt feel all that different from the republic and a good night was had - despite many people choosing to have this night off! Those of us that did head out, counted down to midnight, and toasted Australia day, in what was to be a fore runner for the following nights activities.

The next - and final - night of the tour we were in Belfast aftet a short detour to the Giants Causeway (the main bit of which we...er....all seemed to miss). Belfast felt really earie. The 'peace wall' seperating the Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods was something you couldnt even comprehend coming from australia, and the feeling of this place was very different from that of the Republic. We did, however, have a good night, finding a bar that was celebrating Aussie day, we got ourselves decked out in Aussie Tatts -and my wallabies jersey - and celebrated long into the evening.

Over the next couple of days we all said our goodbyes, and went our seperate ways. It's just such a shame it was only one week as it just flew by!

Anyways, I'm heading down to Cork today to crash with a friend for a bit, and look for a job - I'm BROKE - so I will probably be living like a grandpa for a bit! I'll chuck up some photo's of Ireland soon (so all you people in Australia can see what green grass looks like again).

Cheers

Back on the Road...

Well, after two months here at Bel and Mark's pub, its time to get moving again. It has been fun staying here and doing the odd bit of work in the pub again, but its time for the next part - Ireland.

Rather then doing the usual thing and flying over, I'm going to take a couple of days through the West of England and North of Wales and getting the Ferry over to Dublin.

Must say I have enjoyed being in England while Australia was wiping the floor with the Poms in the Ashes. All of a sudden cries of "its only a game!" became the norm. Oh I see. That wasnt the case 15 months ago when I was fresh off the plane only to see the Aussies lose it for the first time in 16 years! Funny how attitudes can change like that hey? Only a game indeed!!

It's been fun working in the pub again too, especially working for Bel and Mark. The locals here can be a little eccentric, with very dry senses of humour, but it makes it all fun. I even was given the responsibility of training someone up the other night! The blind leading the blind! Was all good though.

Really looking forward to my time in Ireland. I've been advised that you cant do anything without a place of permanent residence - and they dont count hostels - so if anyone knows a fake address I can put down that'd be grand!

Anyways, the next time you hear from me, hopefully I'll have a job and somewhere to live, but until then, see ya.

Ok so its been a while...

It's been a while since my last post, but I havent really done all that much, so there's been not a lot to say!

Since I last wrote, I have been to Tonbridge to visit some friends from when I was living there at the end of 2005, and also spent some time in London, to see off Dan, who has returned to the real world, back in Australia.

Christmas and New Year were good here at the pub. Had a friend from Edinburgh come and visit (another aussie orphan) and worked a bit around the week helping out Bel and Mark.

Everything now is geared towards heading to Ireland. I have my Visa sorted which is very exciting, and I have decided not to fly. Instead I will be going by Ferry. This also gives me a chance to do a little travel through Western England and North Wales. I'll be spending a couple of days in Bristol, followed by a couple more in Llandudno on the north coast of Wales (the gateway to the snowdonia national park apparantly!). Then I will get the ferry over from Holyehad to Dublin.

I'm spending a few days in Dublin before heading off on a 6 day "Paddywaggon" tour around Ireland, which includes Belfast, Galway and Dingle among others. After that, its time to find a job! So far (apart from some bits and peices in the pub) I havent worked in 5 months! It'll be 6 by the time I find something! Cant beleive its nearly over!

No other news really. I have finally gotten a myspace account (www.myspace.com/cram33) but I'm going to continue using this as my major blogging page. I will be uploading some new pics to my photo pages soon (mainly from Contiki 2005) and I will keep updating when I have new pics from Ireland!

Cheers