I've added a site meter

I'm managed to work out how to add a site meter to my account. It will be interesting to see whether anyone other than myself clicks on it.

Showers are being taken, luggage is being packed and re-packed, and I'm keeping quietly to myself while all this goes on. The day is calm so far, with the hundreds of birds that earlier gathered on the old beech tree behind the church now gone. They were very noisy, not helped by the fact that Goldie seems to feel it is his duty to bark at them. They don't notice, so it is a bit frustrating for him, and for us.

A nice cup of freshly brewed coffee seems to be a thing I'd like right now. I suspect others would too, so I'll head off to brew it.

Well, the day is arriving

We've been talking for so long about Ian's trip to Ghana that the day of departure has crept up on us unawares, sort of. Anyway, tomorrow we head to Dublin to stay with my parents, and then go to the airport for 8am on Tuesday 1st January. Carolan and I will wave our hankies to him (better remember to bring them!), and the dogs and Brian will stay at home and say goodbye from afar. It will be a big experience for us all, I reckon. It is very strange to be sitting in comfort, with lots of Christmas food around and a fire in the hearth, and to think of where Ian will be in a couple of days, possibly staying in a house with no electricity or running water.

Carolan is currently having a nice "Lush" bath, relaxing in the holiday spirit. She has spent this afternoon applying for graduate jobs, a process that requires a lot of work as each application has different requirements. Anyone who decides not to take her on is, of course, very misguided, but we can't account for all decisions made in this world.

The gardening season has started today, now that the rain has stopped. I dug up all remaining beetroot from the garden, and even found some potatoes I didn't know were there. I also cut back the raspberry canes and put them in a bonfire pile for burning when the weather is drier. It's amazing how weeds continue to grow during the winter when everything else stops growing....

The dogs don't like fireworks so have just had a few minutes of panic as fireworks were let off in the Castle Oaks Hotel grounds. Luckily they don't seem to have lasted for long. Tomorrow night will be unpleasant for them. There must be a high pitched sound associated with fireworks that we don't hear.

16 more days to....

It is incredibly windy today, with a bitter cold feeling to it. I brought the dogs for a walk and they loved it, but I froze. Leavy doesn't like going outside to relieve herself, so why is she happy to go out in the freezing cold for a run? The river is high, and running very fast, so winter must officially be here.

I'm off to Londinium tomorrow, and on to Bristol on Friday. It's great to be able to check in on-line. I know what seat I'll be sitting on, and only need to be at the airport an hour ahead of time. The HR group from Ireland who are going to this event are heading to see "Hairspray" at the Shaftesbury Theatre tomorrow, so we'll meet up in the centre of London. We reckon that will be our only chance to have a bit of enjoyment as it will be a busy week of workshops.

Bristol should be fun, if Ian gets his passport back from the Ghana embassy in time to go. Otherwise I'll be exploring by myself. It sounds like a nice city. We might even get some Christmas shopping done, though I'm not sure what I need to buy. Anyone any ideas on a present for Gran? Dad "bought" me my present in Chesneau, Kilkenny, last weekend, so that's me fixed up. I've apparently bought him his present too, so that's him fixed up.

I did a spring clean of the kitchen and living room area today, scrubbing floors and walls. The wall tiles in the kitchen are literally sparkling - they must have been very greasy. Unfortunately the dogs don't respect clean things and seem to think it is fine to walk with muddy paws (and stomachs, and ....) on the clean floor, and jump on the furniture.

Gardening today included putting all the spinach plants I had dug up yesterday onto the compost heap. I also dug up some beetroot for today's dinner. The broccoli plants are looking good, but I don't think they will have broccoli on them in time to feed Ian before he goes to Ghana. We'll just have to eat it ourselves, or freeze it for his return.

That's it for now!

It does nothing but rain today

Even the dogs haven't dared to venture outside today. Ian and I went to town for a short while this afternoon and got very wet. b is now in Carlingford (he keeps telling me that isn't norn Ireland, and he's right, but it is north) and heading out to party to celebrate Tony's 50th. Irish music is planned for 2 hours, and a "this is your life" type book will be presented to him by a niece. All sounds like fun.

A whole month

...since I last posted, and I've discovered that b has removed me from his "always open" menu because he thinks I've given up blogging.

I was up in Dublin yesterday and today. On the way there yesterday I was in a queue to get past an accident in a small village this side of Roscrea. Cars were happily being waved past until an ambulance arrived. It promptly parked across the road, just as I was 2 cars away. Right, I said, have patience, as the injured lady didn't seem too bad and was walking to get into it. But no, a fire brigade then came rushing along and blocked the road even further. I gave up, turned around, and found a side road to avoid the whole thing. As I reached the main road again, along with loads of others who had done the same as me, there were ambulances and fire brigades coming along from the other direction. Too late - the rescue had happened!

This morning I didn't have to be at a meeting until 10.30am so I had a leisurely breakfast with my parents. My father has retired from his voluntary work on Gorta projects committee after over 40 years of service on it. He got a really nice letter of thanks from them, and it sounds like they have something planned to celebrate his 50 years of involvement on the Council of Gorta. He was at a retirement party last week for James Killen, who was the youngest of the lecturers in Trinity Geography department when I was a student. My, I must be getting old! It was a relief to discover that he is actually retiring early (well, 3 years early!).

My mother was excited because a multi-million euro building development has started at the Bloomfield Care Centre, the second phase of the development and one for which they have been granted something like 17 million euro from the Dept of Health.

Robert joined us for a while over breakfast. Rebecca is in her final year at school and is keeping her options open between a career in ballet and a university degree. She has been to London to audition for a ballet school.

b is happily reading a book of Irish poetry just published by John Wyse Jackson and friend, called "from Anonymous to Zozimus". What a fantastic title. b is very excited about going to a party in Norn Irl tomorrow.

Ian got a puncture today on his way home. Luckily I had just arrived back from Dublin when he rang with the news, so I hurried off to collect him. We now need to get a puncture repair kit. At least it's the weekend, so we have a couple of days to mend it.

Dinner is ready, so that's it for now.

New bed arrived

A new bed arrived for C's room today. It's very high compared to the last one, so she'll have to jump up onto it. It's amazing how much dust and gunge had collected under the old bed - she's lucky she wasn't at home to clean it up!

This was a big week for foreigners helping us out. A group of Russian women spring-cleaned our house on Tuesday, including making our cooker look like new on the inside. I dread to think what chemicals must have been used for that.

The bed was delivered by a Polish guy, who helped Dad to lug it up the stairs. Ian had music being pumped into his ears so didn't hear their shouted requests for help.

Eating out with some people from the CIPD on Thursday we were served in Luigi Malone's by Chinese waitresses.

Today, though, there was a big moment. I have been calling into filling stations to get my left front tyre pumped up for weeks now, as it has a slow puncture. I actually got around to getting it fixed this morning. It took all of 10 minutes, including the waiting to get it done, which is definitely a lot less time than I have spent pumping it up since it got the puncture. And, the person who fixed it was Irish!

Next weekend is a bank holiday weekend, and there is a barge rally at Meelick. We will take the opportunity to show off our newly painted boat which, as it happens, has to be brought through Meelick on its way back to home base. It could be a good gathering there, though poor Goldie won't like it as he still has a buster collar around his neck to stop him scratching his eye. The shame of having it on in front of other dogs may just be too much!

The Limerick Animal Welfare people were at Superquinn today with a ginormous dog. Take Goldie, double him in size, and add loads of extra hair... The person who fostered Pippa before we took her was there. She recently got a new dog the same colour as Pippa, and has called her Pippa as well.

Tomorrow is Munster QM - the final of the 3 meetings where I'm expecting to be lambasted. The last 2 went fine, so let's hope this one does too.

Reminder to self - -- car insurance needs to be renewed this weekend.

One meeting down

The first of the Newtown meetings is over and I'm still alive, though probably not covered in roses. Life goes on, though, and all children are happy.

It's foggy outside this morning, as it was yesterday, but looks set to be a nice day. I hope I can get out in the garden this afternoon, though stupidly agreed to "take lunch" with a friend after Meeting, so that will delay things a bit. Bells are chiming outside, so it must be nearly 9.30am and all Church of Ireland people are being called to church.

Goldie has just taken his last antibiotic tablets. I've also given him a dose of Metacam so he is beginning to calm down from the awful itchiness his sore eye must bring. There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to scratch what itches, and the big dish collar around his neck is hampering him somewhat! Leavy is being mischievous, and I've already had to clean up from her misdeeds overnight. Pippa is being her normal quiet self, and isn't even asking me to throw a ball for her. Of course, the men of this household are sleeping soundly.

A really exciting happening in this village went and happened while I was out of the country. We now have a ginormous SuperValu shop alive and open. It's very exciting. The village hasn't known anything this exciting since... well, since. There are at least 200 new houses on sale in the area at the moment so Castleconnell is obviously THE place to be. Aren't you jealous, millions of readers that don't live here?

Home again

I like travelling less and less. Orlando was not very exciting - it was hot and sticky and very expensive. It seems that Mickey Mouse attracts lots of conferences and business events so they can charge what they like.

It was worth visiting Patty, who seems to have had a miracle cure, though has now to build up her strength so that she can get on with life. She has always been an optimist, and this is now paying off. It was also good to meet Paul, her intended future partner, who is very nice.

On Thursday evening Jan and Anne (Jan and Patty's mother) came to Orlando to see me and we all had a meal together. Anne has alzheimer's, but is very sweet with it and just goes with the flow. Jan gave me all the family news.

I managed to sleep for most of the flight from New York to Shannon, and then went to bed until lunch-time when I got home. I feel considerably better than I did earlier, but need a few days to get back to normal. This coming month is a busy one, with Newtown-related meetings the next 3 weekends, and at least one committee meeting in the week preceding School Committee. We intend to spend the final weekend of October, which is a bank holiday weekend, bringing our newly painted boat back down to Dromineer. It's very posh!

It's painted and ready to get back in the water

These sunflowers....

..could be growing in Bangor if only C had planted them there, as originally planned. However, we're getting the benefit of the pack of seeds instead.

Sea air

The men in my life decided that I needed fresh sea air to blow things out of my mind, so we headed off for west Clare yesterday afternoon. We found a lovely place for the dogs to go for a crazy run, at the less used end of Lahinch, and we all enjoyed the sea air.

I was fascinated by some surfers who were being pulled along by a large flying kite/sail-like object. It was difficult to work out how they could go in the opposite direction to the wind, but as we got near I saw that there seem to be a lot of adjustment strings that may make the kite get different wind directions. It was amazing, though, as one guy was going extremely fast across the water, and being pulled right up in the air every now and again. It must be exhilarating if you do it right.

We then went to Vaughans in Liscannor for a beautiful meal. I felt very sleepy on the way home, and had a good sleep last night. Those men in my life are very kind!

Today is rainy so my idea that I would do gardening and clean the outside of the windows has gone awry. Maybe I'll just read a book instead of doing all the housework I hate. I'm reading a book by Zultan Zinn-Collis, a survivor of the Holocaust and Bergen-Belsen camp, who was adopted by and Irishman, Bob Collis, and went to Newtown. It is fascinating, and horrific, but very readable.

I think the last person to leave Limerick has probably turned out the lights by now. Limerick has reached the all-Ireland hurling final for the first time in many years. I could hear the cars going past this morning on the main road heading for Croke Park, so there must have been lots of them.

Why is it?

Why is it that I end up in positions of responsibility? Why is it that these (voluntary) positions often involve resolving rows? Is it me (says she, thinking of Oscar Wilde and lost parents), or is it that I get appointed in this kind of situation? What would have happened this summer is someone entirely different was chair of NS Committee? Where would we be now - better or worse? In fact, would we have even tackled the junior school situation in the first place?

None of these questions seem answerable right now. If it is me, though, I should get out of my position forthwith. If it isn't me, then it is my responsibility to ensure that rows like this don't happen again over other things. However, I just don't have the energy to do a demanding job and act as chair of NS Committee. Given the choice right now between the two, my job seems more important and deserving of my energies. I'm not a quitter, though, so will probably keep on trundling.

Friday evening, and...

all is not well with the world. However, I've decided this is not my problem this evening so am choosing to ignore it.

Ian is working next week in Vistakon. He has to join me at work at 8am, which isn't something that warms the cockles of his heart. It's only for a week, though, so he'll manage.

This weekend we hope that our boat will finally enter dry dock. This may be tomorrow afternoon, or possible Sunday. Anyway, paint has been bought and all is ready for the big paint job.

Tomatoes, bananas and cucumbers are the major obstacles in Ian's life, he tells me. I've no idea why, as he hasn't explained that to me yet. Dad is worrying about the poor dogs lying on the floor starving as he hasn't fed them. I think he may be expecting me to do something about it, but I'm busy blogging.... must get priorities right.

I'd better start again

In my last blog I gave out about others not blogging, but I haven't posted since 6th July. I don't know where the time has gone. Two weeks of holiday on the boat, a frantic couple of weeks at work, and another week at the Friends World Committee for Consultation triennial meeting in Dublin, lead me to today. I am now exhausted and a bit distressed at the thought that I have no holidays to take between now and Christmas. Oh well!

Ian is searching Cappamore sites to see what could possibly be on in that remote village in Co Tipperary that could require him to be there at 10.30 tomorrow evening. He has just been invited to go there by Clare as she needs someone to ensure that Benjamin doesn't attempt to run after her more than he is already. The machinations of youth!

Ian is also searching house listings for a property for Gran. The developer has appealed on bended knees for her to move out of her house and has offered to pay for everything. There is a really nice house in Churchtown that she is making minor objections to, so he is trying to get her to visit it. Cost is 1.4million, a mere pittance if the developer is to pay for all!

The dogs are very unsettled. Leavy barked and scratched against the kitchen door until 2am last night and the three of them are taking every opportunity to bark at things. This is obviously our punishment for abandoning them last week. Hopefully they will settle down soon.

It's been a while

I fear that bloggers are all migrating to Facebook or one of those things for the young folks. That leaves me all on my own to face the world.

Anyway, Ian is watching some human pixels performing a huge real-time animation - it's very impressive. We've just brought the dogs for a walk so are relaxing after Leavy's energetic antics.

This week has been incredible. The rain and wind almost makes me want to stay at home for our holiday, but I'm still optimistic that the second half of July will be nice. At least we won't run aground with our boat as there is plenty of water around!

The upholsterer came and made nice work on our sitting area in the boat so I'm looking forward to seeing it tomorrow. b has photos and says it is very comfortable so at least we'll now have somewhere nice to sit in the evenings inside. Unfortunately our diesel cooker isn't working so there still isn't any decent method of cooking.

Ian has become a "clean house" junkie. He is going around cleaning things that haven't been touched in centuries, and each day I come home from work to find something looking good. Of course Leavy is doing her best to ensure she ruins his efforts indirectly, but doing things like pulling the stuffing out of sofa cushions, or chewing tables and chairs.

I'm hoping for some comedy on TV this evening, so am off to look for it.

Jonathan Woss is on the tele

Ian and Andres have arrived and they and the dogs are sitting comfortably on the sofa watching Jonathan. Andres finished exams yesterday, and Ian today, and both look absolutely exhausted.

The rain stopped for a few hours today so I enjoyed doing some weeding when I came home from work. The weeds are growing faster than the veggies, but I'm managing to beat them. I picked some raspberries - they aren't as tasty at this time of the year as they are in the autumn, but I must get some yoghurt to make smoothies all the same. There is lots of lettuce of various tasty types, and enough spinach to sink the Queen Mary. Peas and broad beans are coming on, but it will be a while before they are ready.

It's the weekend!

Summer isn't here

The rain, it raineth. Lots of puddles and water is around and I daren't even go near the garden for fear of sinking in it.

Goldie and Leavy have been misbehaving today. Leavy seems to have taken a liking to b's best beer and removed it from a cupboard, breaking a valuable bottle in the process. Goldie has found love (as he does from time to time) and is trying to reach the bitch. This has involved trying to break and exit from the side gate. He put a fair amount of force into the twisting he did to the wire facing on it, and has also bitten through the good, new wood. Both are in the severe bad books. Pippa is the only one we are talking to.

Tomorrow Ian has music in the morning, and then he only has one exam left - Applied Maths. He and Andres are coming home here after that, to sleep. We have been told not to disturb them, and not to ask them to do anything helpful this weekend. I assume they won't expect us to do anything helpful either!

I am chair of the local branch of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) this year so had to go to a meeting earlier to arrange the schedule of meetings for next year. I think all the work has been done in one meeting, so hope I'll be able to fulfill my agreement to be just a figure-head, and not to be someone who actually has to do any work on the committee.

Boating at last

Ian came home on Friday with his Physics books. I'd hate to be doing Physics as it seems to involve a lot of learning things off by heart. I remember finding it unpleasant when I was at school, which is one of the reasons I gave it up after 5th year.

We brought up all the bedding to the boat and eventually managed to set sail at about 5pm on Saturday. We intended to go to Dromaan as we reckoned it would be quiet, and we wanted a short journey so that we could get home quickly on Sunday for Ian's sake.

As we set sail the rain started. Luckily it only lasted about 15 minutes and the evening got progressively better. As we reached Dromaan, though, we saw 3 big plastic jobbies speeding up to get there ahead of us, and it looked as if there was a crowd in there. A look around the corner into the harbour confirmed our worst fears in time for us to turn around and go away. We then headed to Garrykennedy.

Near the entrance to the harbour there was a rib with 2 teenagers in it looking distressed. Their engine had given up and they had no oars. We towed them in. Their parents had seen them and came out to help, but it was easier for us to bring them right in.

Garrykennedy was very pleasant and quiet. It was nearly 10pm by the time we ate, and then headed to bed fairly promptly.

Today the lake was like a mill-pond. We were back in Dromineer by 1pm, with an uneventful voyage.

I'd better start the Knocknagow blog for this year now.

Garden photos

This is in response to the large number of requests to see the garden (well, 1 request, but it's exciting to get a comment on my blog!). It's raining, so everything is well watered.

Hundreds of plants later...

My therapy this morning after a stressful couple of days of committees and meetings at NSW the last couple of days was to plant all the veggie seedlings given to me by Alan Pim. It's amazing how much will fit into a small garden, but it is now pretty much full. I think we will have a glut of runner beans, and maybe of beetroot, but the rest of what I've planted should just give us nice tasters. We've already had a meal of rocket, which was very tasty. More has grown back where I picked it, so there will be enough for a meal this week as well.

The tomato plants seem to be surviving their drowning and are gradually starting to get a bit more green looking again. I have about 6 sunflower seeds growing in various places at the moment - I think 3 of them were from Carolan's never-carried-out attempt to plant sunflowers in the waste patches of Bangor. Never mind, Castleconnell's best garden will gain...

b has brought a load of metal to the scrap merchants, so our front garden is beginning to clear out. There is more to be brought, and some remnants of our old kitchen cabinets, but it looks a bit tidier all the same. My hanging basket by the front door turns the eye away from the scrap now, anyway.

The dogs had a run by the lake this morning after b went to Killaloe market. They are now flat out in cool spots, trying to sleep out the heat. We have all windows open and are not venturing outside much today. Ian looked pale when I saw him yesterday as he has decided to avoid the sun - sunstroke and exams don't go well together, he says. I hope he is currently madly doing sample maths questions as tomorrow's exam is the harder of the two exams.

Three exams complete, only Irish remaining this week

I think Ian was embarrassed into ringing at lunchtime today. He seems to be happy enough so far. I know Sylvia Plath came up on the English paper and he was keen on her. Maths 1 went fine too. So, a good start helps the rest.

The next major exam is Maths 2 on Monday.

so I did cycle today, but

b collected me for the way home as he said it was too hot for me to cycle back. I wasn't sure what it was going to be like outside but didn't feel I should demur from his offer or opinion.

I wonder how Ian got on in his first day of exams. Do ring us, Ian...

Back to work today

I fully intended to cycle to work today but just couldn't face it as I got up this morning. I had slept badly and my hands were so swollen that I couldn't get my ring off. Maybe it is the result of gardening, or maybe due to hay fever. As the day has progressed I seem to have become better. Maybe it was just an excuse designed to avoid the arduous task of cycling. We'll see what happens tomorrow morning.

The filter for the boat arrived today and b went up to Dromineer to have it fitted. We might even get to go out in the boat next Sunday....

I put a hanging basket up near the front door, with pink flowers hanging from it. It makes the house look a little less neglected than it was. I'm hoping that people also notice that I hoed the front flower bed and put some extra soil on it. The removal of the scrap metal, even if it is only into the trailer, will also help in this regard. There is only one boat left as well, so progress is being made.

I have to go now and do my daily dose of Sudoku.

The millenium forest

Well, we went exploring for our millenium tree yesterday, as promised. It was very exciting, b says, but Ian and I were less impressed. The dogs enjoyed the run, though. The forest is very close to Cloondavaun Bay, where we used to keep a boat, and is reasonably well marked. At the entrance to the soon-to-be forest there is a chart that shows what area your tree is in. Ours was about as far away from the entrance as you can get, so we set out over the hills.

I assume that they cut down a forested area in order to plant all these broad-leaved trees to celebrate the millenium. The scrub is in danger of taking over, but it is possible to pick out individual trees in rows. They are of mixed type, and were probably planted over a couple of years so vary in size.

We headed up the road and turned 2nd right. We went on down the hill and reached a dead end. There are no numbers on the trees so it isn't possible to decide which might be yours. It may be one of a thousand or so. We took a photo of one with our certificate.

On returning to the entrance we discovered we should have taken the 3rd turn on the right, so we'll just have to go there again some other day to find the true tree!

Today has been a nice lazy bank holiday day. I've been bumbling about in the garden most of the weekend so maybe some day there will be some growing things. I discovered that the pots the tomato plants are had no holes in the bottoms, which is why they were so waterlogged. b's knife helped out and water came streaming down the legs of my jeans. I hope I'm not too late to rescue the plants.

One useful task I did today was to unearth the trailer and put some scrap metal into it. b had fixed the towing hitch yesterday so we now have a means of bringing the metal to the recycling yard. It will take two journeys, but the first load is at least ready to go.

Ian and b have now headed to Waterford. Ian gets special treatment today as Leaving Cert exams officially start tomorrow (the first exams are on Wednesday).

The lads are lazing

I spent the morning gardening but began to wonder whether Ian and b were alive when I still heard no sounds at mid-day. They were both fast asleep while I was slaving away.

I hoed the veg garden, cut back over-grown plants in the main garden, planted the items I had bought at the Newtown plant sale, tidied the flower bed at the front of the house (well, a little bit, as it needs major work), and discovered that the reason the tomato plants aren't doing well is that they are water-logged. b has now helped me to lift up the large pots the tomatoes are in so that they can drain better. I hope they survive.

We're going on an expedition this afternoon to see if we can find our tree - yes, the millenium tree that was planted for the Goggin family in a forest. Surely it must have grown by now and we can find it. We have its number and I'm sure that the government minister who planted it (Seamus Brennan) will be waiting at the forest to show us where it is.

...the old man is snoring

'cos it's raining and it's pouring. Ian and B are drooling over car brochures as b thinks I need to buy a new car sometime in the next couple of years and he is trying to persuade me that it should be a Citroen Picasso. The selling point seems to be the rechargeable torch in the back of the car. I'm ignoring everything!

We've rearranged things in the big room so that it is a bit tidier, though I think we need to throw loads out. Ian has promised to do that when his exams are finished. When the boat finally gets going the shelves will clear a bit of duvets and pillows.

Leavy got her stitches out yesterday and is now a four-legged dog. She is using all four legs most of the time but the vet says that she will always sit with her leg out. I spent yesterday evening cutting out large hunks of matted hair from her back. She would make a good Rastafarian.

It feels like Friday

I've got tomorrow off, and it is a long weekend this weekend due to the public holiday, so it feels like Friday today. I'm confused, though, as all the travelling up and down to Waterford this week has me a bit on the tired side. I set off for Waterford yesterday after work and nearly turned back as I thought I wouldn't make it, but a stop for a sandwich and coffee kept me going.

Tomorrow it is the final day of term at Newtown, so the country fair and sports are on. I've to attend a meeting at 2pm, though (Ian, please note), so it won't all be a relaxing day. Hopefully we'll be on the road home by 3pm.

b has an idea of how to solve the filter problem on the boat so hopefully we will get our holiday in July, as it may take only a week or so to resolve. We've also asked someone to make up decent seats in the living room area - 3 sides with a leather cover, leaving an open centre space where we can put a table when we need it. It should be much more comfortable than the present set-up.

Carolan is in Londinium today. It sounds like a very exciting NUS committee that she has been asked to join, so she has gone up for the first meeting (or should it be down?). No doubt she will let us know more at some stage soon. Her annual ball is on Saturday so we won't disturb her on Sunday!

I went looking for Ian yesterday evening after my committee, but he wasn't in the library. No doubt he had gone off to study elsewhere!!! I know he saw my car on Tuesday as he put two guitars into it, as arranged. If you're out there, Ian, hi! See you tomorrow.

I think I'd better go and relax and read the paper.

Oh, and....

I've booked for Ian and I to go to experience a Dara O'Briain performance in Vicar Street on Thursday 1st November.

Another power cut - and now it works!

I came home to find the wireless network working. On enquiry, my dear husband admitted that the hi-tech solution came due to another power cut today. He thinks that the order in which you turn things back on may be important. Anyway, I can get back to blogging again.

We were at a great performance yesterday. The Newtown Chamber Choir sounded wonderful in the Franciscan Friary, and we also heard a new female choir (Voci) and a large male voice choir, as well as some classical guitar playing. It was a nice end to a cold day. The "leavers'" lunch was very well attended and it was good to meet up with Andres' parents who had come all the way from Spain. b also met a friend from college days and had a great chat. The dogs got their treat in the form of a big run on Woodstown Strand.

The weather continues to be cold and uninviting. My veggies are growing OK but I don't really feel like going out there to sow more, and to ensure the weeds don't take over. I'm determined, though, that I'll get the better of them all this year.

I have to go to Waterford 4 times this week - one was yesterday; two is tomorrow for a finance committee; three is for a planning committee on Wednesday; and the final visit is on Friday for the end of term. Next week I'll have to go down for School Committee, but then things will begin to wind down for the summer.

Wales ahoy

We had a lovely weekend in Wales. Carolan and Frodo had organised some things and we had organised a dinner in our lovely country house that accommodated dogs. Isolde and Tony joined us too as they were starting their tour of the UK.

The crossing on Saturday was a bit rough but we sedated the dogs, and sat in the centre of the HSS ourselves, so we all survived. Goldie had droopy eyelids for the rest of the day but the sedation didn't seem to affect Leavy at all! They had a good run around on Anglesey and we then headed to Caernarvon where B bought out all stocks in a cheese shop. We had a lovely dinner in our guest house and a generally peaceful evening. On Sunday we were woken early by the dogs and enjoyed playing with them and the guest house dogs on their front lawns. We then walked to Aber Falls, a waterfall very like Powerscourt waterfall. We kept the dogs on leads while we were passing sheep, but they also got a good free run.

We hadn't bothered to check whether the HSS was running on Sunday as it was sunny and calm. There was a long, slow queue at the check-in and it was only as we arrived at the desk that we discovered that the HSS wasn't running due to a technical problem. We were lucky enough to get onto the Stena ferry instead, but were probably about the 10th last to get onto it. A lot of people were left behind, though they may have made the Irish Ferries ferry later.

Now there is all the missed washing to be done, backed up from 2 weekends of not being free. What fun!

Special Olympics

The day started out overcast, with a few drops of rain, and it didn't look good. However, it brightened up as the day went on and so we had a good day helping out with 5-a-side soccer for Munster Special Olympics. The participants in the soccer are of all sorts of shapes, sizes and character, but they are universally having a great day out. This evening there is a dinner and disco. The disco seems to be the highlight of the weekend, though I don't know where they get the energy.

Leavy had to be brought to the vet today as she was whimpering yesterday evening and had given up using her bad leg. We couldn't make out what was wrong as it was nothing visible. The vet says it may have just swelled up due to her being so lively, so gave us "Metacam" to ease the swelling. She already seems a lot better and is chasing the other two dogs around at the moment.

There was a power cut overnight that affected production lines at work, and it has taken most of the day to get them back up and running. We also had one here that knocked out the wireless router. b has managed to get it working again now.

I'm exhausted, but had better change and go out to the Special Olympics event. I have to make a short speech. I had to welcome them all this morning too, alongside a City Councillor, priest and other officials, from the back of an army truck.

What's growing in the garden right now

Well, there is a boat cover, for a start:



and, look at the vegetables from various angles..... though I won't show you the tomato plant that has been eaten by something.







And I have to add the clematis, though the wind got it last night so it isn't at its best:



We have worked out how to get C's boat onto the car and still open the boot so that the dogs can get in and out, so we are all set to go to Wales on Saturday week. I suppose we ought to remember to bring the mast.

No need to water the garden today

It's a bank holiday weekend. We've had dry and sunny weather for weeks. But, today it is raining. That's not fair. I know it was forecasted, but still, you'd think the man above would be a bit more compassionate.

B commented yesterday that the garden is beginning to look like a garden. After 20 years in the house, it seems I've at last cracked it, at least for a week or so until the weeds take over. I now have peas, broad beans, runner beans, radishes, lettuces of various types, raspberries, spuds, beetroot, leeks, carrots, rhubarb, spinach, courgettes and tomatoes in various stages of growth. This means that some may never leave the seed stage, but at least I've tried. The front garden now needs tackling, but I might meet a politician if I went out there, so I'll use that as an excuse for the moment.

Election fever is at full pitch. Will the PDs push Bertie? Do they like their ministerial cars too much? Is it too much of a gamble? Ian is reading all the election literature and has questions to ask of those who come to our door. He is on the electoral register for the first time so wants to ensure he makes good use of his vote. He is even beginning to make the rest of us enthusiastic! One candidate's parents made the mistake of thinking he didn't have a vote when they called to the door, and spoke to him as if he needed to tell his parents the way to vote.

With the globalisation of human resources in our parent company at work I am required to have a career development assessment. It is supposed to be for me only, and nobody else is to see it other than the person from the consultancy company who gives me the feedback. Why, then, is it compulsory? I have to answer questions on a case study, and complete this within a week (a week from when, I'm not sure). It's not very fascinating so I'm having as much difficulty persuading myself to do it as Ian is having persuading himself to study.

The dogs have just gone off with the food bowl. Leavy loves to do this, but I'm not sure why. It is a noisy occupation. They are probably feeling a bit cooped up. I put some flea ointment on them yesterday and they aren't supposed to go into water for 48 hours after its application. That's difficult when they are walking near here, so our solution has been to occupy them here. They need a good run, though.

Newtown Chamber Choir won their competition in the Cork Choral Society yesterday, with the premiere of a piece writting for them in memory of Eric deCourcy. Well done them!

I did it!

Well, I'm returned home after cycling to and from work today. It took me just under half an hour each way. It was strange going into work as I wasn't sure how long it would take me and whether I'd be really exhausted once I reached there. I am certainly very unfit, but it would be a lovely cycle ride if I were a bit fitter.

I think I'll do it again - maybe even tomorrow!

Another long committee day over

I arrived home at 10pm yesterday, having set out before 8am. That's a long day when most of it was attending committee meetings.

I was due to Waterford at 10.30am but got tempted by a new set of shops outside Carrick-on-Suir (Meadows & Byrne and Avoce Handweavers). I have passed them at least 20 times when they haven't been open, so I decided to explore. One cup of coffee and scone later (5 euro!) I headed on, refreshed, for Waterford, arriving at 11am. That meant I was half an hour late to meet up with someone who I had thought wouldn't be there, but was. So, the long day started.

I had a pleasant meal with Ian after committees ended. He is just finishing his History essay for Leaving Cert and is happy with his Music practical exam he did on Thursday. The chamber choir is due to premiere a new piece next Thursday at the Cork Choral festival. It was specially written for them in memory of Eric deCourcy, who died a couple of months ago but was the highly regarded music teacher when I was at school. We hope to hear the piece when the Waterford premiere happens on the evening of the Leavers' lunch, 27th May.

Today is supposed to be sunny but it currently looks as if it might rain. I've been doing a bit of gardening, trying to break down the chunks of soil so that they will accept the seedlings I have grown. b bought me some broad bean seedlings yesterday to replace the ones I lost a few days ago, and also some tomato plants that I will try to grow if Leavy doesn't get them.

Hedges and growth

Normally you can tell it is 1st May because the first leaves appear on our beech hedge. This year they have appeared already, 5 days early. This is unheard of and changes the world as we know it! I love the green of early leaves and think this is the most beautiful time of the year.

Disaster hit my plans to grow enough food to sustain us (well, sustain us for 1 or 2 meals perhaps). My mini-greenhouse fell over in a gust of wind and knocked over all the seedlings inside it. I thought I had rescued them but today find that the broad bean seedlings, which had been doing so well and were ready to plant out, have gone black and died. The sweet corn may be OK, but isn't very happy. However, the peas and spinach I sowed a couple of weeks ago are now peering above the soil in the main vegetable plot. The potato greenery is also above ground so we might even get a spud.

I decided that Monday was the day that it was to happen. I was going to cycle to work. But, it rained so it didn't happen. Rain stopped by Thursday, but then I had to go to Waterford in the evening so needed my car. Today I was just too tired to get there. Maybe next week will be better.

It is the school committee "season" at the moment. I have spent most of this week and last either on the phone or at committee meetings related to the school. Hassle level is running high and the usual methods of doing business in Quaker committees aren't working as they should. I tried to bring people together for a meeting tomorrow for a Patron meeting to discuss our issues as a committee, but this hasn't been successful. The good news is that the Dept of Education and Science has approved the setting up of the first Quaker national school in the country so we will be able to move our current private school to becoming a state-funded school this September. Hallelujah!

I've now been 6 months in my job and I've realised that I'm enjoying it as I settle in. It's a lovely feeling to enjoy work and feel comfortable in it. Long may it last. Next week we have a visit of big-wigs from the US on Friday so everywhere is being painted and polished ready for the visit. The place is gleaming. The flower-beds have been emptied, though, so I'm wondering what they are intending to plant that will be flowering beautifully for Friday. It's all good fun!

Last week's sailing

I forgot to tell you all about our sailing last Sunday. We borrowed a Tirion sailing boat from Shannon Sailing and set out in low winds and blazing sunshine. I was wearing shorts - and it was still April!

The Tirion is very easy to sail, but has all sorts of possibilities for adjustments for the advanced sailor. It is a day boat, with a small cabin that doesn't really get in the way. The main emphasis is on deck space for seating. Ian and I sailed it on our own while b took photos of us. It was great fun, and just the antidote to jet lag.

The boat work starts

The weather here has been great all week but today rain was forecast for the afternoon. I wanted to do some painting on the boat so headed off to it mid-morning, having walked the dogs first.

I started cleaning the decks with the pressure hose and spent about an hour and a half doing this, completing about one-third of the boat. Then the electrics for the marina gave up. After some investigation it appears that the pressure hose caused this, so I couldn't continue. I then moved on to painting the gates that weren't finished last year. I had put anti-rust paint on them last week so they were ready for the main coat. I completed this and then gave up, exhausted by it all. The sun was still blazing out of the heavens. B had arrived to drill some holes in metal, but I decided to leave him to continue his activities and I returned home, via Nenagh.

Half way home it started to rain. It isn't very wet, but short showers are continuing every now and again. I've arranged to borrow the pressure hose belonging to the marina tomorrow so hope the rain doesn't settle in.

I managed to buy some organic manure in Nenagh, aka poultry shit. The garden will like a bit of rain. There doesn't seem to be much growing in it yet, other than weeds, but I'm optimistic that some of the seeds I planted last week will show their heads some day soon. There are some signs of the potatoes growing up so we might be able to scrap a meal of spuds some day within the next 6 months. Rhubarb is also growing, so that's what we'll have for lunch tomorrow.

I got out!

I arrived at the boarding gate for the plane to Shannon just as they were about to board as my connecting flight was two hours late. My name was called just before I got to the gate so I reported dutifully to the desk. They had been calling for volunteers to accept $500 plus an extra night in New York as the flight was over-booked. I was feeling secure as I had booked in very early, when I checked in at Jacksonville, but the man took my boarding card and tore it up. Eek!!! The next stage was obviously an interrogation, and I began to wonder what misdemeanour or felony I could admit to.

Anyway, joy of joys, they had selected me for an upgrade so he just wanted to print me out a boarding card for my new, elevated, status. Business class is comfortable so it was a nice flight, even though I only got about 2 hours of sleep. Even better, when I collected my car I found the front left tyre had not deflated, as it had done the night before I left, so I was able to drive straight home to bed.

I think it is Saturday. I've just looked at the time and find it is late afternoon. The sun has disappeared but it is still warm out. Tomorrow we are going to go sailing, which should complete the relaxation and make me ready for the week ahead.

Sleepless in Jacksonville

Don't let anyone cod you into believing that Florida is warm and sunny. I know, because I've seen with my own eyes, that it rains and is as cool as in Ireland. In fact, it is probably cooler than it was at home last weekend. I am pleased to learn this, though, as I'm happier when it isn't too hot.

I woke a while ago, expecting it to be time to get up as I felt refreshed. However, I discovered that I had only slept for a couple of hours and there is a long way to go until morning. So, in desperation, I've decided to blog. This happened last night too (not the blogging) and I eventually managed to get back to sleep for another few hours.

Our hotel is in a completely newly built "town centre". A developer decided that he would build what looks like a European town centre with lots of relatively small shops, without the covered mall that is more common in the US. It is a pleasant place to stroll around, though I haven't yet explored the shops. I was walking around the night I arrived and heard the sound of what seemed like a jazz band. I couldn't work out where it was, but it was pleasant so I explored further. In fact the music was coming from outdoor loudspeakers embedded near the ground, located all around the car park I was crossing.

The team training I'm attending is OK. It is interesting to meet all my HR colleagues from around the world but I don't have much interaction with them, or need to, so it is difficult to participate in team building.

I think I'll try to get some sleep again.

It doesn't really seem like Easter

Working on Good Friday in a company that operates 24/7 means that Fridays don't seem like the pre-cursor to the weekend, and this Friday was no different. Most people were at work today, with no obvious gaps in the car park. Mind you, I was one of the last to leave at 5ish, so the good weather encouraged everyone who could go to leave as early as possible.

I did some digging when I got home. The veg plot is nearly all dug now, and the weeds are beginning to grow. My seeds that are planted in the mini-greenhouse show no sign of growing yet. I'm hoping the freezing nights haven't killed them off.

Tomorrow we have to get up at 5am to go to Dublin so that we can join some friends who are moving their narrow-boat out of the city. It will be an interesting journey so they are going to be saddled with us for the day.

Hi Ian

Hi Ian, how are you?

Ironing done, raring to go...

3 weeks worth of ironing done so I'm ready now for the rest of the day. A fresh cup of coffee is brewing and the sun is shining. It's going to be beautiful, though there is still a bit in the air.

I'm trying to teach the dogs that they don't need to defend us from the Martians in the graveyard. Goldie is beginning to understand but Leavy now seems to be taking over. Each time they bark the idea is to distract them, giving them the message that you aren't interested in what is happening outside our garden. I'm doing the distraction by feeding them tiny bits of sausage. It's hard to be consistent in their treatment, though, as I keep getting disturbed for yet another encounter with Martians.

I've been thinking about Pippa and her behaviour on walks. She definitely sees herself as leading them, starting with insisting on choosing her own stick to be thrown for her and refusing to chase any other stick throughout the whole walk. She doesn't come when she is called, unless it suits her, and last week b had got all the way home with the others and had to go back for her. She was still playing in the water at the river and he ended up having to wade in to grab her. She shows agressive behavious towards other dogs who come nearby. It all seems to be a mixture of protectiveness as she sees herself as leader of the pack, but also insisting that as leader she can choose what she wants to do. Definitely a case for a dog psychologist!

No, I'm being too optimistic. Goldie has found his favourite Martian, who digs graves and maintains the area, and got very excited barking at him. This is hard work! I think I'll get out the hoover instead.

People on roofs, sun, mice and son

A contractor collapsed on the roof of our company this week and he is in a critical state in hospital. Handling the trauma of the first aiders involved, and other follow-up, has made for a stressful and busy week.

This morning I brought some Americans who are moving to Ireland to visit the market for the first time. When they went I had my list with me and had to explain to the stall-holders that I was being allowed to do the shopping all on my own today as b is away in Dublin for the day. They were impressed (well, whatever...) and I think I managed to get most of what was required. Ian got a hair cut while I shoppped - he has a change of style and it looks very good.

While at the market the security company rang to tell me our alarm had gone off at home. I assumed that the dogs had managed to find their way into the hall and upset the motion sensor so Ian and I were dreading what we were going to arrive home to. However, they weren't in the hall and there was no obvious reason why the alarm had gone off. It is still a mystery. Anyone know what error 1 is?

The lovely sun today has meant I was tempted out into the garden and have managed to do a bit more digging. I planted 5 potatoes from Irish Seed Savers, and have also put seeds into pots in a new polythene "greenhouse" thing I acquired cheaply.

Meanwhile C is having problems with mice (it is bound to be plural, I'm afraid, as those blighters are very fond of procreation). It's not at all pleasant to arrive home and find nightclothes chewed up that were on the bed. Mice don't make good bedfellows.

b has made history by going to Dublin on the train from Castleconnell. He says it will break down, as the occasional time he has used trains in the past he has had bad luck with them. He has brought supplies, just in case...

Maybe we will get to the boat tomorrow to start the clean-up and get it ready for use. That would be nice.

We're back

Around Ramelton is beautiful, particularly on a weekend when the sun shone on everything. The dogs had runs on two fantastic beaches. I don't know how they had any energy after the amount of running they did. Pippa is the reliable one who always returns the balls back. Leavy and Goldie race after a ball, catch it, and then drop it as they feel their work is done. This is a bit of a disadvantage if the ball has happened to go into the sea.

Aunt Anne's house is very much as you would expect it to be - pictures in every space possible on the walls, all with their history, and mostly originals. She was in great form, with no brain cells showing any sign of disappearing in spite of the 80 years of age. Her friend, Deborah, joined us for lunch on Sunday and is also in good shape in spite of an arthritic neck.

The winds here last weekend seem to have taken their toll. Our B&B hosts were cutting up a big tree that had fallen over their front lawn, slightly bigger than the one that had fallen at Rockspring.

b spent today showing old canals and lock gates to Ruth H, who is a biggy in the area of waterways heritage. She didn't know much about this part of the Shannon so b and the dogs were able to show her lots.

I love the bright evenings brought on by the change of time. Maybe the loss of an hour overnight is worth it!

It's Donegal for the weekend

This week has flown by on account of the public holiday on Monday. We're off to Ramelton in Co Donegal on Saturday. It will take us 5+ hours to get there, and obviously the same to get back, so it won't be the most relaxing weekend. However, it must be done sometime.

Aunt Anne was in a bit of a fuss about the dogs but we've managed to get self-catering accommodation about 5 minutes away from her house, and they can sleep in the kitchen of the cottage. Hopefully we'll manage a run on the beach alongside Lough Swilly. I wonder is there any chance we'll see the sailing boat we used to own, Pynta Pleyne?

Today has been another busy day at work. It started with having to hear an appeal to a disciplinary warning, not an easy thing to do. Most of the day was spent in things associated with this and with interviewing for a senior position we are trying to fill. Other things build up behind that, and it certainly makes the week fly.

Do you realise that it is only 2 weeks until Easter? We need to get the boat cleaned and ready to go out on it. Maybe we can do that next weekend so that it is ready before C comes home. I wonder how Leavy will take to it. She is as mad as a hatter still. I'm reading a book on listening to dogs so maybe it will provide all the solutions to keeping dogs happy and in line....or maybe not....

They're all tired and sick today

Ian has a sort throat. b is lying down, resting. I've no energy. Maybe there is something afoot in our house to lay us all out. We've just discovered that Ian has missed the bus as Bus Eireann has put on the weekday timetable today even though it is a public holiday. On the other hand, there is no train as Irish Rail has put on the Sunday timetable as it is a public holiday. The latter is more common practise.

b will deliver Ian to the train in the morning after he has brought Leavy to the vet to get rid of her stitches.

It is now dry, and getting warmer. 6.6 degrees at the moment.

Nice long weekend

It's sort of snowing out and some is staying on the ground. The temperature was just over freezing all my way home from Dublin yesterday evening and apparently roads in Kildare are treacherous this morning. It's just as well I didn't stay overnight in Dublin. Sky fest was cancelled due to the high winds so getting through Dublin to get to the west was fairly easy.

It's good to hear the travellers got home safely, if late. It must have been very rocky on the Irish Sea.

It's been a nice relaxing weekend so far. It's been lovely to have all the family at home. I have another quiet day ahead, with nothing planned to do, though I must go into the attic to look for the dog guard. That's my kind of quiet day!1!

Rain all day

It has rained constantly all day. How depressing!

I went to Meeting this morning. 18 people were there, which is a good crowd. Those who were in Cork last week were all concerned re how I survived the event. They are a nice, supportive, lot.

Ian has gone back to school now. His new guitar seems to be a success. It is amazing how it reverberates for long after a note has been strummed. I don't know how that is managed in such a small guitar body. It was obviously worth the price paid.

Onward to another week. C will be 22 on Tuesday, the day voting starts in Bangor. It's going to be an interesting week.

And now for a relaxing weekend

Nothing special is on this weekend so I'm intending to have a really relaxing one. I suppose I'll have to do some housework, including things like ironing that have built up. I might even do some gardening if the weather cheers up a bit. But, the purpose of this weekend is to get rid of my cough and get up the energy levels.

C sounds like she is having a tough time campaigning. I got very up-tight on behalf of my brother when he stood for president of Trinity students' union in the '70s. He won, but it was a nasty campaign. I hated to hear people call my brother dishonest, when he wouldn't know how to be. However, that's politics, and it's sometimes a nasty business. Mind you, I've had that kind of thing in committee work recently - at the meeting I had to attend last Sunday there were statements made that suggested I had "another agenda" for a major decision. I have no idea what my "other agenda" was, or was purported to be, and those who know me know that I had no such thing. However, those who don't know me may be questioning what I'm up to. The fact that I have a clear conscience doesn't really help at times like that.

Ian says he is now old and therefore doesn't know any more what the "young folk" do. His father claims to be better informed. b is feeding the dogs with frankfurters at the moment, having embedded a tablet in Leavy's. She is back to normal energy levels now, though licking her stitches that were put in as one of her metal pins in her leg was removed.

They're all grown up!

Happy birthday to Ian - 18 today. Now I have no under-age children, making me feel very old. I think I'll have to go to counselling for mothers whose children have fled the nest and feel redundant.

Ian is, I imagine, very busy today registering for voting and getting his age card. I supplied him with his birth cert and passport to help with getting these today. Now we will see how (in)efficient the system is for getting onto the register of voters.

Leavy is quiet this evening, recovering from her leg operation. She had one of two pins removed and this should help her to feel more comfortable in walking with her hind leg, as the pin was sticking into bits of her. The fun part will be ensuring she doesn't remove her stitches by licking them. We may have to put a "buster" collar on her if she starts to scratch.

Both of us are recovering from our respective doses of the bonk. I'm still coughing and spluttering but at least have more energy than I had earlier in the week. All the same, I've decided not to go to Newtown tomorrow for a committee meeting as yesterday's trip there, plus the Cork trip on Sunday, have delayed full recovery.

I don't like being unwell

I have a very sore throat and a cough and a temperature and am feeling sorry for myself. A stuffed nose means lying in bed to rest doesn't work as it gets worse. Get me out of this agony! It's just as well it is Saturday and I don't have to go to work. Tomorrow I have to go to QM in Cork, though, and need my voice to defend decisions on the junior school, from the secondary school perspective. Not having much energy may be no harm as I will have to stick to the important points.

The fencing of the garden is almost complete. Some concrete just has to be laid at the base of the fence at the end of the garden to ensure that Goldie doesn't dig holes under it. It was great to be able to let them outside this morning and know that they couldn't escape. Well, at least, Leavy hasn't yet tried jumping the 5ft+ needed to escape yet. Now the garden just needs some tidying (lots!).

An evening at home

Since I last travelled with Aer Lingus they have implemented on-line check-in so you can print your boarding pass before you set out. I took advantage of this to seat myself at the front of the cabin on the way home from London on Monday and ended up being the first off the plane. I like on-line check-in!

Tuesday was yoga day again. I'm still not really getting into this but it does me no harm to spend 1.5 hours doing stretching and breathing exercises. I'll miss it next week as I have to go to a Planning committee meeting in Waterford.

Wednesday evening saw the final organic gardening class. b didn't come as he was completing an urgent document for a client. I learnt about the herbs that are worth growing, veggies that go well together, and plants to grow that attract nice insects. There is to be an outing to Jim's garden in June so we might go to that.

That brings me to tonight, the first evening at home this week. I'm getting as bad as C!

I wonder how Ian's exams are going.... Do you think he might let us know?

A quiet night

No adventures during the night last night, thank goodness. However, I forgot to put away a cushion I was using on my chair. Within a few minutes of my leaving them on their own they had found it and were pulling the zip off the cover. It was my favourite elephant design.... It may be possible to mend it so I've put it in the washing maching first to clean it.

The fencing around the garden will be great once complete. I spent a while throwing bouncy things around the garden for the dogs this morning and it was great that they didn't disappear into hedges and mucky areas as the fencing prevented my mis-throws from landing there. This game managed to exhaust them for a few minutes but I can hear them waking up again.

We're going looking for cheap patio type slabs this morning to make a pathway around the veg garden.

My husband tells me

...that my last blog was very sad. He said it in a post-ironic sort of way that suggested a lack of sympathy. I had politely neglected to say that he slept through all of last night's saga, but I'll add that in now!

Ian is trying to get us to remember quadratic equations from our dim, distant pasts. I remember loving doing them but now haven't a clue how to start. He seems to be doing OK, though. He has pages and pages of figures working out various strange things.

It's been very wet and soggy today. I did a small amount of garden digging but came inside once the rain started and have now done 2 weeks worth of ironing. I think b was a bit surprised to see me with headphones on listening to my MP3 player so I didn't admit that I was listening to Rolf Harris. Perhaps he won't find out...

I am now charging the MP3 player so that it is prepared for my flight to London on Monday. I've managed to avoid work-related travelling since last June so I shouldn't complain. I'd love to avoid it forever, though. I have to go to Londinium and back on Monday and my meetings are close to the airport. I don't remember how many times I have visited Heathrow without getting a chance to get in to London itself.

More daffodils arrived in the house from the market today. Yellow is a really cheerful colour.

Grr....

I'm feeling very grumpy this morning, having had a disturbed night as a result of Leavy's antics. She started off by displaying that she had the runs, though luckily two doses were caught outside. Midnight saw me cleaning up the third off the kitchen floor. At various stages throughout the night Leavy barked. The question was whether she was looking for attention or telling me that she had done another one. I decided it was best to ignore, and the kitchen floor was clean this morning.

Leavy has learnt how to open one of the sliding doors to the kitchen cupboards. This morning she took out our spare plastic bags and they were nicely shredded on the living floor in a period of no more than 10 minutes while I was out of the room.

The garden is a mess as our friendly odd-jobber continues to progress slowly. The trouble is that it makes leaving the dogs outside impossible without supervision as they naturally graduate to the mud in the veg patch.

b rang me yesterday afternoon to tell me there were white balls all over the house. The insulation people returned eventually and spent the afternoon digging out the insulation that escaped into the attic. They didn't have plastic bags, hoover, or any equipment to help. However, they left the place reasonably ball free, considering. They have to return on Monday to collect another 10 bags of polystyrene balls. I haven't dared to look into the attic yet!

The "lads" have gone into town to the do the shopping. I see they have taken 150 euro out of my account in Arthurs Quay so must be parked there. ATM cards are very handy, who needs a GPS to locate people?

Ian has left me his Irish history book in the hopes that I will read it and then it will fall into his brain. Hmm...

Fences, daffodils, and other things

There are no fences around our garden now, but we'll soon have chain link ones designed to keep the dogs well inside. Our non-local friendly odd-job man has appeared to get it all done but is taking his time. Two days have so far been spent in buying materials and knocking down what was already there.

Meanwhile, the dogs are getting a bit fractious. One minute they are the best of friends and the next they are getting at each other. Just like children really!

At least 100 daffodils in full bloom adorn our house at the moment. What a display! They really do brighten things up. Added to that, I'm occasionally getting home when it is still light so it feels like spring has sprung.

b has gone to organic gardening class on his own today. I wimped out so that Ian had someone at home with him to help with the dogs as he hates them getting at each other. Tomorrow I have to go out to a table quiz that is raising funds in aid of an employee who has cancer. That is likely to be a late night.

The Prime Minister of Poland is visiting Ireland at the moment. He has expressed concern that if gayness is promoted the population won't reproduce and the world will come to an end. Interesting fella!

It's sunny

What a beautiful sunny Sunday it is today. We'd better make the most of it as it is due to rain later. b has gone off with the friends who stayed overnight and dogs to see a disused lock on the Plassey-Erinna canal. It'll give the dogs some exercise if nothing else. Then b and friends are heading off to visit marinas leaving Ian and I to mind the dogs.

I think I did too much cleaning and gardening yesterday as I'm very stiff. I definitely need to exercise more.

Ian is home

I decided to clean the house today. Needless to say, I've had a busy day. My sticking power isn't great, though, so the rest is likely to have to wait for another week. The room that took the longest to do was the shower room. I even took a brillo pad to the toilet to see if I could get the lime off it. Anyway, I'm felling a bit virtuous, though the trouble about housework is that it really needs the same again every week and the gleaming look doesn't last for long.

I also lit two bonfires in the garden. I suspect that is against lots of regulations but I could think of no other way to get rid of all the stuff I've cut back this year. I still have two large piles and will light them again tomorrow if the weather is nice. Today was perfect for a bonfire as there was no wind and clear sky.

Ian is home for half term. He has mock Leaving Cert exams after the break so he has brought home lots of books.....

Our house is full of daffodils. I reckon b must have cleared the market stall of everything that was left. I don't have enough vases to put them in so I've put the closed ones into a bucket for the moment.

b has gone to collect some friends from the airport. They are staying overnight and then he brings them to visit various waterways locations they want to explore before bringing over their narrow-boat later in the year. They need to find a suitable marina as a base and so have a few appointments tomorrow to see them. b will return home on Monday, having left them to a Dublin train at Carrick-on-Shannon. Ian and I will hold the fort hear with the dogs.

I said I wouldn't talk dogs this week, but...

Here they are, this dysfunctional pack of dogs:





Leavy's hind leg that she doesn't use:

How has Sunday come around so quickly?

I'm exhausted and getting small dizzy spells today. Maybe it is because the world is turning so quickly as I can't understand how we've reached Sunday so soon again. Where did the week go?

Yesterday I was in Waterford again for yet another committee. It went on the longest of the ones I've chaired but I think it was useful for clearing the air. I sit listening to all views and sides and assumptions and prejudices but find it difficult to transmit them on to those who have different views, assumptions and prejudices. Hence a meeting where everyone gets a chance to air them, and my role was to ensure that people said out loud what they have been saying in private. This was worthwhile. I'm tired, though!

A dog trainer came yesterday and b spent 4 hours with her learning how disfunctional their behaviour is. Oh dear. I wonder does this apply to how we have brought up our children too. The same methods seem to have produced pretty good offspring so far!

This week b and I are actually going out on Valentine's Day. The fact that we are going to an organic gardening class may not appeal to all romantics but I'm looking forward to it. We are goin to learn how to grow veggies in a 4ft x 4ft area, which is just about what we might be able to manage.

Happy birthdays

Three generations of birthdays fall today in the Haughton household. My father is 87, my brother is 49 and my niece is 14. There have been birthday cakes and cups of tea up there, with my parents going out for their annual lunch in Enniskerry.

Next week is Gran's birthday. Then our birthday season starts in March, with Ian achieving the big one eight. He might even get to vote in the elections this year if he manages to get on the register in time.

The phone is now fixed

Leavy managed to chew up the phone connection today. Goldie had eaten all the books that were on the small table in the living room a couple of days ago so that was all that was left on it. So now the phone has been put in a more permanent position, properly wired, out of harm's way.

What a week it has been! This morning saw all of us going for an early morning walk in the frost, my first with the 3 dogs. They were all very good and energetic. Leavy gets excited when other dogs are on our road, though, and we haven't worked out how to stop her escaping. Someone advised a ring fence thing that beeps and gives a shock to stop her going near it but I priced that in the Co-op shop and the cheapest is 256 euros, a bit much for something that would teach her within a couple of days and then no longer be necessary.

It was a full day in Waterford for me yesterday, but the committee meetings were reasonably productive. We've to meet again next week, which is a nuisance, but at least I'll get to see Ian again. He went out with B and the dogs and fell in love with Leavy too. It seems that collies are renowned for their intelligence and it is certainly obvious that she is very intelligent.

Next week I promise to talk about something other than dogs.

Those dratted dogs

Two large brown jobs greeted me this morning in the kitchen, though I had a rest from anything yesterday. I cleared them up, had my cup of coffee and then had a shower. As I dressed I heard a big bang and could hear the dogs playing downstairs. Goldie and Leavy had managed to get down the large plastic container of treats that is in a cupboard in the kitchen and were helping themselves to them....

Later in the day Leavy escaped 3 times, on one occasion getting as far as the river car park before she was found. She is very obedient and comes straight away when called, but is a bit too nimble to be held into our garden. What fun! Pippa rebelled today and refused to come out of the water when on her walk - she had to have a noose dangled around her to fetch her back in.

Yesterday B decided to go up to the attic to search for the dog guard for the car. Imagine his surprise when he couldn't open the attic hatch and found polystyrene balls falling down on him. It seems as if this job we got done before Christmas extended from the walls into the attic and we probably have huge quantities of polystyrene all over it. At the moment we can't even get in to see it. The guy who did the job is coming to explore it next week. The stuff in the attic isn't very valuable, but the water tank could do without having polystyrene filling it up.

So, another working week over. Tomorrow is school committee day. B is bringing the dogs down to Waterford so that Ian can meet Leavy and bring her for a run on the beach.

A mad-house

Have you ever been in a house with 3 dogs wagging their tails at you? Admittedly one of the tails is a bit on the small side, but it still makes the whole house seem small as they take up the lot of it. Two was plenty!!!

Anyway, welcome to Leavy. She is really sweet. It's strange to think that nobody wants a dog that is black. She has been in foster care for 6 months with noone prepared to take her, in spite of the fact that she is very good-natured and lovable. She moves on three legs as she had one damaged in an accident so it doesn't reach the ground fully, but she is very agile. The photo C has on her blog doesn't do her justice so we'll have to take some more to show her off well.

Pippa is very jealous and growling, but she will get over it. Goldie is just a bit confused. I was greeted this morning by evidence that Leavy hasn't been fully trained - 2 poos and numerous pees are just fine and dandy at 7am!!! She also has to learn how to travel in the back of the car (not jumping into the seats..).

I think that's plenty of news from mother.

Wood pellet boilers

As it takes about 3 months to have a wood pellet boiler delivered after you order it we need to decide fairly soon what we are going to do about it if it is to be installed during the summer. The current boiler shed is marginally too small to hold the boiler and hopper so we need to extend it. We also need a place to store pellets, or wood (we'll get a multi-fuel boiler so we're not tied to pellets). Should we put the new shed beside the current boiler shed, at right angles and out into the garden? While we are at it wouldn't it be nice to have a small greenhouse that could be at the south side of the new shed?

The other main option is to put a shed south of the current oil storage thing, where there is currently a not-very-successful flower bed that Goldie loves to dig up. Then a greenhouse would probably have to be free-standing, which would make it colder. I'd prefer it to have one brick wall on the north facing side of it. We also have to consider how to extend the current boiler house for the boiler and hopper - maybe we could extend it out a bit where its door currently is. It would be good not to have to re-do the electrics and pipe-work so we'd like to maintain its current position.

Also, how can we make the tarmac area that used to be for basketball into something more useful? It just gathers loads of moss at the moment.

Decisions, decision, decisions.....

And I pruned the pear trees (B reminded us that they are pear trees so don't produce prunes, but we ignored him) this morning. I also tried to remove some of the green stuff at the front of the house on our formerly nice white paint-work.

All is quiet in Castleconnell

It's Saturday and I have the place to myself at the moment. B has gone to the market, I is in bed, the dogs are sniffing around outside, and I am listening to the washing maching working away feverishly. It's a bit cold as the patio door is open to accommodate the dogs, but it's dry.

We have to go into town later to collect I's friend from the bus, and they intend to go to the cinema later. I've changed the sheets on C's bed ready for the guest - I wonder when that was last done??!!

Uh,oh, spoke too soon. The shower has started going and Goldie has come in to lie down and stare at me (lovingly?). On the plus side, the washing machine has finished working.

I'm looking at a photo that was on the front of the Irish Times motoring section this week. It shows a car hanging out of a parking block somewhere in Germany. The driver tried to reverse the car into its spot and allegedly mixed up the accelerator and brake pedals. Presumably this means that the reverse was accelerated instead of brakes put on. However, they must have been applied at great speed as half the car is out the window. Note how I have carefully avoided using he or she, as does the caption on the picture....

We've been wondering what Ians would like for 18th birthdays. It seems that the Ian living here doesn't have any wants and needs (except for an iphone, according to his blog). His father suggests this, though: http://www.boysstuff.co.uk/product.asp?id=13583&random=89214504&cid=38&subcat=&scid= . I suspect that is more a present for when he starts working. I hope everyone remembered to wish Spencer a happy 21st and helped him to celebrate it.

I'm thinking that the legs part of a track suit would be useful for yoga as jeans aren't very flexible, kinda like me. I'll have a look to see if Penney's has such a thing today. Maybe if I wear flexible leg things it will make me flexible - ever an optimist!

Next week is due to be busy early in the week. I have to go to Waterford for school meetings on Monday evening and then on to Cork for the day for meetings on Tuesday. Yoga is on Tuesday evening, and then home to normal life for the rest of the week.

I've just changed the tariff on my mobile phone as it appears I don't use 100 minutes, or anywhere near that, per month. I've dropped down to 30 minutes plus 100 text messages, which works out cheaper. I can change monthly if I want, though the new tariff doesn't apply until the end of February. I also get 50 minutes to phone a friend for free who is on the same network, but the sad thing is that I don't appear to have any friends on the network. I also just looked at the landline bill for this month and have discovered a new option. For an additional 7 euro per month we can phone landlines in UK and Ireland during the day for free, as well as in the off-peak times. That seems like a thing worth doing on at least one of the phones.

Anyway, to breakfast now. Muesli and bananas - yum!

Satisfying Saturday

This week seemed long as the general anaesthetic last week has left me with headaches when I feel the slightest bit tired or under stress. Today I woke up with a mighty one but have taken it easy and am much better this evening.

We went to the market this morning. The rain and wind meant many stall-holders weren't there so we didn't stay long. B got his car washed at the former Jennings filling station on Mulgrave Street and, after a quick stop at Superquinn, we headed home. I spent the afternoon making apple juice from the rapidly deteriorating apples we bought and were given before Christmas. I've just had a glass of it and it's very nice.

I've just done the depressing task of working out how little money I have. Final school fees have to be paid on 1st February - wow, the final instalment of 10 years worth of fees seems strange! Anyway, the head is still above the parapet in spite of losing 3+ months of earnings last year due to not working.

Ian says in his blog that he has tagged me. Does that mean I have to tell you some things you don't know about me? Don't you know everything you want to know? Can I escape from this....???

Yoga

Right - decision made. I've signed up for yoga classes on Tuesday evenings. They may not make me fit but at least I'll have to move and breathe a bit. That might prepare me for the summer when I'll cycle in to work.

I'm also going to go for a massage tomorrow evening with the yoga teacher. It's all go.

Goldie escaped today when a delivery man came to deliver a parcel to the wrong address and spent most of the day loose. He is dirtier than a pig. I've spread newspapers around the floor and he is lying on them so I hope they'll help to remove dirt and dampness.

Tomorrow is parent-teacher consultation day so b is heading to that. I'm hoping Ian might manage to ring me some day soon but the phones must be out of order still. I wonder did he have his annual hair cut today, as he intended?

My parents are heading to Egypt today for 2 weeks, and my sister and husband to Kenya. 5th February is the big birthday day at their house - my father will be 87, my brother 49, and his daughter 14 (I think).

Sunshine and a good night's sleep

It is a beautifully sunny day here, though cold. Sun makes a great difference to my spirits, though also causes all cobwebs and dirty spots in the house (and there are many) to be highlighted. However, I think I have an excuse this weekend to do very little so I'll just concentrate on the 2-week pile of ironing and doing a hoovering of the kitchen and living room.

I had a great sleep last night and it was hard to leave the bed this morning. As a result I had a lie in - to 10.30 - unheard of!

In, out, down and home again

It's been an eventful and long 36 hours. 8am yesterday saw me checking into hospital. The day ward is very new and clean and modern. I had to wait a long while before I was brought to the theatre but had lots of visits from various doctors and nurses all filling in forms, checking and double checking that I was who it said on the form and whether what was on the form was what I was really signed up for. By 10am I was knocked out for the count and remember waking up at about 12pm. The rest of the day was spent snoozing, though suffering a splitting headache.

B collected me at 6pm and it was fantastic to get out into the fresh, windy, air. They wouldn't win any awards for conservation in a hospital with the high level of heat!

This morning I went to a meeting in Waterford. I thought I'd be fine as I was being driven by someone else. However, my emotions seem to be affected by the anaesthetic and it really wasn't a good idea to go. Ian rescued me from a fraught meeting and let me cry on his shoulder and bought me some chocolate. Thank you, Ian!

On arriving home I decided to be sensible so have cried off going to a 50th birthday party for Jackie tonight. I think she was a bit annoyed so B is going on his own for the pre-dinner part of the occasion. I feel bad but I don't feel up to it, with that splitting headache not yet gone away.

Today's Irish Times magazine is a very interesting edition about energy and things green. It's well worth a read. Maybe it might even inspire me to grow veggies again this year.

Should I change the name?

I'm going to have to make a big decision soon. Should I change the name of my blog to reflect the reality? No blogs from C or I for some time, only the parents continue.....

It's pay and bonus review time of the year, not a time I enjoy as it involves lots of spreadsheets and hassling people to give me their recommendations. Tomorrow I have to present everything I have to the other managers and see where we go from there.

It's still wet here, though warm. That insulation we put in the house during December is really of benefit as I find myself turning off the heating during the evening, something I would never have done in the past.

Someone let Goldie out the gate today and he disappeared for a few hours. It's not clear who let him out as we had no visitors and no post. Maybe someone thought we were the doc's surgery and opened the gate. As a result, Goldie is exhausted. Pippa didn't wander away so she is her normal lively self.

It's op day on Friday. I'm a bit nervous as I don't want to have a general anaesthetic, but I've no choice - or do I? Saturday is Patron meeting day. It's likely to be controversial as I sent a letter to all members over Christmas bringing up various issues. I got a nice response from one of them today, but others will not be happy bunnies.

Hustlers

Have a look at this. We thought we had trouble with hustlers while in Havana, but at least we didn't get caught as much as Kugler. Have a look at Guardian travel from yesterday's paper. I wonder how he will get on at Isla de la Juventud this week.

Ian is packed for going back to school, Goldie is barking, Gay Byrne is nattering away on Lyric, and it is a generally lazy Sunday afternoon. We've just had a lovely mid-afternoon dinner. I've done some bread baking, a very relaxing occupation when it involves yeast and kneading dough. Now there is noone to eat the bread so I'm putting it in the freezer for later consumption.

We visited the office

Ian and I called into my work today and managed to see everything but my office. His impressions are: "it's big; impressive; wondiferlous". Lots of robotic arms were going backward and forward and small groups were in deep thought looking at machines that were apparently not working. The engineers had just solved a problem that had been giving them grief for 24 hours so they were hoping to get home in time to see "the match" on TV for the afternoon.

We won't, of course, mention yesterday evening's match played in Newport..... I suppose that Munster have to concede something at some stage in order to sharpen their new year form.

Happy new year

Back at work a week already, it's amazing how easy it is to get stuck back in after what was a lovely break. I've been suffering from a cold all week. It needs to go away before all my energy comes back. However, work was encouraging as the GM has been reading self-improving books over Christmas and is really taking them seriously in his campaign to make our company a great place to work. Change has to start at the top, so we're getting places.

This morning I have taken down the decorations on the Christmas tree and any other sundry Christmas bits and pieces that were around the house. That definitely marks the end of the season. Ian goes back to school tomorrow so we will be back to just two of us and the dogs.

Pauline's party for women only is today. She has an open house all day to raise money for Adapt House, a women's refuge. I'm not sure when I'll go over, but probably this evening for a while.