Yesterday we had a visit from Cara LoFaro and her boyfriend, Kevin, who is Irish. They were very easy visitors, and it was a pleasure to chat with them. It was very cold outside so we had a nice fire, and b cooked a meal that went down very well for us all. Cara and Kevin hope to visit Dublin and stay with my parents within the next few days. It really was nice to see them.
Ian rang, and that was very exciting. He seems to have got to work very quickly and had his first teaching class yesterday. We're longing to hear more, so will try to ring him today again. We're signed up to Skype calls so will see whether that works in getting a cheaper method to ring him.
It snowed in Limerick (and elsewhere) today. I had to head to Cork early in the morning, but luckily it was not wet at that stage so I had an uneventful journey even though it was -2 degrees most of the time.
Friday 4 January 2008
Wednesday 2 January 2008
Back to work
Well, the holiday is over and it is back to work for us all today. Lots of "Happy New Year" was said today, and comments about the Christmas break. Some had over-indulged and others just had a quiet time. Now it's back with a bang, with the FDA inspection starting in less than 2 weeks. What fun!
Carolan brought the dogs for 2 walks today. Maeve and she were intending to go for a walk with some other friends at 11.30am, but the other friends weren't ready. Carolan had already put leads on the dogs so felt obliged to bring them out. Later the other friends were ready so she brought them for another walk. They are being well looked after. As a result they haven't even moved from the sofa to come and say hello to me since I came into the house.
Dad has spent the day searching the archives of the Limerick Civic Museum via the www. He is searching via 'sand', 'Plassey', 'canal' and 'barge' so far, and will add in searches for names of barges as he progresses. He is currently cooking and says I have a choice of garlic soup or garlic soup for my dinner. There is always the option of eggs, so I wonder whether I should get cooking!
It's been dark here for a couple of hours now. I wonder whether Ian has managed to take photos of the darkness gathering in Ghana yet for Carolan??!!
Carolan brought the dogs for 2 walks today. Maeve and she were intending to go for a walk with some other friends at 11.30am, but the other friends weren't ready. Carolan had already put leads on the dogs so felt obliged to bring them out. Later the other friends were ready so she brought them for another walk. They are being well looked after. As a result they haven't even moved from the sofa to come and say hello to me since I came into the house.
Dad has spent the day searching the archives of the Limerick Civic Museum via the www. He is searching via 'sand', 'Plassey', 'canal' and 'barge' so far, and will add in searches for names of barges as he progresses. He is currently cooking and says I have a choice of garlic soup or garlic soup for my dinner. There is always the option of eggs, so I wonder whether I should get cooking!
It's been dark here for a couple of hours now. I wonder whether Ian has managed to take photos of the darkness gathering in Ghana yet for Carolan??!!
Tuesday 1 January 2008
He is on his way
Ian should nearly be in Ghana by now, while we are about to eat a dinner of rice and chicken. We have checked it out and discovered that the time in Ghana is exactly the same as the time here.
Carolan and I had intended to visit the Avoca shop on the Naas Road after we left him at the airport but were disappointed to discover that it wasn't due to open until 12 o'clock, so we decided to head on home. The day was very disappointing from a shopping point of view - even our trip to the Crescent Shopping Centre in the afternoon was unsuccessful, with all doors closed.
We managed to buy breakfast rolls in the petrol station in Roscrea that is near the McDonalds outlet. The normal stopping place in Mountrath didn't have anything to offer, and had even increased the price of petrol and diesel by 8c since we visited yesterday.
The only shop open today that was worth visiting was Atlantic Homecare. There we were wowed with the delights of dog kennels with under-floor heating, and special shaving kits for dogs. Just imagine! Anyway, we bought child latches for the kitchen cupboards to stop the dogs getting into them, and also some bits for the fire - a shovel for coal, and yoke to collect the ashes. We also bought a new clothes airer that has a lot more space, and is a lot lighter, than our current one.
Dad didn't get to sleep until 4 am last night due to New Year celebrations (by others, you will understand) and the disturbance of dogs, so he was tired when we arrived home, and spent some of this afternoon sleeping. Mind you, he found time last night to purloin a bottle of beer not consumed by Ian. I'm in trouble for using Ian's rooms to air clothes, and Carolan has been using his lap-top, so you see what happens when his back is turned.
I'm intending to watch Dara O'Briain on the sequel to "Three Men and a dog" this evening so will report on that tomorrow. Unfortunately work beckons tomorrow - what sorrow - but I've had a good break so it isn't so bad.
Bye for now.
Carolan and I had intended to visit the Avoca shop on the Naas Road after we left him at the airport but were disappointed to discover that it wasn't due to open until 12 o'clock, so we decided to head on home. The day was very disappointing from a shopping point of view - even our trip to the Crescent Shopping Centre in the afternoon was unsuccessful, with all doors closed.
We managed to buy breakfast rolls in the petrol station in Roscrea that is near the McDonalds outlet. The normal stopping place in Mountrath didn't have anything to offer, and had even increased the price of petrol and diesel by 8c since we visited yesterday.
The only shop open today that was worth visiting was Atlantic Homecare. There we were wowed with the delights of dog kennels with under-floor heating, and special shaving kits for dogs. Just imagine! Anyway, we bought child latches for the kitchen cupboards to stop the dogs getting into them, and also some bits for the fire - a shovel for coal, and yoke to collect the ashes. We also bought a new clothes airer that has a lot more space, and is a lot lighter, than our current one.
Dad didn't get to sleep until 4 am last night due to New Year celebrations (by others, you will understand) and the disturbance of dogs, so he was tired when we arrived home, and spent some of this afternoon sleeping. Mind you, he found time last night to purloin a bottle of beer not consumed by Ian. I'm in trouble for using Ian's rooms to air clothes, and Carolan has been using his lap-top, so you see what happens when his back is turned.
I'm intending to watch Dara O'Briain on the sequel to "Three Men and a dog" this evening so will report on that tomorrow. Unfortunately work beckons tomorrow - what sorrow - but I've had a good break so it isn't so bad.
Bye for now.
Monday 31 December 2007
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.
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.
Sunday 30 December 2007
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.
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.
Sunday 9 December 2007
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!
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!
Saturday 17 November 2007
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.
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