A Canadian in Ireland

Yesterday, as I was coming out of the pharmacy in Freshford I noticed the older couple parked in front of me was having car trouble. I sounded like they needed a jump start and since I carry cables I offered to help them out.

So I hooked everything up and we gave it a try, but all I succeeded in doing was draining my own battery so we were both stranded.

On to Plan B, I rang the auto-rescue and they sent out a mechanic though it took the bones of an hour. Thankfully there was no permanent damage to either my car or the other couple's and we were both on the road after a minute. Still, it threw my whole day out of whack and I only got done half what I wanted to when I finally got to Kilkenny.

I did get to see the Santa Claus parade but only because I got stuck behind it which only made me later. But I mustn't gripe too much. I got the essentials done. The rest can wait until next weekend.

In the meantime I may re-read my owner's manual and make sure I know what I'm doing for the next time.

Hello,

Once again I feel I have to apologise for not being around as much as I would like. As usual college is keeping me busy. But it's reading week and a long weekend to boot so I have a little (too little really ) time.

And what does a Canadian in Ireland do when he has some time off and it's the October Bank Holiday?

He goes to the Conker Festival of course.

Held in Freshford

The chestnuts for the competition are provided by 52 Horse Chestnut trees that surround the village green, which produce 30,000 conkers.

Here's some of them.

I'm sure you're wondering what exactly conkers are at this point. Luckily, but not surprisingly, Wikipedia has an article.

A couple of competitors



Aside from the championship there were other games


And crafts


These lads

started a mini-company selling slate crafts as part of their transition year.

The Kilkenny Flower Club were exhibiting in St. Lachtain's Church

which is famous for its 12th century carved sandstone entry.

A good day out, aside from the weather. Tomorrow? Back to the grind.

It' Arthur's Day

Originally posted by wikipedia:

Guinness drinkers are expected to raise a glass to the memory of Arthur Guinness

So, any plans for 1759?

Ireland



We've been in the grips of an hard stretch of winter weather with nearly a week of daily snow falls. Most unusually it hasn't been melting, but has just hung around getting deeper.





It has caused major disruption all over the east of the country, particularly transportation - roads and Dublin airport being the most prominent. The worst, personally, has been the roads. Last week it was snowing every morning when I woke up and I had to crawl down the back lanes where I live to reach a major road to get to college.





It finally broke on Friday, which I had off, and yesterday was clear though the roads were only half thawed and very slippery.

This morning the snows came again. At least it's melting on the same day.





For the minute it's clear, though there may be more snow in the morning. I'll keep you posted.

The wren, the wren, the king of all birds,
St. Stephen's Day was caught in the furze,
Although he was little his honour was great,
Jump up me lads and give us a treat.
Up with the kettle and down with the pan,
And give us a penny to bury the wren.

The 26th is St. Stephen's Day in Ireland. Traditionally a day to go hunt the Wren.

Our family tradition is to do the charity walk in Gattabawn.



It was a good day for it, dry and quite mild. Though with all the wet weather some parts of the trail were very boggy. As I learned when I ended up to my knees in a bog.



Not the end of the world, I was practically dried out by the time we got back.

On the route we passed by this ruin which apparently was an old hotel. Back at the turn of the last century there was a mineral spa here.



So after three hours and roughly 9 miles we made it back for a cup of hot soup. I don't' know much about this car beyond that it was parked up in the yard of the pub.



And on the way home we passed by this old castle - note the rather precarious looking piece of wall wedged at the top.



Oh and there was no sign of the wren.

when Kilkenny won the All-Ireland.

But I never expected this*.

Small, and mad, world eh?

*Who is Noel Hickey anyway?

My new sister sent me this in an email. She thought I'd be the first to reply so I got right at my answers. While I was filling it in I decided I'd post it all up here.

Read more...

What have we here?

Read more...

So said Aristotle

Read more...

But I can't find a way to stop people voting in the poll so I'll just have to ask you nicely not to.

My hand was really hurting all last night and I just couldn't stand it anymore, so I rang the hospital this morning and they told me to come back to A & E.

The doctor had a look, and then





he cut it off.

No, not my hand, the cast.

I'm in a sort of fabric splint now. Still sore, but better than it was. Hopefully I can get back to school tomorrow.