Ireland.

I'm still here and as the weather has gotten worse the last day, it's probably about time I wrote a post. Even if brief.

What have I done with myself?

Firstly, enjoyed the craic. As you do when in Ireland.
I've been for a good ol' ball and chalk round town. Also enjoyed a nice one out of town toward some wind farms. The countryside in Ireland cannot be beat. It also has some of the cleanest air of anywhere I've been. Love it.

Had a round of golf thew first day here and got a little sunburned. It was really that hot, quite unusual for this part of the world.

I've also been indulging in eating plenty of food. Yum yum yum... It's my holiday and I'm allowed.

This particular town has also finally gotten it's own Indian restaurant. To which I've heard some of the locals say various things.

"I've never eaten Indian food before."

"I don't think I'll have any, it's too spicy."

"It'll be better than the Chinese."

To me though, as a London lemon squeezer, it's old hat. I love a good Indian. I love a good anything. We are fortunate to have it all. Well, a great deal of what the world has to offer.

Yesterday I went out with me mates bird. No, not that "out" just enjoying the craic, which meant sitting at the pub drinking. I was reasonably sozzled after 5 pints. Thought I might lose my dinner because of it, but I didn't. I've not been out drinking like that for ages.
One of the things that is immediately apparent to me as an outsider to these parts is how many people know each other here. I walk out the door with me mate and you'll stop at least a half dozen times to talk to people you know. That never happens in London. Never. You just stare at your feet and if someone does talk to you, they either want money or their a bit mad. But that's London.

One of the other interesting things is how quickly you discover the dislike of the English round these parts. In almost every other thing they say, it's a dig at the English.

"Can you spare us a fiver for a drink?" Some one will ask.

Replying, half jokingly a gentleman from the south said "I don't have any of the Queens money, I use euros".

It's interesting. Although something I'm used too, I lived and worked with a large man from Cork for two years. "English pricks" he'd say with utmost affection.
I miss the old boy I do.

Although, I often feel that the Irish like a bit of a scrap and they say these things, half because they really don't like the English and half because they want to have a bit of ruff an tumble. You've just got to chuck it back in a good sport kinda way. But those are merely my observations.

I would love to travel Ireland and see if there's a place here that I would feel comfortable moving too. It really is a lovely place and I do love the people. Genuinely friendly and welcoming, even to those they can't stand. Which says buckets I think.

It's a grand place, sure. Great craic.

I might even be out drinking again tomorrow with my mates bird. Although that would depend on her now. But she's Irish so likes a drink. So do I, my time in China saw to that indeed.

Anyway, ciao a tutti.