The End of Care Freeness

Having only worked eight days of paid employment since the 22nd of November tomorrow is going to come as a massive shock, as I start my new job teaching in West London for the next 12 or so weeks. It's a far cry from the last time teaching when taking school camp in Putara Valley, which was an awesome experience. However the holiday of the last 5 months can not continue forever, although it would be good if it could.

A Night Out

Chilling out with Bryce and Kelvin.

The new pad on Greenford Ave

Check out the pics of our new place on Greenford Ave that we are sharing with 2 other english fellas and a guy from Finland. This is where we will be calling home till the end of July. The kitchen looking clean from this view, luckily you can't see behind the camera!!! The view from the couch to the TV and the backyard, the kitchen is around to the left, open plan style. Aaaah the backyard, bring on summer and cider! And finally the couch where many a Sunday afternoon will be spent. This is the first sunday spent on the couch, watching IPL and Two and a half men, while chomping down on some Murray's Mints and Coca Cola. Next Sunday it might have to be some NRL and crackers and camembert or brie.

The Shamrocker Celtic 5 Day Tour Route

Here is a map that shows a basic guide of our tour.

Shamrocker Tour Day 5: Killarney to Dublin

The last day of our tour, on the way from Killarney to Dublin. Today we are all about the Blarney Stone and some special caves in Mitchelstown. They hold concerts in the caves as it has a natural stage and audience area. We werent able to take photos of the caves but there are plenty of Blarney Castle to view. We kissed the Blarney Stone, the man that holds you as you do this, works for free, but you can tell he enjoys his job as he mutters: oh, youre a lovely lady, lovely lady under his breath, a little creepy but so irish that you have to laugh. He didnt say much when it came to niges turn, it was all business.

Shamrocker Tour Day 4: Doolin to Killarney

Day 4 of the tour and we were heading away from the tiny Doolin in stunning county Clare to the big city lights of Killarney in county Kerry. By now I was not very well, but the people on the bus were great and looked after me. The highlights of this day were crossing the River Shannon by ferry, (it was not a glamorous experience - a muddy river, plastic bench seats, but we can say we have been on the mighty shannon now). We also saw more amazing coastal views along Dingle Bay, including the Sleeping Giant island and the Three Sisters islands. At this point we are at the most western point of Ireland and the furtherest away from NZ we will ever be. Here is the Sleeping Giant island and below, the Three Sisters (3 cone like islands in the background). Legend is, that if Ireland is ever in trouble the Giant will wake and save them. Cute dogs that went mad for attention up on the rocks. Some nice scenery Here are heaps of rock walls that the irish were paid to make in order to have money to buy food during the potato famine. They go for miles. These beehives were homes for people roughly around 4000 years ago. Drafty... Getting ready in Killarney to go out for dinner, then listen to a traditional irish storyteller. This is Nige and me and Andrea and Bree, our roomies and bus buddies.

Shamrocker Tour Day 3: Galway to Doolin

On our third day we left Galway to head towards Doolin in county Clare. We hopped on the bus and people were beginning to look weary from the night before. We had a spectacular day of scenery and new experiences, such as fairy rings and tombs. Nigel's highlight from Doolin was playing poker with the 'locals.' Our first stop was at another ruin. The church was built in memory of a son who died at 21. Here is a photo of the church wall. If you look carefully you can see an outline of a boat. This was etched in the stone wall about 300 years ago. Tagging in its hey day! We then went off to see Pol na Brone Dolmen (a portal tomb, 5000yrs old) in the Burren area, county Clare. Note the limestone everywhere. The big rock is called the Rock of Clare. Very rocky! We stopped in a small town to buy lunch for a beach picnic later on. I had to throw in the boat photo for dad, we were told to look out for the 'hookers' which was the fishing boats. Nige also wanted this photo up. Interesting, if you drive over the edge, you will end up in the water. There are two words that some up this sign: Feckin ejjit! We stopped here before lunch to walk around a fairyring and make a wish. If the fairies like you, they may grant your wish. If not, the opposite will happen. Considering I got food poisoning that night, maybe they didnt like me??? It could have been Nigel's fault though, as he decided to walk right through the centre of the ring, not around the outside as advised. The rest of the trip, Nige was blamed for bad weather and events. Here is a beach we stopped at for a picnic lunch. Beautiful, sunny weather. The Cliffs of Moher in county Clare were breathtaking. My favourite place in Ireland. There is a castle perched on the top .