Galway wedding

I'm in Galway today, in a little village called Labane, in a little Catholic Church, celebrating the wedding of my friend, Emma.  It is supposed to start at 1300, but with only a few people here so far, at 1259, I presume it is running on Irish time.

The church is quite pretty:

 

And I'm not sure that I've ever been in a Catholic Church before.  

I'm unsure of what is involved in a catholic wedding, but I guess I'm about to find out.  If there are any actions required, I shall copy those around me.

The drive over here this morning was pleasant, although I did feel horribly sleepy during the last hour.  I tried calling home, but nobody wanted to talk to me, so I kept awake by thumping my legs and squirting water on my face from my water bottle - and singing loudly and dischordantly along with the radio... 

Once at the hotel, there was no room at the inn before the ceremony so I changed in the bathroom and will check in before the reception.  Thankfully the reception is at the hotel I am staying in.

Tomorrow, I will probably drive around a bit to visit Galway, before driving home in the late afternoon/early evening, as Monday morning, bright and early, my brother and I head off to England.

It's been a busy trip so far ! 

Ireland day 1

Here I am, in Ireland, and so far it has been warm and sunny and ever so pleasant.  In fact, given my experience so far, I would move back in a heartbeat.  However, I have to remind myself that this is a rarity - it does rain 95% of the year...

I woke up gloriously early yesterday to see the dawn view of the Wicklow mountains.

 

The window reflected rather badly though.

Day 1 in this superbly green country was lovely.  I got up nice and early (unlike anyone else because apparently people sleep a lot over here).  I spent a lot of time researching laptops (not finished yet) and did a tour of the grounds... Just in case I forgot where everything was (it hadn't moved) and Ruben enthusiastically gave me a tour of the goats.

 

 

We also drove into Naas so that I could buy a SIM card, and Tesco refused to sell me alcohol with my Aussie license saying it was "against store policy but I should go to O'Briens because they would allow it."  And then refused to let my friend buy it either because she could be buying it for the hideous foreigner she was accompanied by.

In the evening we had present-opening and thankfully all of the nieces were enamoured by their presents.

 

(HH in all its glory)

I am, however, definitely missing the small dog.

Happenings

I almost upgraded myself to business class on the first 15h flight home.  I've been considering it for days, just spend the money and get some sleep, the insidious voice inside me said.

Then of course, this morning, my washing machine decided that its door didn't want to close any more - so I did what I did last time, and fiddled around in its latch with a screwdriver, except that this time it said no, and no, thanks, and I'm just going to break entirely, and that was that. 

So now I'm sitting in the laundromat, watching my duvet cover go round and round and round - I had to complete the process as it got wet and soapy - and considering the inevitable, which is to buy a new washing machine.  I did get the last one from a friend for fifty bucks so I can't really complain too loudly.

 

The packing is very almost finished, I have a little last minute shopping, as my very needy mother needs some Japanese tape (?) and I need snacks for the trip (I don't eat airline food).

I'm enjoying my last couple of days with Lily.  She got a professional haircut yesterday to last her the time that I'm away, and now she looks naked.  And of course very unimpressed by the bows they put in her hair.

Last night I met up with a couple of friends and we walked along the shoreline in Brighton, myself, two friends with a dog each, and a friend with a snake, as he said he felt left out as everybody else was bringing a pet.

I swapped Lily for the snake.

 

 

 (It's head was slithering over my shoulder - a bid for escape?)

But then Lily started crying so I gave in and swapped back.

It was a very cool snake.  I've never held a snake before and it was much warmer and fleshy than I expected it to be.

Then we went to a fish and chip shop and had a very nice dinner of cod and chips - if anyone wants to visit me, I'd be happy to take you to Brighton for fish and chips.

Today I am on reserve, and it's my last day before five weeks' leave, and I haven't got a call yet, and that's awesome, because I'm in holiday mode (chocolate for breakfast, yay!) and I now need to go buy a washing machine...

The packing has started

The packing (and therefore the shopping) has started... And the countdown is on.

I'm not sure that Lily approves.

 

One week and two days until I leave for Ireland.  It is getting almost horrifically close and I feel very disorganised.

I have organised accomodation for the dog, although I'm not sure how I feel about five weeks without her.  I also have just one more overnight rostered before I leave.  I then have have two lunch dates, a coffee date, an engagement party, plenty of shopping and of course the inevitable packing.

What was I thinking?  

Thankfully, everything seems to be underway for the new house, although I am still waiting for covenant approval (to ensure the house meets the developers' guidelines).  I have chosen all my colours and tiles - oh the stress of wondering whether I (lowly me) made the right choices!

I'm currently on an overnight, writing a list of Things Future Kate Needs To Do, like travel insurance, and wondering how much procrastination I can get away with before having to get it done!

My flight leaves in the evening of the 17th, so I will hopefully drop Lily off late afternoon and then probably catch my very first uber to the airport: exciting!  

For now... I will continue the list writing and procrastinating... And see how I go.

Lots of Flying

 

Today is day three of a four day trip and I'm ready to go home.  However , the sunset as we entered the circuit made it almost worth it ! 

Quick Update

I'm currently sitting in my friend's house waiting for her to finish work - not entirely alone because I have the company of Skittles, Taco, Oreo and Parrot (two dogs and two cats).  I had a short nap, terminated by Skittles deciding it was a good idea to bark insanely at nothing in particular : for two hours.  Well done, Skittles.

I feel quite animal-centric at the moment, having looked after my dog-sitter's dog on Tuesday, and J's dog on Thursday: much to the detriment of my floors and the annoyance of Lily! 

In other news, my dishwasher has broken - meaning I have a dishwasher full of dirty (and potentially putrid) dishes waiting for me to get back from my four-day trip - I noticed it hadn't run (second attempt) about 2 minutes before having to head out of the door, so no chance to clean them by hand! 

In other other news, my July/August roster has been published and I officially am on Annual Leave!  It feels ever so close to be actually on the roster.  I have just over two weeks to go, and plenty to do (including plenty of Lily cuddling) in that time.