Ireland continues

Knowth

Where have I been? I finally worked out how to get to Newgrange and made it up there. It is a fantastic Neolithic Monument, built 1000 years before Stonehenge. The race of people who built it were just fantastic, so advanced, and the way they could get things so accurate and the detail they put into the carvings were amazing. There are actually 3 main areas at Newgrange, Newgrange itself, Knowth, which is larger, and a lot more orante as well as having a lot more mounds, and Douth which there is no access too.

Then went down to Waterford to meet some friends. It is such a little country town, you can walk from one end to the other in about 10 minutes. Then down to Cork, Irelands second largest city, and again amazingly like a tiny country town. It took about 10 minutes to walk from the centre into the "suburbs", which are absolutely amazing. Tiny little walkways, with the most amazing terrace housing-I am in love hopefully photos soon. Then back to Waterford for the night, and out to a pub to see some live music.

Today I went to Waterford Crystal, and then back to the pub this afternoon to watch the semies of Hurling, which has much the same status as what AFL does in Melbourne. Tomorrow its up to Belfast, and hopefully the Giants Causeway.

I'm in Ireland

Ha'penny bridge

Dublin street

Dublin Castle

Just a quick post, as the internet is being a pain, and may decide to kick me off!

After a frantic last week, with lovely farewells everyday-thank you everyone I felt very special, I finally finished everything that had to be done before I left. It did mean a long Sunday night, and an early Monday morning finishing university applications, and my final assignment, but I got there.

After a quick shift at work on Monday I packed my bags, jumped in the car to my grandma's for dinner with the family and then was wisked off to the airport for my flight.

A very long almost 2 days later (4 flights, a quick trip in london to drop my bag off at a workmates brothers place for storage, and a night spent sleepig at the airport) I made it to Dublin. Somewhat jetlagged, I spent yesterday exploring the city, saw the Book of Kells at Trinity College, then went to the a museum.

Today, still somewhat tired, I explored further in the wonderful city of Dublin. Kilmainham Goal, more museums (I can now say that I am not a fan of modern art!), another library (I obviously dont spend enough time in them when I'm at home), and some random wandering later, I am now ready for a good nights sleep.

Hopefully tomorrow off to Newgrange before I head south to Waterford.

1 week......

Ahhhhh how exciting, only one week to go. I have bought my camera, mmm a lovely canon SLR, injections are now finished, been to the dentist, the hair is cut short (so much easier to manage, and hey it will grow back!), still plugging away on assignments, tax return to do, uni applications to do, packing to do, sooo many farewell lunches/morning teas/afternoon teas to go to.

There is nothing like a good bit of stress to make you look forward to a nice holiday to calm the nerves.

Going away party/25th Birthday

Seeing as I am going away for several months, and I managed to achieve the milestone of 25 years, I decided to have a party to celebrate, and to see friends and family before I left.

I also had a rather large bottle of wine from the year I was born which needed to be drunk before it turned into vinegare. From all accounts from those who drink and enjoy red wine, it was a lovely bottle.

Thank-you very much to everyone who came to wish me well, I hope you all had a good night, I enjoyed it very much.

Going, Going......

No not gone yet, but the hair has. I decided that it would be nice to go overseas with short hair, as there is less chance of it being ripped off by a lion that way (well thats my excuse and I'm sticking to it), and it will be easier to manage. So I took the plunge, visited the hairdresses and got all my hair chopped off. The first cut is the hardest, after that there is no turning back, and nice and easy!

2 weeks....

The anticipation is now growing, 2 weeks, and I will be on my adventure!

Accommodation in Ireland and London is now booked-at least I now have somewhere to stay! The list of possible places to visit continues to grow. Camera is organized.

Dare I say so, but things are finally falling into place! As they say famous last words!!

3 weeks....

Where does the time go!?!?!?! 3 weeks left, 2 Monday night shifts, 3 Tuesday night shifts, 3 Thursday nights and 3 Friday nights, thats only 11 nights left to work-how very exciting! Vaccines are now complete, pending a blood test which will tell if I need one last rabies shot somewhere in Europe, fingers crossed I dont. Must buy a camera soon, and the lens to go with it, hopefully next week, then I can play with it before I leave. Complete the last couple of assignments, and then think about packing. All I need is time!!!

4 weeks........

Eeeek, Yay!!!!!!! I have reached the 4 weeks to departure. Yes it is kinda exciting, kinda scary, coming very quickly, and very exciting. It is always so amazing how many things there are to be dont before you go away. I am slowly getting organized, still have some study to do, I really should finish that soon so I know I have passed before I go away, more injections, doctors appointments, packing, organizing, sorting out of affairs (yes there is a chance I may get eaten/shredded/torn apart or otherwise killed).

5 weeks.....

So time is getting shorter, departure is getting closer, the excitement is growing, but so is the stress. Lots of things still need to be done, although the list seems to have stopped growing, at least for the time being anyway!!!!! Injections are halfway through, one assignment is finished and more are started.

6 weeks....

So things are starting to come together, I have almost finished 2 assignments (only 4 or so to go), started with immunizations (changing gears while driving is now optional, or very painful), we have travel insurance and just need to send off a check to Europe, and the 3 months in Africa is paid for!!!! The list of thing to be done is still unending, time is still flying, but the excitement is building and the light is visible at the end of the tunnel. Ready or not, in 6 weeks I fly out!!!1