Project

I’m realising that my project is close being due for submission. I only have about a month left and I still haven’t finished. I’m not too worried as I think I can devote lots of time to it now, but it’s still going to be not quite as thorough as I had hoped initially.

I’m thinking that the PhD might have to wait for another year. I don’t feel that I have either the idea fully formed enough to apply to the best places nor the financial stability to take three years out of work. It will depend on what happens to Christina and me in the next few months. Christina heard today that she might pick up a contract at C&W! That would be interesting.

I hope to find the inspiration to get the project finished properly and written up well enough that I can hope to have a paper published from it. I think the idea deserves it, but I need to push it in the right direction.

Ireland

We have just returned from a wonderful trip to Ireland last week. We drove to Bristol on Sunday night and then to Fishgard on the Monday morning. Across the sea to Rosslare and then three hours drive to Limerick later we were in Lorraine's and Ivan’s with their lovely children Art and Louise. We spent a fantastic few days with them ; had a great boat ride on Lough Derg, met my uncle and visited family graves I have never seen before and also had time to drive up to Spanish Point and the Cliffs of Moher on the Clare coast.

We then travelled over to Dublin to see Lisa and Mal and had a splendid day with them in Sandymount. Had a few pints in O’Reilly’s bar in Sandymount and generally enjoyed Dublin’s south side. After that we sailed back to Holyhead, over to spend a night with Julia and Mike and then back via lunch with Mum and Dave in Doncaster.

The weather throughout has been astounding. Sunny every day and warm too.

All in all it was a great trip. The boys had a super time on boats, at the beach and just hanging out. We enjoyed seeing friends and also I was especially moved to meet up with uncle Peter and see the family connections in Limerick.

I hope we will make Ireland a regular visit since it’s close enough and a truly beautiful country.

I even hope to pick up some Irish – at least enough to be able to pronounce Laois properly!