Ireland, life in the slow lane

Gosh it seems everything here is moving far too fast! We have just returned from a week at our friends cottage in Southern Ireland, Kerry to be exact.

It was typically Irish.................
some rain showers, some sunshine and lots of good 'craic'.

It is such a friendly country, everyone always make time to stop and have a good chat.
The scenery is beautiful and there is so much of it! Its all so wonderfully green! Truly 40 shades of green.The pace of life is fabulous.

Sitting in the cottage one night with our friends, we were playing cards and it was around 11.15pm when there was a knock at the door! Now at home we would all look at each other and wonder what the heck was wrong if there was a knock at the door at that time of night! But no! In Ireland people come calling that late. It was the neighbour from up the road popping by to say Hi. She stayed and chatted and 4 wee drams and 3 hours later she left.

A night or two after that we were planning on visiting a local pub to watch the Irish set dancing. This is not at all 'Riverdance' style, but the old style set dancing to an Irish Ceilidh band. Its dance with a partner in sets of 4 couples, fast and furious, its so entertaining to watch. Well we didnt go out till 10 o clock at night, we had a drink or two and a bit of a 'craic'.
The dancing carried on until well after 12.30 and then the singing started. Wow, they sing about anything over there, some melancholy songs, some happy songs, some political songs, some true life songs but all sang with feeling. Anyone in the pub could sing, its not anything formal. We finally left there after 2.30 in the morning! A fabulous, never to be forgotten night of friendship, fun, laughter and music.

The speed of life is so very different, everyone has time for everyone else. Whether you just pop into a little local shop, the supermarket or retaurant, it doesnt matter, everyone is polite, and interested in you! What a wonderful way of life.

It truly is Earths Heaven! I shall miss it, but shall return again and again.

Driving is not enjoyable!

Since my husband had a bad few weeks of sciatica, I have driven 99% of our journeys. Its been hell. Why don't I enjoy driving so much? Well I guess its because on this tiny island the amount of cars seemed to have doubled in the last year. The amount of young 17 year old new crazy drivers in their racy cars has definitely trebled! and the amount of very old drivers who go terribly slow has doubled. Driving is no fun any more.

Even with driving holidays, the very essence of English life since the 50's. Nowadays its so busy and no pleasure.Even taking holidays during term time the motorways are so congested and the lesser roads are almost at a standstill. Am I getting old? Maybe! Am I becoming a grumpy old woman? Probably!

My daughter and her husband are currently in Europe travelling around with their band for the summer. They enjoy all the driving, I just couldnt do that!
Driving for long distances is no pleasure for me. Especially on the 'wrong' side of the road.

I think I should have been born into a rich family and then I could have a chauffeur! Now thats a thought! I shall keep buying a lottery ticket, you just never know!

My BUG of the week!

I am so mad! Just been to a shop to buy something and the sales assistant called me ‘Dear’
EEErrrggghh

I hate that! It makes me cross.
‘Dear’ is a loving word. It can prefix Wife, Mum, Sister, Daughter or Friend BUT NOT used by someone that doesn’t know me and is just giving me my change in a shop or speaking to me regarding my purchase!

The other thing I cant stand is when the assistant calls me 'Love'. Often used when handing your goods to you. I could scream!

Love is a feeling, an emotion, or a term of endearment. It is not for strangers to call me by!

These are the words used by my Grandmother when I was a child, by my Mother as I grew up and became an adult and are used by my husband.

They are not for shop staff to use when serving a customer. Its far too personal. They should not presume its ok. Its time the employers know this.

In the UK there is not enough training of staff. Shops, bars, restaurants, public transport and services all need to put their staff on training courses before the staff are let loose on the public, just as they do in USA.

A person should not just apply for a job, be accepted onto the staff of that company and then thrown in the deep end without proper training in customer relations and how to deal with people, especially if its a public service job.

Some people may think that a parting word by the Americans such as ‘Have a nice day’ or You’re welcome’ as gushy, or over the top but I would far rather have that than someone calling me ‘Dear’

And thats my moan for this week

Lupins

These Fabulous Lupins were on display at The Chelsea Flower show. These are one of Dons favourite flowers and we never seem to be able to grow them. Guess the soil round here is not suitable.

Its a mad world

Once again I am absolutely amazed at the rules that are being enforced in this country. No other European country things to this level of idiocy, but the UK....OH YES...follow it to the letter of the law! Its beuocracy gone mad!

So the latest saga...........

Part of the heart of England has always been the school fetes, the scouts summer fun days, the village fetes, the church garden parties, the WI coffee mornings and many more. Its part of the classic British life. Its a chance for everyone involved with the organisation or village to come together and help raise funds for local causes.

The Mums and Grandmas make jam, pickles, cakes etc. Dads and Grandads can show and then sell their home grown vegetables, fruit etc.
There are stalls with games on for everyone to 'have a go!' A coconut shy where you can throw a ball to hit the coconut and take it home! Great harmless fun! Some villages even have a dog show.
Its all terribly British and fun.

Now the latest information in the newspapers are that the powers that be may have to stop all this because of the...........wait for it...............Health and Safety act!!
Why? Well someone might just make a cake or some jam without following the laws on hygiene in their kitchens! What a load of old tosh!

These fetes and the like are a wonderful community event that raise money for their cause, give people the chance to meet, make new friends and give huge enjoyment for all. They are usually a once a year event which most people look forward to. and plan for months ahead Most of the organisers are hugely sensible and take precautions for general safety.

Why do the government, councils and powers that be think they have the right to take away part of our history. There has always been church fetes, summer fairs, coffee mornings.

These over zealous officials who appear to have nothing else to do but sit in their offices and think of something that 'could' happen and then say 'Well we better ban that then!'

For goodness sake, when will they be human beings, live and let live!
They are killing off small town and village life! With all the red tape days, these events disappear.
We all survived on home made cakes, bread, jam and lemonade and had great fun along the way.

Here we go then

Well here we go with my first attempt. After a couple of false starts I got the hang of most of it. It sure takes time!
However I am pleased with it so far.
This is to be my platform for airing my views, publishing my achievements and generally boasting if I feel like it. I can moan as much as I like if I have a mind to! Not that I do moan very much as my life is wonderful.
My darling husband is a professional magician and has been for over 30 years. He is very very good and although officially retired now, still 'plays' magic. He still practises daily, attends lectures and is always learning. He still does gigs and thoroughly enjoys himself at work. He is one of the lucky ones whose hobby is his work. We have had a great life from magic and made some wonderful friends.
I help out at a childrens dancing school. Its the one my daughter trained at and the best locally. I help with all the paperwork side of things. I love to watch the children when they perform in their shows.
In between all this excitement at home, I also find time to make a few cards, but mostly I scrap book. I am on my 5th book now of 12 x 12 layouts. I just love it. I go to classes roughly once a month and we have a chat and scrap with wonderful layouts. I also keep a scrap book 8 x 11 which is filled with pages from my dearest sisters in America.
America I hear you say? Well thats a story for another day.......................