2nd day back at work after just over a week off. Yesterday was rather manic, pretty much every system we look after broke in some way or other. Today was much more reasonable which meant I could go on a days training - on IP in UMTS networks... All very interesting if a bit too detailed for what I need to know!

The first part of the week off was spent in Killarney. S and I needed a break - time away together after a fairly hard few weeks. After looking at the prices of last min deals in the sun we decided to stick with Ireland and go to Kerry, which everyone has said is beautiful and worth a visit. We found this hotel with good rates on laterooms - 4* with a pool sounded about right! We left on Friday morning, with my PDA directing us. Obviously I ignored her totally while driving round Dublin and she got very cross, recalculating her route as we went. It was however invaluable when we got to Killarney as it directed us perfectly round the town to the road with the Hotel on. (although the whole Dingle peninsular isn't on the maps!) We had a lovely time, found some lovely restaurants (which if I can be bothered later I'll look for links - but you know full well it will never happen if I don't do it now!). We drove to Dingle and round the bit at the end of the peninsular - which was beautiful. We did a walking tour of Killarney, which took a couple of hours. We drove to Kenmare which was a nice little town - smaller than I was expecting though! From there we drove back via the Gap of Dunloe (sp??) which was incredible. Road barely as wide as the car winding its way up, through and down mountains (OK, large hills). Panicking at every turn that we'd meet something coming the other way, then really sh*tting it when we did! Horses and carts were the most annoying thing to come across... When we got back to the hotel, they kindly informed us that it was usual practice drive that loop the other way round...

We drove back to Dublin on the Wednesday as J was visiting for the weekend on Thursday. Had a nice time, in town eating cake, in Powerscourt (eating cake) and going for long walks not finding a waterfall (nor eating cake).

So now it's back to normality.... Except our house is still being painted and fixed from the flood which is really getting on our t*ts. The lounge is out of use while they paint and the rest of the place is a big mess. Just hope they sort it soon.

After months of not understanding why I keep a blog, S decided to find the address and read the thing. Wonder if knowing she'll read it will change the way I write...? Don't think so! We had an interesting discussion on the point of a blog. When people who know you read it, you have to put some thought into what you say in case you offend. If no one ever reads it you can write what you like, but what's the point? S has decided to start her own, however with a different focus to mine.

Got this from J: Pick The Colour Not The Word - it's hard!!! J said he'd be disappointed if I beat his 120something, he's having a laugh! I cant get over 30 before panicking and clicking on the wrong thing!

After one of the worst weeks ever, there's a lot I could write about. The final of 3 disasters occurred yesterday as Southampton managed to get relegated out of the premiership. It may come as a surprise to some readers that this isn't the biggest disaster I've had to deal with this week either. However I'm not going to write about that just yet. As for Southampton, my general view is that I am going to put my head in the sand and pretend it didn't happen and wake up in August and support them fully whoever they are playing... I must point out that Rupert Lowe must bare the brunt of responsibility for this having made a total mess of replacing Gordon Strachan. It's unbelievable that Wiggley wasn't good enough for the job when Sturrock was appointed suddenly was when Sturrock left. That's not even considering the rediculous way Sturrock was handled. 2 games into the season to get rid of him was absurd, esp when we'd won one! The sad thing is I think they'll probably go the way of Coventry and oh so many other clubs that have been in the top devision since I've been supporting Saints.

Strange thing happened last night as I was about to fall asleep at about 11:30pm. Loud fire engines screetching down the road (which doesn't go anywhere) and lots of noise. Looked out the window to see something was seriously on fire at the end of the road. There's an industrial estate at the end of the road (but no way through for cars to it from our road) and something was seriously ablaze. Loads of people piled out of houses to take a look, but I couldn't quite be bothered, looking from the upstairs window instead. By midnight things were looking well out of control. Hudge flames rising above the houses opposit. In the end I got bored and fell asleep. Firebrigade were still there this morning when I left for work. Strangely I cant find any mention of it on Irish news...

It's been a long time since posts and I'm concious there's lots to write about. Like last weeks trip to Belfast where we got horribly lost and ended up driving round some very interesting areas! But more pressing is todays news. We are having a new bathroom fitted and S left them to it during the day and came home about 9:30pm to find a water fall in the kitchen (and some of the ceiling on the floor) and in the lounge. It was hot water so the whole place is like a sauna. Having called me in a panic (what the hell I was meant to do I'm not sure!!) and the guys who are doing the bathroom, they have turned up devastated that such a thing could happen and are doing all they can to put it right... Still, things are very damp, some are very wet, but no electrical appliance seems to have died which is a bonus. Things could have sparked and been a lot worse! So we're off to Ks for the night for a dry nights sleep with a working toilet near by.