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.