Hello Again

Hello

Since its been ages since I've updated this let me give you an Quick update.

Sorry I never finished the Travelling tales. Making a Long story short made it to France, Italy,  Croatia, Slovenia, Germany,  Austria (again), Hungary, Slovakia, Czech republic, Germany (again) & Holland.

Only broke down once which was in Austria and also managed to do this to my toe somewhere in Germany.


And grew a massive beard.


Overall it was an amazing trip and would recommend everyone to do something like this at least once in there lifetimes.

Since then moved back to Ireland, couldn't find work so moved to England to be with my lovely Girlfriend Kat. Got a job digging tunnels. Not that I do any of the physical digging I'm more a checker.


Got a house with a garage (to keep the van) and even got a cat, oh and the van got van of the month in March.


Think that's enough for this update. I'll try to do this more often.

Thanks for looking

Padraig

The Big Trip Post No 1

So I've decided to keep an update here of my big Eurotrip with my lovely girlfriend Kat in our VW camper Olly. Camper arrived from America with a bit of an oil leak and was collected from the port by my brother (thanks Conor). It took about a month and a half to get the oil leak fixed and to get registered but we eventually got there.

We decided to do a bit of a trip round Ireland for the first week just to make sure everything worked right and Olly was going well.

Day 1 6/4/2011 Monaghan to Blarney

Set off on Day 1 nice and early I think. Long drive down to Blarney which was made even longer by me forgettin the petrol cap at a random petrol station in Offaly and realising this 20 minutes later and turning round to find it and it not being at the Petrol station. But not to worry I Had one ordered and it was at home when got home. Nice campsite in Blarney.

Day 2 7/4/2011 Blarney & Cork

Visited Cork Gaol today which was very interesting then went to Blarney castle and kissed the Blarney stone. So now we have the gift on the Gab.

Day 3 8/4/2011 Blarney to Dingle

Drove to Dingle today. Went out on Boat trip in the Bay to see Fungi the Dolphin. Seen him and he's looking pretty happy with himself. Stayed in Campsite 10minutes from dingle which is the most westerly campsite in Europe. Nice owners directed us to the local pub which i think they own and even give us a lift in. I got slightly tipsy on free wine and started partaking in the quiz on my own from the bar. Kat decided it would be best if we walked home. It was nice I had a conversation with a horse on the way which was interrupted when a lad on a bike rode past.

Day 4 9/4/2011 Dingle to Caherdaniel

Started the ring of Kerry today lovely drive and some great views. Nice Campsite with pitch right on the coast. Went for walk in the afternoon seen a house that Daniel O'Connell lived in then walked down to the beach real nice evening stroll and we stopped for a pint on the way back to the campsite. Christened Olly when we got there.

Day 5 10/4/2011 Caherdaniel to Doolin

Finished the ring of Kerry today and went over Molls gap, bit mountainy and "fun" in an old bus. Also passed thru the killarney national park and seen some of the killarney lakes which was nice We got a ferry across the Shannon and were in Doolin in good time. Good campsite right beside were you get the boat to the Aran islands and with views of the Cliffs of Moher. Went and took a stroll into the village then decided we'd have a drink and a bite to eat in the pub. Turned into a really good night had a feckin awesome steak and they had some musicians in playing some traditional (Diddly i) music which was really good.

Day 6 11/4/2011 Inis Oirr & Cliffs of Moher

Took ferry to Inis Oirr in the morning. Boat trip was very rocky, sat at the front which was a bit chilly. The island was lovely we hired bikes and explored that way. Saw the boat from the start of father Ted and admired all the lovely old stone walls. Boat ride back was a bit better we sat at the back. Some massive waves. We were also meant to stay on the boat and see the Cliffs from the sea but it was too rough.Went up and took a stroll on the cliffs, they are very impressive.

Day 7 12/4/2011 Doolin to Galway

Nice drive in, Cork screw hill was fun and as the name suggests was a bit twisty but i'm glad we were going down it. Stayed in a campsite in salthill which was a bit windy. Took a walk in to the city and explored a bit. Had a few pints and a really nice feed. Walked back to the campsite and it was just starting to rain when we got to the campsite. Really windy and wet night so didn't get a great nights sleep. Its just lucky the rest of the trial week had such lovely weather.

Day 8 13/4/2011 Galway to Monaghan

Long drive home today and was happy when we got there. Overall the trial went ok and we are ready for Europe.

Day 9 15/4/2011 Monaghan to Rosslare

Bit of a stress getting ready this morning. Trying to sort out a few bits for Olly but took a spin up to Armagh to a man in the know and he told me the part I need so i'll pick that up on the way. Long drive down to Rosslare but no issues. Campsite is in Wexford and the people running it a bit councilly but a nice enough campsite. Loads of kids calling Olly a hippy van when we arrived. Went into the town for a chinese.

Day 10 16/4/2011 Rosslare to Swansea

Ferry journey was uneventful and long. Decided we would stay with Kats brother Ed in Swansea for the night as it breaks up the journey to Woking nicely. Ordered the part i needed online and had to delay the Eurotunnel a few days to give it time to arrive in Woking. Took a spin down to mumbles in the van which is a really nice part of swansea beside the Sea. It was really nice. Seen a lovely split screen Van.

Day 11 17/4/2011 Swansea to Woking

Got to Woking in good time and didn't even get lost leaving Swansea. Olly got the nod of approval from Kat's Ma so all's good. Had to take a few days off while we wait for the part. But it's nice to get a break.

Day 12 20/4/2011 Woking to Guines (France (Europe))

Got Olly fitted with his new part and alls good. First part of the journey today was to Folkestone to catch the train to France. Pretty cool and quick way to get across the channel. Had to get petrol when we got to France and I managed to reverse into a concrete Kerb thingy and give Olly his first Dent. So the mood wasn't great. A lovely drive to the campsite thru nice French countryside. Got to campsite and some slightly pissed english middle aged dude (no not Chris Osborne) askes can he take a pic of the van then sits down and tells us all about his trip. A bit annoying but he did remind me of a bridge in Millau I wanted to see.

Day 13 21/4/2011 Guines to Paris

Very long Drive on Motorway with massive toll at the end and alot of traffic around Paris which didn't help keep Olly, me or Kat cool or happy. Nice campsite thou with nice secluded pitches.

Day 14 22/4/2011 Paris

Got campsite mini bus to Metro station in morning and got metro into Paris, all very easy, thank god. First site we visited was the Notre dame Cathedral which had massive queues so we didn't bother to go in. Walked along the Seine to the Eifel tower which was a really nice walk and we stopped on the way and ate our sandwiches. Eifel tower was packed had to Q for about an hour to get in. Lots of steps up the tower to get to the first level. Great views when you get up thou so its all worth it. Couldn't get to the very top as it was too busy. After the tower we walked across the river and took the Metro up to the Arc de Triumph which is pretty bleeding big. Then we went and seen this Cathedral on the top of a hill which had some amazing views of Paris. On the walk down the hill these too black lads from Senegal stopped us and gave us these wristbands. At first they were friendly enough but then they were looking for money, and I had none but one of them got a bit Agro so we got out of that part of the city sharpish and went for a lovely meal. Lesson learned anyway, Always be on your guard.

Day 15 23/4/2011 Paris to Troyes

Lovely drive across to Troyes in the morning avoiding tolls so taking us thru some nice countryside. Troyes is in the Champagne region so we drove thru a few vineyards on the way.

Day 16 24/4/2011 Troyes

Nice lazy day. Took a walk into the town centre. It was really nice with some really old crooked buildings and massive cathedrals. Found an irish bar which was far from Irish. Some mad scary Lightning during the night and one massive clap which scared the bejeasus out of me.

Day 17 25/4/2011 Troyes

Took a spin to a vineyard today in the champagne region to see if we could do a tour but everything was closed as it was the Monday after Easter.

Day 18 26/4/2011 Troyes to Gien

Lovely campsite in Gien with a lovely pitch over looking a lake. Lots of fish and ducks and Kat seen an Otter.

Day 19 27/4/2011 Gien to Valencay and the Valencay to Poitiers

Got to Valencay and the campsite i had chosen was closed should really read the opening dates of these things. Countinued onto the campsite in Poitiers, miserable looking woman at reception and a very encroached site.

Day 20 28/4/2011 Poitiers to La Rochelle

This morning some mad Frenchman came to the door of Olly in what looked like just his jumper and started ranting about "Boom, Boom, Boom" me and Kat didn't know what to think but eventually figured out he was complaining about the noise we made while closing the sliding door. But this was at like half 8 in the morning so fuck him it was time he was up anyway the miserable cunt. Had a stroll round Poitiers which was nice enough, lots of cathedrals. Then drove on to La Rochelle and got slightly lost finding the site and momentarily forgot what side of the road to drive on, no incidents luckily. Nice site when we eventually found it.

Day 21 29/4/2011 La Rochelle & St Martin

Went into La Rochelle in the morning to book tickets for the Boat to the Ile de Re. Walked around La Rochelle a bit, got some breakfast and only got slightly lost. Boat to the island took about an hour. Arrived in a lovely town called St Martin. Got Dinner when we got there I had Moules and Frittes which was very nice and Kat had the Sammon.

Walked around the town and its walls for the rest of the day it is a really nice place and we had a great day. After we got the boat back and got back to Olly the Battery was completely dead cos we had forgot about the fridge being on and after about 7 hours it had drained the battery. After a few attempts at asking passing cars for a jump start a camper stopped with some really nice people in it and the give us a jump and Olly was on the road again. Thank god.

Day 22 30/4/2011 La Rochelle

Decided to spend an extra day in La Rochelle after being a Bit stressed the previous evening. We just relaxed and went for a bit of a walk.

Day 23 1/5/2011 La Rochelle to Pons Via Chateau De La Roche Courbon

Visited a lovely chateau which had some amazing Gardens and it was a good experience to see the inside of one. Also seen some ancient caves were pre historic man used to live which were beside the chateau .

Not a great campsite in Pons. Bigs thunderstorm in the evening and lesbians having very loud sex at about 1.30 in the morning.

Well thats about enough writing for one day. I'll try to bring this up to now in the next post. Sorry if the post dragged on a bit but there was a lot to write about. Thank you anyone that has bothered to read right down to here and if you haven't well you won't be reading this so fuck you :D.

My New Van

Hey so i finally did it bit the bullet and Bought myself a Van. Well not just any van its a camper van. Not just any camper van thou it a 1976 VW Sage Green Pop top camper van.

Its Awesome! To find it I enquired on eircooled.ie (a forum populated by experts who love to talk about all things air cooled and VW) about the ridiculous price of camper vans for sale in England. The lads there were brilliant and a few of them recommended Road cow an American with a connection to the club who is based in California. He was great he asked me what my experience with VWs was and if i was mechanically minded. He convinced me that I'd be better off with a pop top because at first i wanted a tintop because i liked them better but the practicality of the poptop won me over. At first he told me he knew of a bus for sale which is pictured here and that he could get it for a reasonable price. Its the Blue one pictured below.

I wasn't sure thou and as this one is an early bay it didn't have all the options such as a sink and cooker it may not have been suitable for the trip. Britt (Roadcow) the told me that he had the Sage green bus and that he could sort it out to how i wanted it and have it in Ireland for a very reasonable price. So i agreed on buying it and at the minute he is doing it up for me.

He is going to remove the front wheel carrier of the front (and get me a VW sign), he is going to to do up the engine and replace the injectors with carbs (apparently easier to service in Europe) he is going to replace all the door and window seals, he is going to replace the break lines and get the brakes working well, he is going to respray the entire bus top half white and bottom half sage green, he is going to replace the canvas in the pop top and he is going to get 5 new tires for it. I'm sure there is more but i can't thin now. This will be arriving in Ireland in December around the same time as me hopefully.

Bored at work

Yet again i find my self bored at work. It's not that I have nothing to do it's just that the work I have to do is a hell of a lot more boring than sitting here doing nothing so I've compiled a list of the top 10 ways to pass a boring day at work.

1. Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ (I know its obvious but great if u fancy bit of online stalking, checking out other peoples pictures, or just checking out what old mates are up to, I try to keep away from farmville and Mafia wars as they are very worthless/pointless pursuits
2. Watching never mind the buzzcocks on you tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S3eoDBjfOA&feature=related This is was an episode i was just about to watch but dag nabit I've already seen I should really have kept a list of what I've watched. For those of you don't know Never Mind The Buzzcocks is a popular pop Quiz Show hosted by Mark Lemar originally and had been going, I think since 1996 when i was 14 and used to sit up in my room and piss my hole laughing at it and still do but now at work. Which may be why my boss who sits opposite me gives me the occasional funny look. Original captains were Phil Juipitus and Sean Hughes. Sean left and was replaced by Bill Bailey, Mark left and was replaced first by a series of guest hosts (series 18), Simon Amstel then took over, Bill Bailey left in series 22 and was replaced by Noel Fielding in series 23. Simon Amstel left at the end of series 22 and was replaced by guest hosts in series 23. (sorry i know that's more info then you were looking for)


3. Placing Hex on Freeonline games .com http://www.freeonlinegames.com/strategy-games/hex-empire.html Random war game highly addictive.


4. Checking out this site http://www.27bslash6.com/ This guy is a legend I really like his business plan about cats.
5. From the last sight i found this http://www.andkon.com/arcade/missiledefender/warzonetowerdefense/ another highly addictive war game.
6. During the week i listen to today fm Ray d'Arcy from 12 to 3 (that's 9 to 12 at home) and Ray Foley from 12 to 2.30. http://www.todayfm.com/
7. Checking out camper vans on the web for potential Craigs (the name i shall give my camper) This is one of my favourite sites http://www.vwcampercrazy.co.uk/
8. Checking out peoples comments about camper vans here http://www.type2ireland.org/forum/index.php some of the restorations work is crazy.
9. Taking extra long lunch breaks in Abu Dhabi Mall think the longest may have stretched to 2 and a half hours on a particular unmotivated day.
10. Barring all that i go to site and look at some concrete which is what I'm going to do now.

Phones are getting bigger

I have a theory or merely an observations that phones are getting bigger. The bleedin buttons on them may be getting smaller like on the blackberry but the blackberry itself is still a big phone so much so that you see them twats with the pouch on the side of there belts cos the phone is two big for their pockets. The i-phone too is feckin huge ok it can do loads of cool stuff but its feckin massive.

My new Phone

I'm only making this observation because i bought a new phone the other day a Sony eiricsson something or other all i know is that it has a 5 mp camera on it and you can use to communicate with other people that own mobile phones or even just phoners in their houses. That's really, well nearly more then I require from a phone. My first mobile phone in 1999 was some sort of nokia thing 3200 maybe and it was big and useless and didn't have many gadgets but it did have snake, so it kept me entertained. My new phone has pedometer which tells me that so far today I've done 1973 steps but apparently to be healthy i have to do 10000 that means i have to walk home so I may start now.

Time

So here I am sitting at work with another 2 hours and 40 minutes left to kill and to be honest I think it’s killing me as I am so un motivated at the moment I hate this stupid un appreciating un caring company I work for. But that another story, why in the name of hell aren’t I at home playing x box already. Because time when you’re doing something fun as they say flies and “they” are in fact correct. Be it sitting in a pub with your mates having the craic, or watching an awesome film or TV show, or being on a date with a lovely lassie.

Bought this yesterday:

Started playing it at like 6.30 when I got home from work and stopped playing at about 11. Only stopping to make me self a bacon sandwich. It’s a pretty cool game set in western America were you are this bounty hunter dude and you get to shoot bandits, herd cattle and tame wild horses. Basically its mission based but free roaming a bit like Grand Theft Auto Tombstone.
Haha writing crap in Blog can also waste time what am I going do for the next 2 and a half hours.

The Plan

I have a plan

Its not a great plan buts its all i have. I've been living and working in the hot hot heat of Abu Dhabi for nearly two years and I'm sick of it. Since about January last year we have been working 6 day weeks before that we got every second Saturday off. Wouldn't be too bad if we had been paid for the extra work but we weren't but were promised that it would be reflected in our bonus.

The bonus was promised for over a year with rumours circulating about it every month so much so that the bonus was nicknamed the unicorn. But this month things changed and the mythical creature finally landed and finally we got extra funds in the bank account. So that means i can finnally afford to have a plan.

Now to the plan in November of this year I'm going to quit this job and finally head home not that i haven't been home but this will see me leave for good after working for 2 years and celebrate my first Christmas at home for 2 years. :D Hopefully having saved enough to buy one of these babies.

Then after I've purchased my VW camper i hope to head off on a trip round Europe in her. Hope to start in February and bum around for 6 to 8 months doing as little physical work as possible and seeing as much cool stuff as possible hopefully wrapping up the trip at Oktober fest in Munich. If i last that long.