Finally on the road

Update: 2

Back to Loxwood from Wales, we had two days to finalise our packing. Tam had organised herself months ago. I, on the other hand, had left everything to the last minute. I gathered what I thought would be good to take and realised that I had way too much so I did what any sad accountant would do... (Kas - you're going to laugh, Scotty - you're going to love the detail) I prepared an inventory. Once I got into the swing of it, and realised I could combine spreadsheets with packing, there was no stopping me. Here it is in all it's glory (feel free to use this method yourselves if you want to keep on top of the whereabouts of your toothpaste).

So, with that out of the way, we began our world tour as any great explorer or pioneers would: we flew to Ireland.

I'd chipped a tooth on the way back from Wales (pork scratchings: I've had a think - and great taste doesn't justify 50% fat content, MSG levels beyond a generally accepted healthy norm and bits of enamel cracking bone) so on arrival in Cork we went to find a dentist. They say that kissing the Blarney Stone gives you the gift of the gab. I'm not sure how far you're meant to go when kissing it, but I reckon this guy passed first base. My filling took about 10 minutes. His instructions on how best to experience the delights of South West Ireland took about 45. He charged for the full hour but I was so relieved that my fears of having to explain in Spanish to an Amazonian hammer-and-tongs man that I had el dolor de muelas hadn't come to pass, I paid up.

Being in Cork was pretty much like being in Britain except the roads are worse and the people friendlier. So for the few days we were there, we pretty much did British things like walk around in the rain and drink. (Note to self: Beamish, like Guinness, alters one's plumbing and output but its timing is less predictable. Drink with caution). We did do some exercise however, and ventured out on bikes for a 20km round trip cycle to Galleyhead, a lighthouse on a tiny peninsular. The weather was good enough to give us some colour but I'm still not convinced that it was actually summer.

So a few days with cousins and then off to Roma. The highlight being Tam's 60th. (Country, not year). We'll step into the Vatican, dodge the Tourists and go for coffee. Job done. Well that's the intention...