Doctor?!

I just thought these were quite cool piccies from a day out to Kinsale last week with our friend Haldane "Mr Paparazzi!!)

Oh yeah - dont forget to have a look at all our photos, the link is on your right!

Manchester United!!!!!

Glory, Glory Man United!!

We are just back from a few days in Manchester and Liverpool. Neal had last minute tickets to the semi finals of the Champions League football - to watch Manchester United play AC Milan!

Chancing my luck I also got the days off , and scored a ticket in the boxes!!

WOW!! It was just so awesome!! Old Trafford was full of about 73,000 crazy singing fans - the air was just buzzing! I totally lost my voice from screaming and jumping up and down!! Neal was stoked to be there, and I am now a true convert to live soccer and Man Utd. Especially when they score last minute goals!

The next day we did a tour of Old Trafford - the museum, the players change room (got to sit where Cantona and Ronaldo sit - cool) and Neal got to sit in Sir Alex's chair in the digout!

Manchester is a great city! Heaps of cool restaurants, bars and insane shopping! Has been done up recently. We made a b-line for China town for our fix of yum-cha!! We found ourselves in a very dangerous gang suburb in search for a pharmacy - oops and thank goodness for a taxi driver who would wait for us!!

Not long to go - less than 8 weeks - so much to do! It seem s funny as the closer you get to leaving - the more good friends you make!

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Long Lost Easter Bunny!

Kia Ora Team!

Hows the craic?

Well has been a long time since I have written a little ditty for the blog site! Must be too much work!!

It has been action stations since St Paddys day. Easter weekend Neal surprised me with a weekend away in Kenmare, Co. Kerry (major brownie points!) - it is along the route of the ring of kerry - beautiful traditional wee town with awesome pubs and restaurants. As the piccies will show we pottered about in the glistening coves and Neal played a round of golf at Waterville. The golf course was insane ( I was the caddy due to recent tummy stitches damn it!), real links course with tall grasses and gorse! It has two holes ranked some of the most beautiful/best in the world - pretty cool. Not to mention lots of choccie from the Easter Bunny!

Yip am still pottering along with this golf malarchy - and I dont even want to be a surgeon !!(sorry boys!!) It is a great way to see the country, and last night I played my best round ever - and also my first round with other people - including one of the golf pros!!

Work is keeping us pretty busy, the on calls suck big time - this is my first weekend off in weeks! Bring on the 50hour weeks at home! We have even managed to convince a few friends to come down to NZ and work - should be fun! Speaking of fun Neal is in seventh heaven at the moment after scoring a ticket to watch Manchester Utd play Milan at Old Trafford in the semis of the Champions league!! Like a big kid in a candy store!!

Its getting a lot warmer and more summery here - yet despite that I have only been on two runs towards a half marathon I am doing in 2 weeks with friends - oh dear!!!

Ah well time to go, hope everyone is well and happy!

XXXXXXXXXX The on call guru and The worlds most excited Man Utd. fan!!!!

Paddys Day!!!! Great Craic!

Hi Team!!

Well what a week - we are just back from Maroc -- our tans fading fast in the Cork weather (it actually rained, snowed and was sunny all in one day on Monday!). Last weekend we missioned back up to Dublin for St Paddy's Day! Wow - was awesome. We precariously balanced ourselves on City Hall to watch the parade - it was awesome!! Over 650,000 people there, everyone wearing green - so many leprachauns and "kiss me i'm irish"!!! Temple Bar was rocking - and I think some people are still recovering!!!

Madness in Morocco!!!

Hi Team!

We are just back from a mental week in Morocco - and what an AWESOME country!! I have to say I have never experienced anything quite like it! It is still very much a vibrant third world country .... where else will you see donkeys instead of cars, camels, horse + carriages as a main mode of transport and mud shanty towns lining the roads. It was unreal and I can hardly wait to go back and explore some more!

We flew into Agadir - the package tourist Miami of Morocco - not real Morocco at all!! But was a good cheap base. In saying that we had our first experience of the souk (market) - and what an experience that was "Hello my friend, come in for a free look..." , and whats more the 5 year olds that attach to your legs to show you around and ask for money speak every language under the sun! We also experienced a crazy moroccan being chased by police through our restaurant- tables, chairs and waiters flying!

Then it was time to hire a car and head up the West coast to Essaouira -the windy city. The drive was cool, the surf and kite spots were unreal - loads of dubbie vans packed full of Poms and Aussies checking out the rolling breaks. It was crazy - men just sit on the side of the road everywhere, even in the middle of nowhere - it is truly a mans world - I think the women do all the hard work - while the men laze about in the sun, chat and drink fantastic coffee. We spent a night in Essaouira (where they shot Othello incidently) - watched the kite surfers, haggled in the souk, got lost in junkie territory and strolled the fishing port.

Then it was off inland to Marrakech - the drive was cool - every person waved and smiled - smiles lighting up their whole face! Very friendly people.. Marrakech was WICKED. We satyed in a beautiful little riad called Riad Boussa. It was run by Brigitte and Bruno (neat French couple) the decor is amazing, I want a house just like that - all riads are open air with roof terraces, beautiful rugs and lets not forget the Moroccan doors!! We cannot thank gorgeous Samirah from the riad for her amazing cooking, advice and giggles in french!! We were sad to leave, and I will take you up on the offer to come back and learn to cook in your kitchen!

Gosh where to start with Marrakech. Never before have I seen and heard such a melange of colours, noise, people and smells. We were staying right in the maze of the medina, near the entrance to the winding souks. We had a ball in the Souks - all those babouces (shoes), spices piled perfectly, donkeys and scooters trying to kill you at every turn - and lets not forget the scarfs, rugs, jewellery and just about anything you could ever want!! The shop keepers are MORE than happy to find it for you!!! We only once had a problem with being hassled by a young kid near the leather tanneries - other than that none of the bothers I read about. Although I must say I wore long linen pants and shirts every day - not sure how the offensive tourists in boob tubes and micro shorts did!!

We also took in Jemma el fna square - monkeys and snake charmers by day, fabulous open air food stalls by night!! I was transfixed by them , though I gave the whole sheeps heads a miss! We watched soccer in an all mens cafe - good one ! Hit the Palace, and drank beer in Kosybar watching the sunset over the cities prominent Kotubia. Thhe medersa next the mosque was also beautiful - mosaics and peaceful detail.

We were sad to leave Marrakech - then we set off on a mission drive over the High Atlas mountains (30 degrees at the bottom, snow on top!) and home. Loads of cool mud villages tucked in the mountains, and I will try not to remember the precarious windy roads only big enough for us and the passing donkey!

We spent the last day chilling on the beach and learning to surf up the coast from Agadir. Our coach was this cool 9x Moroccan surf champ dude - we both stood up, got nailed on the rocks and had a ball!!! Whats better than paddling about and seeing camels on the beach.

And then it was time to say au revoir and head back to Cork - tans fading instantly! We are full of Tajines, couscous and all the sights and sounds. What a fantastic trip, can't wait for the next adventure!!!!

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Castle Wedding

Hi Team!

We are just back from a fantastic and some may say luxurious weekend at Dromoland Castle, Co. Clare. Our friends Izzat and Colette got married in a beautiful little church nearby and the rest of the event was held at Dromoland. The wedding was unreal, very traditional and romantic, over 170 people, 10 piece band and even fireworks by the lake! Colette looked just beautiful, and Izzat was smiling nervously beforehand! We (I) just wished we knew how to waltz!

Dromoland Castle was awesome, I think it dates back to the 1500s, with enormous grounds, lakes and a golf course that Neal tried his hand rather well at. Well he is actually lucky to have made it to the 18th - as they had to dodge the pheasant shooters on the way! Only 2000 euro to go hunting for the day! yikes!!

We stayed in a cool room in a tower - with a gnarly spiral staircase! All good in heels after a few wines! A real treat I must say! And my final words....."Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your hair..."

10 Things I love about Ireland

1. Midleton farmers market and the city English market - YUMMY
2. St Finbarres Catherdral lit up at night
3. Kinsale - gorgeous harbour, boats and cafes
4. The Cork Irish Accent - "when I'm after understanding if you know like"
5. Cute little villages and pubs on every corner
6. Blarney Castle gardens - a true romantic at heart
7. Wild windy cliffs of Dingle and Galway
8. Irish oldies trying to marry you off to a good irish lad
9. Plethora of golf courses to vent and increase my frustration!
10. O'Connells Chocolate shop - hot choccies to die for!

10 things you cannot help but laugh/cry at..

1. The Cork Irish Accent - as above, when you think you can follow - you have no idea!
2. High maintenance girls - make up, french manicure and heels central - thank goodness for MAC!!
3. Rain, rain,rain
4. Wide open beautiful spaces - and no-one does outdoor exercise!! (Except my crazy surfer buddy Clodagh)
5. The banking and tax system - dont get me started!!
6. Knackers - think tracksuits, trainers, shaved heads, live outside centras!
7. Bloomin learner drivers - soooo many L plates!
8. Guiness - still havent tried it - naughty!
9. Rain, rain, rain
10. Mass exodus of pale Irish people to the canary islands