AND THE (OTHER) COUNTDOWN BEGINS...

Even as most are counting down to 2006, the man and I are crossing off the dates to another big occasion - our first wedding anniversary (how time has flown) and our upcoming sojourn to Ireland. We're due to leave in the third week of Jan and have at least two weeks there, including stops in Dubai (hopefully), Dublin (possibly) and loads of time in Europe's Capital of Culture 2005, Cork (http://www.cork2005.ie), which is where Pete's from. And the whole Williams clan is congregating in Cork to mark the occasion with a real Irish roast, with mushy peas galore. Pete's also put heaps else on the agenda, including taking the boat out on Lough Leane in Killarney, which is absolutely amazing (http://www.killarney.ac/panoramasd.html), though choppy methinks. Then there's Dinis Cottage, Torc Waterfall, Waterford, everything U2, and all this other amazing stuff, including prospect of finally trying my first real pint of Guiness (The Singapore version - brewed in Malaysia, tastes nothing like it, Pete swears). But of course, its going to be absolutely freezing. Try this on for size - Today's weather report from the Irish Examiner, which noted that it would be "a mainly dry day with some sunny spells". But of course, it went on to add... "But there will be a risk of the odd wintry shower towards the east coast. Feeling cold everywhere in the brisk east or southeast wind. Max temp 3-6C (37-43F). Sheesh. There better be a raging fireplace and a LOT of Irish whiskey going around. Still, I refuse to let it put a dampener on our holiday. I'm even continuing to study my Gaelic diligently (read: when I remember), and have gotten as far as Ta an aimsir fuar fliuch, go cinnte. Ta baisteach air anois (which translates as: The weather is cold and wet, certainly. It looks like rain now.). I guess its one of the few phrases I might be using fairly often... Ah well. Slainte Art