The Talking Traveller

I've had quite a interesting few days. We returned from the almost disappointing last day of the "Paddywagon" tour. We didn't really stop anywhere interesting during our final day back except in a place called Nenah (I think) when the coach driver gave us some time to enjoy watching a gaelic football match in a bar with him. Or, at least the others did, I went off to explore the town. On the way bay to Dublin I realised that I enjoyed exploring castle's. So I paged through my over-used Ireland guide book and found the biggest Normand Castle location in Ireland which is at a little town called Trim. As soon as we stopped at Dublin I headed for the Bus station and bought myself a ticket heading just that way. I arrived at Trim about 10pm and started asking around for the location of the youth hostel of which I only had a name. Being friendly and all I recieved good directions and after about 1.5 km of walking I caught the Hostel keeper just in time to book myself in. I spend a whole day exploring the trim castle and surrounding area. In the hostel I met a young man from Isreal who had been in the Military Service for 5 years and is now taken a long awaited holiday after service. When he returns back home he plans to become a vet and wants to specialize in horses, very interesting story. Monday I made my way back to Dublin and decided to head for Glendalough. Glendalough is famous for it's amazing heritage and walking trails. I booked into a hostel there and spend my day yesterday walking a total of about 15 km in the mountains(plus 3km back and forth to the only shop there). Absolutely amazing scenery and atmosphere. I also met some friendly hikers on my path and realised again how people are amazed about the transformation that happend in South-Africa and especially the life of our old president Nelson Mandela. I'm always proud to mention that my Grandma met Nelson once and shook his hand. "Small and soft hands with big bodyguards who had wide shoulders" is the way that she described him. I'm in Galway at the moment and the next course is starting in a hour. There is a rumour that Gareth Gates himself will be presenting the course. As soon as I can find a Internet Cafe in Galway with USB ports to use I will upload some more photo's. But for the next four days it's time to kill that Dragon again.