Awesome day!!!!

My last saturday in Dublin, either I have reason to be really sentimental, or I'm bursting with energy. Maybe a healthy mixture of both is appropriate.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. Again.
Let's have some poetry by well-known Irish penjockey James Joyce:

Strings in the earth and air
Make music sweet;
Strings by the river where
The willows meet.

There’s music along the river
For Love wanders there,
Pale flowers on his mantle,
Dark leaves on his hair.

All softly playing,
With head to the music bent,
And fingers straying
Upon an instrument.

For some reason, among the stereotypical Irish, poetry is almost the only form of expression valid. I mean, where else would one say: Strangers are friends, you haven't met, yet instead of: Come on, give that guy a chance!!!

But today's activities: after getting most of the main ingridients needed for my farewell dinner tomorrow, it was time to head out to meet up with Stephen and Molly- Sophie to have our "thank you for moving the trees"- picnic.

We went to St. Anne's park and had on company- expenses a really good time. The French girls had baguette and cheese with Stephen and I opted for a Burger with fries. Adventurous me, I know. Molly decided to pitch in some "organic cherries from Spain" (how they are any better than regularly grown domestic cherries, I don't know. I'd have to ask her.) and, living up to our age, we had a cherry-pit spitting contest. The criterion to be the King of Cherries was distance and precission. The latter was determined by hitting a sign, which none of us read. It probably rsaid something like "No spitting cherry pits" or so...But, we were working for a Tree planting charity and decided to do our active part in St. Anne's and start planting some cherry trees. Unfortunately, coming from Spain, they can't qualify to be autochthonous. But hey, they were organic.

After goofing around for a while, we went to explore the park for a little. Instead of wandering around, we did some geocaching. And, lo and behold, we even found some!!!

Here are some impressions:

After the above pic, the camera was out of my hands and see what happens:

from left: me, Stephen and Laetitia (don't know, how much she likes "Humphrey")

The goofing continues (actually, I didn't do any pull-ups, I just hung there for the better part of an hour :) )

To explain: St.Anne's Park Rose Garden, a bit late for freshly blooming roses, I believe. But I'm a lumberjack, not a gardener  

As nice as St. Anne's Park Rose Garden is, I have to say it can't compete with the Rosengarten in the town, I live in. Come see for yourself.

Well, after St. Anne's Park, Laetitia and I went to Bull Island to do some more geocaching, while Molly- Sophie and Stephen had to head back to Dublin.I didn't have to, but I did promise Stephen to come back, if they needed my help.He was trying to overplay it, but I think, Stephen had a hard time not being too emotional. Me, you know, I can turn it off like a lightbulb- NOT!!! Sometimes, you just meet people, you would like to keep in your life forever. Like they guys, my oldest son was named after.

Okay, moving on.

Geocaching on Bull Island. VERY successful. Proof? Here are the pics, unedited, unphotoshopped, unexciting:

But geocaches weren't the only things, we found on the Island!

In case you're wondering: my first-ever shark. A little dead, but still a shark.

Want some more scenery? Here we go:

Some people might rememeber something similar: this, in the 1920's, was some sort of women's changing room

Was a really nice day out on the beach and walking and such. Didn't wanna miss this.

Coming back to Dunblin, I was reminded, this weekend is homosexual "appreciation" time. Politically incorrect and outspoken as I most the time am, at home, they can do whatever they want, even be married. But please don't teach my kids by your public example it is okay to be attracted by the same gender. As far as I know, this being a blog about environment and such, there aren't any gay or lesbian animals. Just because nature often is used as an example.

In Dublin, I took some pictures of objects, I wanted to capture for a while:

Part of Dublin city wall- really nice: they have lights in the street to show where the wall used to be to illustrate the outline of Olde Towne Dublin

This is how I imagine Dublin in the late 1800s, early 1900s looked like, of course minus the cars and asphalt

"Just" another church

Jumping back:

I don't know what it is about beaches, but they inspire to contemplate the importance of things.

To me, it made clear, why I feel a little blue about leaving, when I can finally see my family, the most important people in my life, again:

apart from wanting to keep some folks in my life, it kind of feels like going to a dance: you know, this is not  real life, but you are enjoying your time. And after the music died down and the lights are on again, you return to your save home and hope, the memories won't fade over time.

Anyone knowing me will raise an eyebrow referring to dancing, simply because I have, when it comes to dancing, perma-concrete shoes on.

BUT, when I was a little younger than today (let's say about 10 years), and went to a dance or two, it was possible to just enjoy the time without thinking about what other people might think of me goofing around.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not struck by mid-life crisis, trying to re-live my youth. By no means. It was just, after two years of constant scrutiny by so-called colleagues, possible to be at work and just to be myself. You know, maybe singing quietly with the music on the computer, trying to make colleagues to join me in the chorus, bring cake and make them eat it, whether they wanted or not...just innocent stuff like that. Simple mind? I BET YA!!! But, hey, some people are in dire need of a break from life, too! My suggestion: don't use the European Union as a sponsor :)

All this sounds unfair towards my awesome wife, bringing three kids up on her own because I'm gone so much. And believe me, I feel terrible about it. We both agree, though, in the long run, it will be better, career wise, to be separated for some time instead of me being home and trying, with various degrees of success, different ways of making money.

To wrap it up for today, I should probably offer to drop me a line if you want any of the pics on the blog.

I will write one last time tomorrow and bring this to an end for now.

Last day at work...

...and it started with a BANG!!!
After getting yet another good earful about the interns' incompetence, I had to challenge our supervisor.
A few days ago, I asked him to make time for me to present my Seed Stand and Nursery presentation. I understood, we were set for today.
Apparently not so. He had, instead, an appointment with some guys from Africa, which seemed to be more important. So, very politely (yes, I can be polite!!), but fed up to my eyeballs, I told him, he has never time for issues, the interns have. He faced me and went off on how much time he volunteers for the organisation and how busy he is on the organisation's behalf. And how he doesn't get any recognition from the organisation. And by telling him, he has no time for us, I display a lack of appreciation for his efforts. Turns around and storms off. Second time this week.
I was about to tell that guy to "Póg Mo Thóin".
Professional behavior to me looks different. To be honest, no wonder this club is at the brink of disappearing into obscurity.
Fortunately, the problems are known to some of the directors of the organisation and at least a few of them are willing to try and make necessary changes.
If these changes include to axe the interns supervisor after the last of us leaves in september and suspend the operations for a few months to restructure, then drastic steps need to be taken.
It is just unfortunate, that this enterprise is the supervisor's brainchild.
Well, after everything calmed down (about 2 hours later, as that guy was upsetting another intern, too), I was finally able to present my Seed Stand and Nursery results to a willing albeit biased audience. I did receive my nod of approval and my immediate superior seemed well pleased and thoughtful about what I had to say.
And because this was my last day at work, I received as a good-bye gift two books: one about Irish landscapes from a birds-eye perspective (really nice) and the second about remarkable trees in Southern Africa.That one, I have to take time to look into. Each book contained a handwritten sentiment expressing the appreciation for my work.



Picture-time:

Tonight, I think, I have to retire earlier than yesterday- or was it this morning? We had a pizza and just had endless fun chats.
Funny, how the same applies as I was leaving for Ireland: I'm excited to go and see my fam again. But at the same time, I'm a bit sad, because I have unfinished business (see top) and met some great people.
Looking in the mirror, I am in desparate need of a haircut and a close shave. The shave, I might fix tonight. Haircut has to wait a little.

One last picture for today:

From left to right: Marie-Sophie (aka Molly- Sophie), the friendly Irish superior Stephen, Laetitia (aka Humphrey) and me

What to say...

Another day of glorious Irish sunshine. And of course, the weather didn't really help to lift my spirits. That's when my goofy alter-ego kicks in. Worked for a while.
Okay, enough sentimental journey.
So, yesterday's 4D- movie. I was supposed to meet my friend at 2130 hrs to attend a show, basically any show.
I got there by 2115 hrs and guess what: shutters down, everything locked and bolted. Dublin as a touristy metropolis? A slight dissapointment.
At work, I was able to have my Seed Stand presentation long-distance previewed by my supervisor back home. Seems, I did a good job. I might post it at the end of the tour.
Yesterday, I got souvenirs for my kids and wife and was told, the shirt I got for my older boy would be too small. So, I had to go and return it.
In case of curiosity, here are the things I got the kids. I won't reveal the gift for my wife; that's supposed to be a surprise.

For the baby

For the older boy

For my daughter

For my daughter's upcoming birthday- an Irish Shamrock

As you can tell, my activities slowly but surely are limited to a very small radius.
Today, we planned on having a Pizza- movie-party. Seems, I mixed up the damn brit times: I always have to double- check what "half six" means. Is that five 30 or 6 thirty? Why not say as taught in school half past whatever the hour..
So, now, I play the waiting game.

Here's a little more Irish for you:

I'm like Tony the Tiger...

I feel Grrrrreat! :)
On the way to work, I was finally able to take a few pictures, I wanted to shoot for a while.

The only big tree with enough space to grow, as far as I was able to see

The complete contrast- that could be the next issue adressed by the company I'm working for

Knowing about some people's obsession with doors: Christchurch Cathedral side entrance

Nicest place in town

Something fascinating about the set-up

At work, we had another meeting with the intern supervisor. Funny enough, he was his usual self and after I asked him a few very specific questions about his organisation and management, he rather quickly had to leave and wasn't seen again. Even though his co-director had a few issues to discuss with him. Interesting, when old people think, they are ""Jack-the-lad" and are just "Jack-you-brat". :)
I mean, all last week and yesterday, I was preparing my presentation on Seed Stand certification and when I want to adress the matter, there is no time. Really? You want us to bring your organisation forward, or what? Or is it just another "opportunity" for you to teach young people a lesson?
Be it as it may, I was told and did type up an assessment about the company's potential. Being my diplomatic self (stop laughing already, will you?), I tried hard to clearly adress the potential I see in a nice way.
After all, the interns are some sort of ambassadors for the company. If we are treated good, we will tell other able people to come or come not and join. Me, I would gladly come back and participate and contribute more. It is kind of fun to be part of a bigger thing than its elements.
Anyways, after work, I did some touristy stuff and got some souvenirs for the family.
Tonight, some friends and I will go to a 4D-theater. I'm kinda excited to experience a shaking movie theater. Even if it's just the seats shaking and me jumping to the ceiling. 

Wrapping things up..

Slowly but surely, I'm getting ready to see my family again.
During my first week, I suggested to build a donations box to be set up in local businesses to boost the finances.
Well, today, I received word from the carpenter across the street. And I had to have  aquick sit-down: he would ask for 70 Euros for a box the size of my lunchbox! Well, you've seen the draft, maybe. 70 EUROS!!! His suggested material would be mahogany a wood grown in the tropics, really nice and sturdy. You could use it for garden furniture, too. I definitely need to talk to management about it.
On the plus-side, it would help a local business to stay on the market.
I definitely finished my nusery presentation. In it, I at first suggested to have the Seed Stand to be certified to raise trees which could be sold. But that would bring in only very little money. We're talking 50 cents per tree.
The alternative is to hage people donate money for the trees to be planted. A website asked for 34 Euros for a tree. That's a bit more plausible, if on the hefty side. If the donor paid 34 Euros, we'd have to make sure, the trees will also get planted.
So, pricewise, somewhere between 50 cents and 34 Euros would be a good thing. I would say.
BUT, to take it  a step further, the Seed Stand still should be certified and, if at all possible, managed so it could be FSC certified. NOW, that is sustainability, because it would employ a forestry worker at first to clear the Stand of unwanted trees and later to harvest the seeds as well as thinning out dying trees.
I also found out, that it IS possible to leave comments on the blog. I even answered- 2 weeks later. BUT, I DID answer :)
As I said, wrapping things up.  

Weekend trip, part 3 and 4

The wheels on the Paddywagon go round and round, round and round, round and round...In fact, they go around so fast, I didn't even have time to write yesterday.
So, me troopers, how was the craig? Did we all have a good time in Derry?
That was Seanie asking us how things went in Derry. He's a funny guy.
Okay, we left (London)Derry on the Paddywagon and headed down to Galway. That was a bit of a bonus, because the 3-day-trippers weren't supposed to go there. But we had to change buses into a daytrip bus and that could only happen in Galway.
On the way to Galway, Seanie kept entertaining us with Irish folklore.
For example, he sang his Fish song to us. I tried to upload it, but wouldn't work, so here's the link. It's pretty unique in its own ways: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erap1-QCxWc
He tried to teach the guys to say: Is cailín deas tú...which is pronounced Iss kol-leen dyass too. That would translate into: You are a pretty girl.
Enough already.
What did we see?
For example this:

He was a Nobel Prize recipient and supposedly wrote his best stuff AFTER he received the price.
Because the weather wasn't really all that great, we pretty much headed straight down to Galway.
There, we took a few pics and waited for the connecting bus.
Galway coast:

I liked this fella, the rest of Galway is just a huge tourist trap:

Returning to Dublin, I pre-arranged a dinner appointment with a co-worker of mine. Cheap us, we bought 2 subs for the price of one at Papa John's. And had a good talk for about 2 hours. The common agreement was that we have to do that kind of thing again. Which puts me slightly under pressure, because my time is drawing to an end and I will finally see my family again in about a week.
The appointment was kind of like a Daughter-Daddy-date and I now know what to look forward to when my girl is at the age of sharing wisdom.
Mark Twain once said: "When I was 18, my dad was so stupid. When I was 21, he was really smart. It's amazing how much my dad learned in those 3 years."
Monday, which is today, ya know, me troopers, I had another day off. So, I decided it was time to take care of another item on my list:
I was allowed to go to Ireland under the condition of going to Bray to the south of Dublin and take LOTS of pics.
If the term wasn't so misleading, I would say : MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. I rather say, okay, done.

That hill, I was supposed to get onto and take pictures of the sea from.

The trail-just sayin' ya know?!

Damn noisy kids drove me off the real top

After the mountain, I went to walk to Graystone, a city about 6 k away. Took me a while to get there, but while on the way, I was FINALLY able to see some "hands-on" Irish scenery.

All time while walking in the hills, I tried to sing popsongs in my head. The only songs, though, I could come up with REALLY were, again, Molly Malone and this one:

Which is funny, because last night, I again was asked about the eternal nature of my marriage. I try not to bring up my religion too much because I think having one passion is quite enough for people to handle. In my case nature. My friend asked, if the Eternity thing also works for friends. I explained briefly about our temples and how I was married in one. The friends thing, I said, I wished sometimes would work, too. But that hasn't been invented, yet.

Greystone

Hurts me to see the "barren" mountains being man-made

What ever it is, it's pretty

This one and the next, I think are part of one of my favorite movies

After taking the above pictures, the batteries on the seasoned international traveller's camera died. So much about preparation.
Over all , I walked about 15 or so ks today. Much nicer than walkimg 40-something on the Dublin Mountains Way, as the original plan was.
On the train, my allergies were catching up with me and I was rubbing my eyes like crazy. A lady gave me a tissue to help get the pollen out. She was suffering the same problem.
As she got off the train, she even handed me the last of her lunch. REALLY salty fries and some spicy, I think, meat patty. At first, I was a bit suspicious, but, hey, I was hungry...:)
So, as of tomorrow, I'll be back in the office- ordinary life with unordinary people..One might think.