The Curse

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Saturday. Today I decided to take a rail trip down the coast from Dublin to Wexford. The first half of this trip hugs the coast, and is said to be one of the most scenic routes in Ireland. I took the suburban train from a station nearby, Portmarnock, to Dublin, then switched onto the intercity service. The journey was quite pleasant, with spectacular coastal scenery, and later pretty farming country along some rivers.

Wexford is on the coast, and features fishing trawlers and seabirds, as well as a pleasant shopping centre and some history. I read that it was in Wexford that the Irish declared a republic in 1798, a move mercilessly repressed by the British occupiers, and leading to a huge number of political prisoners, many of whom were transported to the penal colonies in Australia, very much impacting on our own history, with Australia becoming a significant component of the Irish diaspora. Their presence impacted greatly on social, religious and political life in Australia, well into the twentieth century.

I have discovered the difficulties of driving and parking in Ireland. Narrow roads with no shoulders, nowhere to pull off the road, very poor sight-lines at intersections, nowhere to do u-turns, almost no parking, and no free parking anywhere near a town. It's all a bit difficult really.

The sunny weather has followed me from France - not a cloud in the sky all day today. The locals are loving it - you should have seen all the people along the coast, walking, sitting, enjoying the sun. However, it was only 11 degrees! It's really rather cold for an Aussie, and not really 'outside weather' by our standards.

Those of you who were on the school trip with me will know that I had several issues with losing things / leaving things behind. So much so that you will recall I considered that I was cursed. Today I left my Bonjour la France 2015 souvenir jacket on the intercity train. My host rang the railway station for me as soon as I got back. I am hoping the cleaners find it - I was able to tell the rail people exactly where it was left. Of course they won't be open until Monday for me to find out. I am sticking to the 'cursed' theory.

For those returning to school on Monday – good luck, see you in Week 7! Tomorrow I plan to go to Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, and pray for the lifting of ‘the curse’…

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Comments

[Graeme Judd]

Great Times
Hi John, It has been great reading your blog. The school trip seems to have gone really well, and you have had such good weather! Ireland sounds interesting - I haven't been there so I am reading your entries with great interest. Keep enjoying your travelling, and I hope all the missing possessions return. Cheers, Graeme

[Lana]

Enjoyed reading your blog and looking at your photos of the France school trip. We arrived safely back in Sydney last night after a smooth trip, despite the delays in Paris getting through security and of course the anticipated confiscation of one bullet casing at Sydney airport customs! Hope the driving in Ireland becomes easier & "the curse" is lifted following your visit to church. Ireland looks beautiful. Travel well. Lana.

[Patricia Papeix]

Desolee!
Je suis vraiment desolee pour toi John! I feel your pain about losing your jacket John and I will ask Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland) and Saint Jude (patron saint of lost causes) to intervene for you. Fingers crossed!