GP WORK IN CALLAN AND THURLES

Heading South from Dublin we arrived after dark in a little village called Callan, Co Kilkenny, where David had one day's work. Then back up to Dublin for the Saturday to try to sort out the laptop and to see the BODIES exhibition. The exhibit was underwhelming and expensive.

On Sunday David worked in Carlow for the after hours service called CareDOC [doctors on call].

Sunset outside Carlow

The next week we were in a town in Co Tipperary [remember the song "Its a long, long way to Tipperary"?] called Thurles [pron turr-les]. The GP allowed us to stay in his home for the week, which gave us a lot more freedom than we had in the B&B.

Catholic Church in Thurles main street

Fortified tower

Several Gypsey groups in the area live in groups of scruffy caravans. Many ride at top speed down narrow country lanes on a horse-drawn buggies that look like bent poles.

Weekend CareDOC shifts were in the coastal town of Wexford 2 hours away. On the Sunday morning, which was icy but clear, we went for a crisp walk in the grounds of Johnstown Castle.

Feeling frozen!

We found a Monkey Puzzle tree and some peacocks,

and many magnificent trees in the grounds.

David's shift in Wexford only ended at midnight and he had to be back in Callan by 0900 which was 2 hours away!

The week in Callan was in the busiest GP practice in the SE. Ena Heron our hostess is a delight and shared many insights about Irish life, and taught Sandi where to find all the best bargains. Sandi went to the market with her to collect more ducks and chickens for her farm, to join the sheep and donkeys. Sandi volunteered to amuse Ena's grandson with playdough.

Ena's grandson Jamie

One evening we set off for Delaney's Pub at Slate Quarry on a deserted country road, arriving at 2055. There was no sign of life and we thought that maybe the renowned Thursday music night was not on that night. At 2100 the door of this very old pub creaked open and the lights went on. People started arriving and by 2230 there was a merry crowd.

Ena, Sandi and Ena's friend Louis

The old 80 something man squeezed the accordion with such gnarled fingers, yet the toe-tapping Irish jigs just flowed out. He was accompanied by another old geezer on the fiddle and the barman was brilliant on the piano, occasionally remembering to serve at the bar.

Then suddenly voice broke out from the small crowd, and we were entertained with a succession of soloists singing ballads from yesteryear!

We felt very priviledged to have been part of such a special night, and reluctantly left well after midnight.

After the mild weather for 2 weeks we were thrilled to see snow falling on 2 days during the week.

Snow on the back lawn