Its Actually not that Far

Easter weekend was a good opportunity to head out of town for a few days, so being the religious heathens we are, a booze drinking trip down to cork seemed the perfect way to celebrate Jesus’ big day (s). So we packed up on the Saturday morning (15^th April) and headed down south in Stevo's postman pat van. We decided to take a leisurely approach, and do some sight seeing on the way down. We stopped at Cashel, to see the 'The Rock of Cashel', a 4th century fort looking over the city. Lovely spot, so after scouting around the ruins for an hour it was off down the road towards cork. Passing this sign below

prompted the familiar quote, "It's a long way to Tipperary", in fact it was only 20km. Unable to come up with a reason not to and hindsight rearing its painful head again, we decided we would check out the town. After settling down for some grub in one of the local pubs, and reading the lonely planets highlights of the town, which consisted of a grisly old statue and some swimming pools, it was decided that perhaps Tipperary is Ireland's most disappointing location! Ah, no bother! Probably been built up over the years by the old WW1 marching song.......can’t remember the words…but you get the gist!

I digress, so off to Cork, 2nd largest city in Ireland. Manu (Adrian Kamariera) has been living down here for a few months now, and was keen to show the boys the highlights and fast.

A quick bite at local chicken gaff, which turned out to be the only eating establishment to see our mouths all weekend (3 visit’s…..shit it was the best chicken ever tasted, sober or not!), we were out on the gas with Manu and friends. Queue a painful darts game, and god awful dancing at the local disco bar, Club Havana. Yes folks, it was as unoriginal as it sounded. But the reality of being in a bar with people, who are a full decade younger, does strange things to ones confidence….off home lads!

The nest day we had the Annual Cork beer festival on, now we told Manu that we were coming down to see him, but who can compete with a beer festival. With an all day affair of BBQ and 30 odd beers to sample, Harbott and myself new an early start was required. So after arriving at 6pm (Fashionably late folks) we missed the BBQ, we decided to make up for it by hoeing into the 9% Alcohol beer provided…..on empty stomach no less. We hung around for a while before heading off to the well known Brew Bar/Hostel. This place is run by some kiwi lads from Taranaki, good times ahead folks.

I also must add that this day was my 10,000 day on the planet, so to say I was excited was rather lame way to put it. Got a few shots care of the owner on that one, think it might be starting to catch on…..anyway we stayed in there for the rest of the night, listing to the authentic Irish band, being invited to the lock-in (Our first) and just general mayhem till we got shoved out around 4pm. The rest of the night involved another grubby feed from the chicken shop, and a rather drunken hour spent in the local internet call shop ringing any number in our cell phones. 30Euro later (that’s a lot) we had burnt bridges and abused friends, all class. Apologies again from the lads if you received a call, if not then we must have the wrong numbers for you…..we’ll find them!!!!

Anyway, the 4 hour car ride home was particularly hellish for myself, with a hangover that would kill a small buffalo, it was akin to raising from the dead which was rather appropriate given it was Easter Monday. Harbott was right as rain though, which didn’t help me at all.