Dear Volcanic Ash

Please stay away from UK and Spanish airspace over the next fortnight. I will be on holiday and would like to make it there and back on the dates and times I booked.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Kathleen

The Birds and the . . . Bats . . .???

The previous 24 hours have been a bit rough. First, I think I may have accidentally killed a bat in what I can only assume was a most horrific death. Second, I had the misfortune of being an assistant murderer to a greenfinch. Not the best days work for an environmentalist.

First the bat: I was hanging up my wet laundry to dry when, at the bottom of my basket, I noticed something furry and black - a bat! It wasn't moving and I assume it didn't enjoy the spin cycle of my washing machine! The only thing I can think of is that a) it was already in the washing machine before I got there or b) it somehow climbed into my pile of dirty clothes and I put it in the washing machine myself, closed the lid, and pressed start! Either way, if it was alive when it went in, it was a horrible way to go. I feel pretty terrible!

The day after this happened, a green finch got stuck inside one of our rooms at work. Me, being the environmental goody goody that I am decided that I must rescue it and restore my good name. (The week before I had rescued a warbler from a similar situation). Alas, redeeming myself was just not to be. The bird was too high up for me to reach, so I asked my boss to get it for me. He put my jacket over the bird, but he didn't have a tight enough grip and the bird flew away . . . straight into the window with a horrible smack. It fell to the ground, looking a bit stunned, then shuddered a few times and was still. All of this happened in front of my coworker's primary school daughter. Oh yes, things just keep getting better and better!

*hangs head in shame*

On the bright side . . . Spain and Morocco in two days!

Summer is here (I hope)

I don't want to speak too soon, but I feel it should be noted that this weekend has been one the most glorious and sun filled weekends I have had in Northern Ireland. I'm talking sunshine all day both Saturday and Sunday, which is more than enough to get me excited, but on top of that, the temperature has been around 25 degrees each day - that's well hot for NI.

I celebrated this particular spike in the temperature by donning shorts and flip flops for the first time this year. I even walked down to the village in them, showing off my white pasty legs which are so in need of a good tan. However, when I got to the village I felt a little out of place. Not a single other person was sporting shorts. Everyone had jeans on, and I think I caught a few funny looks from the locals too. Do they not where shorts in this country? Did I miss something in the tourist brochure that said "WARNING: Shorts are banned here"? They can keep there jeans - when the sun's out and it's hot, I'll be working on my tan in my shorts!

In -hopefully - related good weather news, I am off to Spain and Morocco on Saturday!!!!!!! By the copious amount of exclamation points I used in that sentence, I hope you get the impression I am excited. I am still concerned about the volcanic ash, but I know I can't do anything about it, so I just have to wait and see. Hopefully the airspace will remain open between here and Malaga, Spain on Saturday. I definitely need the holiday and I am looking forward to traveling with my friend from Canada who is going to meet me there!

Bring on the sunshine and sangria!

Dear Jen

Thank you for being my second loyal reader. I appreciate you keeping tabs on me and I look forward to our next adventure . . . in whatever country that happens to be in!

Miss you (but I will see in you in August - volcanic ash willing!)

PS I dedicate my Aix photos to you. :-) Better late than never!

Dear Vanessa

I only have a few seconds to post this, so I just wanted to say to my one (and only?) loyal reader that I am sorry for not posting during this past month. I will post properly soon and hopefully be as good a friend as Jen. :)

(please don't scold me anymore)

Miss you!