Day 9: Backing the wrong horse.

 I had to go to Athlone to get my second vaccine.

I'd have travelled ANYWHERE to get it!

Afterwards I travelled on to Roscommon to Helena and Mike's. On the way I had a little moment when I thought to myself

"Am I supposed to be travelling this far?"

Answer: YES. Inter-county travel is now permitted. Relax.

On Sunday Helena and I were travelling into Carrick-on-Shannon. Mike asked us to place a bet on a horse for him.

Now, Helena and I are no strangers to the races but we wouldn't really be "bookie" girls. But we decided to brave it.

We placed Mike's bet and then decided to have a little flutter ourselves. The first problem that we encountered was that there were no Irish races on today. Little as we know about Irish horses, we know even less about English ones. Not to be outsmarted we studied the lists that were on the wall and chose our horses, based 100% on their names.

We placed our bets and then sat down to watch the first one on the screens.

Imagine our shock when they suddenly changed and they were all showing GREYHOUND racing instead of the horses!

We really had no idea whether we had backed horses or dogs! And we were too embarrassed to ask anyone. 

Blonde Bimbos!

We stood our ground for a few moments and eventually discovered we had actually backed.....horses!

Phew!

And here's me, later on that day,  buying a yacht out of my winnings........NOT!

Day 11: PIGS IN BLANKETS MUSIC FESTIVAL 2021

 Today I went to the first PIGS IN BLANKETS music festival.....and I'm already looking forward to next year!

What on earth.....? I hear you ask.

Well, in this unprecedented year of the pandemic, there have been many things and events that we couldn't do in school that we would normally finish the year with....

Baconsvision

Baconstown's Got Talent

to name but a few.

Taking our Taoiseach's advice, my class decided to go for "an outdoor summer" theme and so we opted for our own music festival. Hey, it's outdoor!

Our first task was to come up with a catchy name. Having looked at the names of other festivals, we decided that it had to refer to our school, Baconstown. Also it should have a connection to food 

( Electric Picnic, I'm looking at you). 

Seeing as we were going to bring in sheets and blankets to pitch our "tents" in the camping area, the class voted on the name 

Pigs in Blankets

which you have to agree, is quite brilliant.

So they then set about rehearsing their acts. The range of songs they came up with meant that one couldn't really classify the festival as any particular genre! It included, among many other classics

Drivers Licence - Olivia Rodrigo

England's Football anthem (!)

The Silage Song - The 2 Johnnies.

I suppose if you had to classify it, it would be

Electric Picnic meets Euros 2021 meets Kilbeggan Country Music Festival!

There were many important life lessons to be learned from this experience!

I have mentioned that they had to learn to pitch their"tent" under challenging circumstances, in the school field. The fact that it took them several attempts and many of them still collapsed, will only prepare them for what will probably happen in years to come.

They got their festival ticket the day before the big event. Some of them asked it they could leave them in the classroom until the actual day. I didn't let them.

Now before you brand me as being heartless, let me explain why. I wanted them to be responsible, look after their ticket and remember to bring it with them to the festival. It might save them the panic and heartbreak of someday turning up at the airport to fly to Amsterdam, only to discover at the check in desk that they had left their ticket (and their friend's ticket) at home on the kitchen table!!! Real life story

Then on the day of the festival their ticket was handed over for the all important wristband (which they designed themselves).

Again I stressed how important it was to keep your wristband on, in case you had to leave the festival field and wanted to get back in.

On the big day they all arrived into school in their festival gear. I could tell a lot about their parents younger years by the outfits their children were wearing!

I'm sorry I can't show any photos of them, GDPR! You'll just have to imagine, based on what you would wear!

The festival site was easy to find! There may have been a few near accidents as cars were slowing down to catch a glimpse as to what on earth was going on.

After the tents were pitched, we made our way to the main stage area for the headline acts of the day.

This was then followed by some (a lot of) food and drink. Judging by the amount of sugar they consumed, some of them were buzzing as much as if they had been to a "grown up" festival!

Disclaimer: Parents, I apologise for the evening you must have had with them!  Again, it's practise for years to come!

Then the music was pumped out and we danced...and danced.

I never want to hear that  &*$@in song  " Friday Saturday Sunday" again!!!

When the Infants parents arrived at 1,30 to pick up their kids, they stood longingly at the fence and asked if they could join us. They were met with a resounding

"You can't come in unless you have a wristband!"

Ahh yes, I have taught them well.

So we had an afternoon of singing, dancing, food, fizzy drinks, blowing bubbles and face painting.

Many thanks to Ms Bushe who spent her day painting flowers, butterflies, love hearts and tractors onto their faces!

They sang their way home, already talking about next year!

I know they may not remember that I taught them long multiplication, shapes that tessellate and the Briathra Neamhrialta in the Aimsir Chaite.

But if they remember their first music festival, PIGS IN BLANKETS 2021, then I will have done my job!

Day 23: You can't beat a good old romp!

 We were all delighted when, a few months back, my niece Emma announced that she was pregnant.

As it was during Lockdown,  I decided to take on another Lockdown project and knit something for the baby. The problem was all the shops were closed so there was nowhere to get  a knitting pattern. We were clearing out some of Mam's things and I found a book of her knitting patterns. I was thrilled and brought it home to peruse it for something suitable.

I texted Marese ( expectant granny) and exclaimed

"I'm going to knit a romper suit!"

The reply I got back....

"For yourself?"

Now , I know I pride myself in coming up with outfits for special occasions but I am deadly serious when I say...

If you EVER see me in a hand-knitted romper suit, you have my full permission to slap me in the face.....with a shovel!

Baby Sadie is a month old at this stage and I have eventually finished the romper suit. Luckily I made it a bit bigger to fit her.

When I say "bigger" I mean, big enough to fit a 6 month old, not a 56 year old!!!

Day 24: The first sign of summer

 For many people the sighting of a swallow is the first sign of summer.

Not for me!

I know that summer is here when I spot Nadal doing what he does best, on a European tennis court.

Perfect way to spend a Bank Holiday Saturday! 

What will I do when he retires?

Day 25 : The Lough Ennell Monster

 Move over Nessie. There's a new monster in town!

While out walking in Belvedere I spied this strange sight in the lake. A long hooked neck and many humps on its back. Could it be another lake monster?

Okay, so I may be exaggerating a little bit. But hey, Lough Ness has been thriving on the back of its monster for centuries.

See, practically identical!

I'm sure a few carefully placed rumours will see Westmeath's tourist industry thrive in the coming months. 

God knows, we need it! 

Day 27: Indoor dining at its best.

 I've just eaten inside a hotel!

Now before you rush to report me let me explain.

I went to Mullingar Park Hotel to donate blood. For years I was never able to donate as I had feck all blood myself! Problem was sorted, so when the pandemic started last year I felt I had to do my civic duty and help out any way I could. When I heard the appeal for blood donations I decided to try again. I was accepted! In fact this was my fourth time to donate since.

When I was adequately drained of the life fluid, I was offered tea, biscuits and crisps. Obviously it's to help keep sugar levels up and prevent me from fainting.

So as I sat drinking out of my paper cup and chatting to the person at the next table I realised that this was the first dining experience I had in over six months.

And boy did it feel good!

Roll on next week when we at least can share outdoor dining.

Though, depending on the Irish weather, that may not be a daily event!