Inching toward the end
I’m inching my way forward with this new book. It’s getting there, one page at a time. I can’t wait for two weeks from now when I get to blast forward at warp speed. Summer, here I come! In the meantime, I’m trying my darndest not to throw things at my middle schoolers. Papers, pens, flaming torches. You get the idea. 
You see, this is the SLACKER phase of the school year. This week marks the point when nobody cares any more. There isn’t all that much left, just one more unit to finish teaching, one more test, and then exams. The kids are at the stage where I give the directions once, repeat it for those who didn’t hear me the first time, and then proceed to increase my blood pressure as another child asks, “What were we supposed to do again?” Daggers and swords start shooting from my eyes at that point. I don’t like repeating myself. It’s such a waste of effort. Once or twice, fine. Sometimes people don’t get it. But by the fifth time, look out! 
Ahem. Yes, summer break is coming. And I am drooling because the dh and I are talking about going to Ireland. Bliss! Rapture! Guinness, Bushmills, and Bailey’s Irish Cream! 
Okay, so there are priorities here. Although technically, I think drinking Guinness is like sucking on dead hay. Others may disagree.
Planning vacations are so much fun. I can’t wait to see what we come up with. The one thing that concerns me is driving in Ireland. The left side of the road intimidates me. And those narrow roads! Scary thought.
For those of you who have toured/traveled through Ireland, how did you solve the driving dilemma?
Michelle posted in Writing @ 7:49 pm | Viewed 2689 times
Crystal* Says:
Pack me in the suitcase, please. I’ll hardly be any trouble at all. I’ll sleep outside. *sigh*
Okay. At least bring back LOTS of pictures to put on your blog.
Grins*
Michelle Styles Says:
Driving on the left is not that hard.
The thing to remember is the driver’s side is the one closest to the centre of the road. And if you are in a smaller car, the narrow lanes are not so bad. Also keep a mental note of possible places where you can pull off to the sides. Some places like the Outer Hebrides have one lane roads with places to pull off to the side if you see another car coming. Having not been to Ireland, Roundabouts are easy. YOu give way to vechiles from the right, so look that way.
Stacy Says:
Never been but it sounds wonderful!
beth Says:
I’ll come and be your chauffeur!
That would solve all the driving problems.
It’s really not that bad - the only thing I would seriously reccommend is to pay the extra ~$100 and get an automatic. If you don’t specifically make sure to reserve an automatic, you’re going to get a manual transmission and spend a lot of your trip stalling out while unrolling your window. Not that we did that a lot or anything. Nope. Didn’t happen. Really.
As for the roads, they’re not so bad after the first day - you seriously get used to them. Just don’t be afraid to pull off into the hedges, the locals do.
That and most locals will know you’re not from around there because every rental car has more rental car stickers on its hind end than can be believed. This is a good thing. When your car says AVIS all over it, people tend to steer clear.
Courtney Hunt Says:
Cars over there are very tiny to match the little tiny roads that you’ll be driving on:-) It’s actually not that difficult. My friend and I drove from Dublin down the south coast and back to Dublin. A few not to be missed sites: Cliffs of Mohr, Book of Kells (at Trinity University in Dublin), the gorgeous Ring of Kerry, Inaculin Isle (it’s a island devoted to these amazing massive gardens) and the Waterford factory.
One thing to keep in mind when planning though—it looks like you’ll be able to easily cover vast distances b/c you’re used to dealing with American interstates and roads. It takes much longer to get anywhere over there.
Kelly Says:
Och! Ireland! Wow…I’m so jealous. Green with envy as it were. I’ve never been so I can’t help you solve your dilemma, but the trip sounds like so much fun!
Chris Keach Says:
LOL on the school stuff. I start getting to that phase after spring break! Two more weeks. You can do it!
And about Ireland? I hate you! I so want to go now. I’m planning to go next summer so you’ll have to tell me all about it!
Melissa Says:
OOHHHH, I am completely envious! I would LOVE to go to Ireland. I even applied to grad school in Ireland (and sadly, did not get accepted.) Hope you have tons of fun!!!
I don’t, however, envy you your last week of school with a bunch of middle schoolers!
Tori Lennox Says:
It sounds heavenly! Bring me back a hot, sexy Irishman, please.
April Says:
I’ve only toured Ireland in my dreams. But I hope to make it real someday. Make Tori’s order a double, please
Danica Says:
Oh I am so jealous!
Michelle Says:
I’m so excited, I’ve been making travel plans instead of writing. Bad Michelle! Bad, bad!:fryingpan: