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Upgrade  your account to contact any members ¦ Unsubscribe  by changing your email subscriptions You still have unread messages Angelia189 Female, 24 View photo now! Click the button to read immediately before it is deleted! Read message now You can send Flirtcasts and winks to all members for Free. Unsubscribe by changing your email subscriptions ¦ Privacy policy ¦ Terms of Use Bulova Invest Ltd (SoisSecret), P.O. Box 146 Trident Chambers, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands Tel: +33 9620682835; your user id: 3073182714

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Decent Weather at last

Decent weather for a couple of days at least. Managed to get a 40km spin in last night in shorts, no shoe covers and fingerless gloves. First time since I don't know when.

We went up and did Ryehill. I managed to knock 20 secs off previous best so happy out with progress being made on the bike this year.

Still here!!

It's another one of those "Well it's been a while since my last post.....yada yada yada....." The plan is to use the blog to track my progress to hitting target of 80kg before March 2014's Cycle to Lourdes. The cycle is due to be launched this evening in Lourdes as the trust is currently out there for the annual pilgrimage. So the plan is to loose 20kg between now and March 2014 - just under 12 months... So here goes..

Class

Cool pic

Back on the road....again....

Well, it's been a while since the last post. And a bit has happened since then... My son Donnacha was born and is now just over a year old. I trained for and cycled to Lourdes, France for the charity IHCPT. And none of it recorded. I've decided to re-do the cycle in 2014 (it's ran every two years). But since I returned from France back in April I've done very little on the bike. A few kilos were put on as the planned month off the bike turned into a few months off the bike. So to that end I hit the gym about 6 weeks ago and have dropped the kilos gained. I was back on the bike for a couple of spins last week. I dropped the bike into the Cycle Superstore in Tallaght yesterday to give it a good once over before hitting the road again. I'm also going to try and keep the blog updated, particularly with how training is going as the plan is to do the cycle to Lourdes at about 85-90 kilos so that's about 20 kilos to drop between now and then. As it's not until March 2014 that is, I think, very achievable. Next week I'm off to Barcelona for a long weekend so lots to look forward to - both short term and long term. Adios, for now.....

Doing a bit....

Well I've kept up with the regular spins. Averaging over 200km most weeks which is not too bad.
Was supposed to be doing the SkyRide in Clare today but with numero 3 due to have arrived last Friday I had to pull out. Was a bit disappointed as the SkyRide was the first sportive I signed up for way back in October last year.
Hopefully baby will arrive today so it will not have been missed in vain!!

Quick Spin

Nothing major today - just a short 30km spin. Was going grand until turned for home at Killtullagh. Feckin headwind against me again. Not having much luck with the wind these days.
Before I got out for a spin though had to fix puncture. Had a puncture last week and fixed at roadside. Must have strained nozzle or something because it was pancake like when I went to the bike this evening.

This is my stats for last 30 days:
Progress Summary Report
Count: 16 Activities
Distance: 607.00 km
Time: 22:37:45 h:m:s
Elevation Gain: 3,289 m
Avg Speed: 26.8 km/h
Avg HR: 138 bpm
Avg Bike Cadence: 74 rpm
Calories: 18,971 C

Happy enough with them. Have to try and get cadence up. Jigsaw cycle coming up on Sunday week. 100km event so looking forward to that. Ge

Getting out with the Seven Springs CC tomorrow and again on Saturday - I hope. Weather looks good for the week so should be able to get a few more kms under the belt.

Came across a post on boards.ie about Mark Beaumont. He cycled the length of the Americas. First 2 episodes have been very enjoyable. I'd watch the third right now but it;s after 12 and my bed is calling.

I'll post an update later in the week.

Later

Spin

Got out a few times during the week after partaking in the Tour de Burren last weekend.
Today's Spin

Seven Springs Cycling Club

Have been getting out on the bike a bit in the last couple of weeks. Trying to get a couple of hundred kms every week.
Keeping average pace and cadence up to decent levels.
In an effort to keep it going and to get better I've joined up with a cycle club from Loughrea. Have been out on two spins with them. Very sound bunch of lads.
Heading down to Clare on Saturday doing the Tour de Burren - one of the An Post series cycles. Looking forward to it.
I'll post how I get on.....

Pinarello Dogma

Blah Blah Blah

Blah been a while blah blah

Captain's Prize

Captain's Prize weekend coming up. Playing reasonably well. It would be great to carry the good form I've had lately into this comp. We'll have to wait and see.

F1 Testing

Was at Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona over the weekend for the F1 testing session. Absolutely class.
Video of the McClaren team practice their pitstop.

Good Morning!!

Test Blog

Trying to post via iPhone

Here goes...

Sent from my iPhone

New Golfing Year

With more than half of February gone I'm hoping that the worst of the weather is behind us and we can finally get back out on the course with some regularity.
The Captains drive in is on this weekend with the weekly 18 hole comps starting up the week after.
Hopefully the weather will hold up for the driver in. Course was closed today due to frost.
Will be hitting hte range once if not twice a week for the next month to help get back in the "swing" of things.
Am really going to try and get down to 11 this year. Fingers crossed

Skiing 2010

Well we made it back in one piece. Which is always good.
Worst fall I had all week was slipping on way home from pub on the Friday night!!
Plenty of snow and sunshine too. So conditions were really ideal. We were pretty much up on the slopes all week. Latest we made it up was 9.45 and we were up there till around 4 most days so got plenty of skiing in.

Few pics of week

A New Year

So it's 2010. A new year.
What to do. Well for starters I'm going to try and get down to 12. And then try and play of it.
It'll take a good bit of effort. But having not put much effort in last year and still shaving 2 shots off I'm definitely ready for the challenge.
I finished 2009 off well - I was striking the ball well and managed a few good results which got me in to the top ten of golfer of the year. Considering there is over 600 members I think it's not too bad.

Another goal is to try and update the blog regularly - not necessarily because of I have hundreds tuning in for an update. I'd like to have a good record of how the year has gone. I look back on some of my earlier posts and can read back good accounts of my golfing exploits.
Anyway that's the plan.

Later

Bird in the house!!

Class Video

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Lesson

Hey all!!

I was in for a golf lesson on Tuesday. Talk about value for money.
All year I have been very solid with my irons. But have been a bit suspect off the tee. Basically any time I put a driver or a three wood in my hand it can range from very good to plain awful.
In 5 mins Gary ( The Pro ) had spotted the problem. An issue with how I gripped the club. Apparently I have two grips - one for when i'm hitting irons and one for off the tee.

So now that he fixed that problem I have no more excuses......

Golfing This Morning!!!

Morning All!!

Out for a round of golf this morning.
Haven't managed to play at all since last weekend. Nice weather all week for golf.
I'll give you three guesses as to what it's doing out there now.

Bloody typical....

My Family

Minus me!!

Luas V Dublin Bus

Feckin mad this.
How in God's name can the drivers not see each other? It's not like they're driving small things.
A few people still seriously injured.

It's Been A While....

Well, Hello

I know it's been a while since I posted anything but well I really wasn't arsed.
I'll try and post regular ( well regular-ish) updates.

Went out for a run this evening for the first time in I don't know how long. I ran just under 4 k and made it home alive so all in all it was a pretty successful return.
Everyone seems to be out running these days so I said I might as well get on board.

Got my hands on a few new lenses so will try and get out this weekend and get a few shots. I'll post a few of the pics here.

Cillian & Caoimhe getting bigger and bolder - well not so bold - I'll stick a couple of pics up of them over the weekend.

Well, that'll about do it.

A Bit Arty

Westport

Hey,

I got to play Westport yesterday and despite all the weather forecasts - which predicted alot of rain - we managed to get around with only a couple of drops. And I mean literally a couple of drops.
Didn't get off to the best of starts and considering I have been playing well lately it was a little bit of a pisser.
I could only manage 11 points on the front nine. The bank nine was a different kettle of fish. Played very well and amassed 19 points. No where near enough to win but happy none the less.

Myself and two of the lads are heading to the Open next weekend in Turnberry, Scotland. Heading out in a camper so will be leaving for Belfast on Friday afternoon and will arrive at Turnberry for some time around 3 -we think. Am really looking forward to it.

Am playing in the Tuesday open comp this week so will try and get back to the way the blog was before and post a bit after I'm done.

Later

A New Post

Cillian out for a Swing!!

Class Weekend of Sport

What a weekend.

It started with watching Utd go down 2-0 at Fulham while having two players sent off. Continued onto discovering that Chelsea had also lost. That was followed up with the first Irish Grand Slam in over 60 years as Ireland beat Wales in nerve wrecking fashion. After this came Bernard Dunne's world title victory.
Then to my absolute delight Liverpool give Villa a thumping.

Class!!

Liverpool Today

I am absolutely delighted with today's result. To beat Utd at home at any stage is a great result. To score 4 goals in the process is unbelievable. Not to mention that the slim chance Liverpool had / have of winning the title could only continue with 3 points. I am over the moon.
Some commentators and fans will only be delighted to state that Utd slipped up rather than Liverpool totally outplayed them. They will say that it only goes to show how inconsistent Liverpool have been all season. But I point to the fact that despite not having the money to spend like Utd and Chelsea, and having drawn more games than we would like we are still hanging on in there. We knew a victory was what was required to keep the chance of a title alive. And a victory was achieved.

Utd's next game at Fulham is now huge. While they will most likely win at Craven Cottage, and most likely win the title it is not as much as a given as it was. If by some chance Fulham manage even a draw Utd then have to face a Villa side still hoping for a top 4 placing.

I can't wait.

Cillian's New Job

With all this news of a recession Cillian said he'd do his bit and help out with the bills.

Sports Photography

I gave it a shot last weekend at he Athenry B V CB Trotters match. I would really like to get into sports photography and am doing a couple of courses over the next few months - but there's nothing like getting some experience. When I get a few more matches under my belt I'm going to try and use a contact I have in Galway Utd to see if he can get me in for a couple of matches - could possibly be easier to get into a Mervue Utd match. There playing Division 1 now in League of Ireland and are playing their home matches in Terryland now as well.

Here's a few I took at the Athenry match...

Golfing This Morning!!!

But is pissing out if it.......Great

I Want It, I Want It, I Want It

NOW!!!

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!!

We didn't manage to get out tonight as we had parenting duties that couldn't be passed over for the night.
But a good night was had none the less.

The Moon over Athenry

The sky was very clear over Athenry last night and I managed to grab the this shot.

Poor Auld Keano

I was glad to see Robbie get a couple of goals this evening. He was very badly treated by Liverpool.
Although I do see why Rafa had to stick to his guns about his desire to have full control over who comes and goes at Anfield.
But never the less I did feel really sorry for Robbie when his dream move turned into a nightmare.

Now back at Spurs as captain and a couple of goals tonight - even though it wasn't his best performance in a green shirt - he'll sleep a bit happier tonight than his has done for a couple of weeks.

Fair play..

New Arrival

Rafa The Gaffa

I know people have been saying Rafa is starting to loose the plot but I think the "rant" at Fergie last week was exactly what was needed. He's coming out swinging. Fergie gets away with so much shite. Rafa could have done with beating Stoke though after laying into Slur Alex.

January 1st

Just wanted to say Happy New Year to one and all!!!

Liverpool for the title!!!
Harrington for the "Paddy Slam"

Stevie G

Tut...tut...tut...

Xmas '08

Well, Christmas Day has been and gone for another year. I think I'm going to have to build an extension for all the presents Cillian got!!
All went well on the day and Liverpool go into the new year top of the table.

So a very good Xmas it has been.

Bring on the new year.

Blogging

Have to get out of this. Blog a couple of times in a day or so and then disappear for a few months. Early new years resolution is to blog more often.

Have a look at this.

A Draw

After bossing most of the match it could be looked at 2 points lost rather than one pointed earned. But a point away from home against the 2nd best team in the group is not bad.
A win in Anfield in a fortnight's time will all but guarantee Liverpool's participation in the final 16.

Not so bad

Atletico Madrid 0 Liverpool 1

Another Robbie Keane goal puts Liverpool 1 up away from home.
Although there was a hint of off side we'll take it

Very Busy

Howya now!!

I know the posts have been lacking of late but I've been very busy between work, college, stag weekends, weddings - not to mention family life and golf.

I'm into my 6th week of the ACCA lectures and they're going well. Exams in the first week of December - so looking forward to them.....

A couple of friends got married - not to each other - which meant two Saturdays in a row. One local enough and one in Eniscrone in Sligo. Two very good days were had. Then after the two weddings there was a stag weekend in Sligo. We played the Darren Clarke designed course on Saturday morning. Very good course but as you'd expect the weather was awful and we came in after 18 holes wetter than wet.

So the last weekend and this one are relaxing ones. Nothing major to do so all good.

Hopefully this is the start of regular posts.,,,,,,.......

A Bad Round

After my recent good form on the golf course I took a couple of weeks off. Well, I say "took off", but in actual fact as to anyone who even looked out a window in the last 2 weeks, let alone go outside, will tell you it literally started raining and didn't stop.
So with a 2 week break from playing I headed out on Friday evening to blow off the cobwebs - as it was President's Prize weekend in the club.

As I hadn't played for a bit I was expecting the standard to be pretty bad. But to my surprise I played really well, shooting 2 over for 12 holes. So instead of dreading teeing it up in the Presidents the following morning I actually thought I had a chance - How wrong I was.

To be fair, I played reasonably well - but in patches. Now it definitely didn't help matters that it was bucketing down. I not going to go into the detail of it but let's just say that a 3 triple bogies and a 10 at the 10th was the death of my round.
Before yesterday I hadn't gone over 90 shots for at least 3 months - yesterday's score was a lovely 99.

Absolutely awful. Awful.......Awful..

Come on Paul Hession!!!

Athenry man Paul Hession runs in the semi-final of the 200m in Beijing today at 2.25pm.
With a small bit of luck he'll progress to the final - his gold medal.

Cillian

This picture was taken yesterday evening. He's getting big and tall. And he's now walking!!!

Yesterday

I managed to get out for 18 in yesterday's competition. Despite it blowing gales out I managed to keep under my new handicap, 16.
Shot an 85 which gives me a Net 69 - which should be good enough to feature.

2 weeks in a row - I feel my head getting bigger and bigger.......

New Driver - Taylormade Burner

Just a quick note on my new driver, a Taylormade Burner. I have the 10.5 with regular shaft.
I'm really loving this club, Bar an odd loose one I'm hitting it really well.

Long may it continue!!

A Good Bit of Progress

Over the last couple of weeks my golf has come on a lot.
While I was on a weeks holidays I managed to get out a good bit and it really paid off.

Last Sunday, in very bad weather, I had 39 points. While I was a little disappointed after the round mainly because of a blow out and three doubles in the last 7 holes, I was happy with the 39. It was good enough to get me second place - the winner also had 39 points but he had a better back 9.

Out I went again on Monday only to shoot my best round ever - a 78, playing off 16. ( I got cut down from 16.5 to 15.7 for my second place ).

Due to my unbeaten record for the club I was asked to play for the Connaught Shield team. We were playing Beana on Tuesday evening. Once again I kept up my unbeaten record winning on the 15th but unfortunately we were bet overall, 4 - 1. Disappointing but what can you do.

So I'm really looking forward to the next couple of competitions - The Christy Kelly Memorial tomorrow and the Presidents Prize in a couple of weeks. Hopefully my form will continue.

Taking it easy

A couple of decent results

After the disappointment of going out of the Pierce Purcell I was delighted keep my form in single competitions. While probably leaving a few points on the course I finished in 4th place in one of the golfer of the year comps.
Then last weekend finished joint 2nd, (3rd on a countback), in the Ballinrobe Golf club am-am.

Playing this evening so hopefully can keep it going.

Won the War, Lost the Battle

Well I managed to win my match yesterday 6&5. We played some great golf. We were only 2 over for the 13 holes. But unfortunately we lost our other match at home as well as two away, so the final result goes down as 3 1/2 to 1 1/2.

Disappointing to say the least.

Ready for off!!!

Don't ya just hate queues..

Look who just got their first car!!!

Match tomorrow

Playing next round of Pearse Purcell tomorrow. Zonal semi final
against Ouchtarard (spelling). Playing at home again. Match away at 2pm.

Fingers crossed...

It worked!!!

Just blogged directly from my iphone. Blogging on the go.

I know posts have been non-existing. But I will try and change it. If nothing else just to prove Donal wrong.

Golf's been going well over the last month or so. Made the Pearse Purcell team, national competition for 12 to 17 handicappers. Managed to beat Gort and Bearna (last year's Connaught Champions) so far. I won my two matches as well, 6&5 and 7&6 so all good.
Bought a new driver, the Taylormade Tour Burner. Hitting very well, so happy out.

Later

Test mobile blogging

This is a test to see if it works. If so maybe more posts.....

Later

Posts a bit slack

Hey,

Been a bit quite of late. Golfing for the year just getting going. Managed to get 5 full rounds in the last couple of weeks, with steady progress being made in each outing. Was asked to play for the Pierce Purcell team for the golf club. First practice is Monday evening. Am playing tomorrow morning as well. Looking forward to that, as long as the weather is decent. Played yesterday evening and the wind would nearly blow you over.

Have gotten into photography of late. Have always has an interest but decided to buy a decent camera over Xmas and am doing a good bit of reading into it - learning how to use the camera properly. Found a site if anyone is interested - Photography Ireland, The camera I have is a Canon 5D.

Anyway, that's it for now

later.

Saturday Fourball

Got out yesterday, despite the fairly terrible weather, to play 18 holes. Tees off at 8.40 and had to to contend with rain for the first 7 holes. But by the time we hit off on 8 it had dried up and remained rain free for the rest of our round.

Myself (16) and Ian (6) V Ronan (8) and Adrian (2). With not alot of golf played lately the odds were very much stacked against us. We had a great start when I stitched my second to about 8 feet, and while I missed the birdie put, the par with a shot was good enough to win the hole. With the second halved in pars, we won the third thanks to a birdie from Ian. We went on to loose the 4th and half the rest of the front nine leaving us 1 up at the turn - and also winning the first fiver.

We lost the tenth only to win the 11th and regain our narrow lead. Ronan had done well to get a par on the 11th after finding a bit of trouble off the tee. I'd had reasonably decent tee shot and had left my second just short of the front of the green. I went for a bump and run with my 8 iron but didn't quite hit it hard enough. I'd left myself a nasty 12 footer with a good bit of left to right in it. Ronan looked on in horror as in it rolled. With a shot it was good enough for the win.

It went back and forth until the lads took the lead on the 16th. After being up for most of the round we were now looking like we could be bet. On the 17th a par for Ian halved the hole and brought us to the 18th still alive.

All four of us hit, probably, our best drives of the day. All four were is great positions for their second. I was up first and pitched on. Over hit it slightly and it ran about 15 feet passed the hole. Not too bad considering I had a shot on this hole too. Ronan hit his in and it went short and right - but not much. He finished in the first cut about 10 feet from the pin. Ian hit his in and left it about 6 feet right of the hole. Great shot under pressure. Considering that Adrian was 1 under so far to think that we were still alive on the 18th green was a good achievement. He hit his in - came down about a foot from the pin but didn't check and ran about 20 feet passed.
I rolled my put up and narrowly missed the birdie but had hit it a little too hard. Ran about 5 feet passed. Ronan's put scrapped the edge of the cup but didn't drop - gimme par. Adrian's put was right on line but stopped about a foot short. Another gimme par. We had two puts to win the hole and level the match. Ian was up first. Hw didn't dwell on it too long. He decided on his line and hit it. In it rolled. I had the pressure free put and in it rolled too. Match halved.

Great result for us and very enjoyable day on the course.

Golfing Again

Got out for a few holes at the weekend. I really enjoyed playing. I've only managed to get out a few times since last September with the house move, weather and spending time with Cillian.

Only managed to get 9 in as the weather when we were heading out was pretty atrocious. Because it was so bad we started on the 10th but by the time we'd got to the 11th it had eased up a fair bit.

Didn't go too bad. Bogied the 10th, 11th. Doubled the 12th after knocking first ball out of bounds. Got another bogie on the 13th, parred the 14th, doubled the 15th, parred the 16th and 17th and finished with a bogie on the 18th. 8 over for the 9 holes so net level par.

Playing again next Saturday morning so am going to try and hit the range a couple of time before then.

Going Alright Again.....

After my last post I really didn't know what to think about Rafa. I would be known for my unrelenting loyalty to Liverpool regardless of whether it might actually be the case. I was one of the people who though Diouf was alright, I thought that Cisse would come good. I still think that if Kewell gets enough games under his belt he might actually get back to the player he was for Leeds. So for me to be doubting Rafa, even slightly, I wasn't sure where I was.

But this evening I think we're back on track. I put this down mainly to the fact that he hasn't changed the team much. The core has stayed. I still think he changes it too much overall, but he left Gerrard and Torres in the team. And we have reaped the rewards. We're 2 up against Inter, and have 4 league wins on the trot in the bag.

Long may it continue.

What to do???

Where has it all gone wrong? Has it gone wrong? I simply don't know what side of the line I stand on.

Rafa's arrival was heralded as the start of the return to the old days. Now I'm not saying that we should be winning title after title by now but we should be competing a hell of a lot more. Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea are them teams we need to be challenging - not Everton, Man City & Villa. But that's where we find ourselves.
It's hard know who to blame - Rafa, the new owners or the players themselves. The new owners obviously have an affect on the team. There loose comments can not have done much for morale at the club - but they have stumped up the cash for the players Rafa wanted. They have just sanctioned the £18m signing of Mascherano. But I do think the sooner they go the better. It' a pity Moores didn't have the cash to move the club along. There was a good chairman.

The players have to stand up and start to perform like we know they can. They've made a start - let's see if they can continue it.

I'm starting to loose faith with Rafa. I have a lot of faith in him but it is starting to diminish. While I admire him for sticking to his beliefs that squad rotation is the way to go he has to be able to see that Liverpool's best runs all occur when the team stays the same for as long as possible. I know keeping so many top players happy is tough but playing them for the sake of it is wrong. For me, the back 5 should remain the same. Pick your best 5 and let them play.
Trying to keep the 4 central midfielders happy is, in my opinion, Rafa's biggest problem. Obviously Gerrard is first name on every teamsheet. Changing the team to suit the others has cost us valuable points this season. I think Alonso should play. Mascherano and Alonso are of a similar type but I think Alonso uses the ball better. He can also put in a tackle as good as the Argie. Lucas is a talented player but ahead of the other three - I think not.

As long as Torres starts we will never do too bad up top but again I think he needs to decide who partners him and let them at it. The wingers, I suppose, are the most interchangeable but how can a player remain in good form if he plays well one week and then is dropped for the next game.

Rafa has to sort it out. Managing a top team is not easy - but if Liverpool don't improve dramatically by the end of the season then it most likely something he won't have to worry about.

Barcelona - Here We Come!!!

View Larger Map
One of my good friends, Donal, is getting married to Sofia in Barce later this year. Just got hotel booked so we're all sorted. All that's left to do is wait for it to arrive.

Gettin Big!!!

Soon be eating us out of house and home!!! Not to mention terrorizing the dog. Homer's gone into hiding.

Back in One Piece

We made it back without any casualties - well a couple of sore heads. Skiing conditions were great. Took a few pics with my k800i during the week. I left it till Friday to bring up the camera - and predictably the fog was out in force. Still managed a few decent pics. Here are a sample.

More posted on my Flickr page.

Later

Skiing

Nearly that time of year again, when we head for the slopes of St Johann en Tirol in Austria. Was sorting out all my gear last weekend and am now really excited. 9 days and counting!!!

Cillian

Cillian's been flying it lately. He's started moving under his own power - he's stared crawling backwards. Into any sort of divilment he can get into in. If there's something there that he's not supposed to be at then you can be sure that's where he'll be!!

Broadband

I got it. I ordered my broadband connection just over a week ago and was not surprised to be told I'd have to wait until 6th Feb for a connection.
By chance I connected my router to the phone socket to see if there was a light chance they'd have it connected early. And when I spotted it today the dsl light was glowing back at me. My 3MB line is up and running so I have no more excuses as to why the blog can't be kept up to date.

Got my golfing year off to a decent start Saturday week ago. 32 points - so overall I was happy. Played another 18 holes yesterday and to say the golf was up and down would be an enormous understatement. Playing again next week but am going to try and hit the range before then.

Skiing coming up. We head off the St Johann en Tirol in less than 2 weeks for our now annual ski fest. Am really looking forward to it. Maire is getting back on the skis this year and we have 3 first-timers so it should make for an exciting week. I've all the gear found so I'm pretty much set. Even collected the tickets last weekend. Austria here we come......

Update

Hey,

I know blog's been quite fir the past few weeks, ...eh months.
It's mostly down to the lack of broadband, but partly duw to a lack of 'couldn't be arsed' ness.

It will improve.

OK Donal?

Move Is On!!!

Finally....at last....we have a definite date.
The last of the work is being completed this weekend. We can start cleaning and moving stuff in next week.
It's been a long wait but we're finally there. It looked like another postponement was on the cards as the painter was late getting to house but he got there so all is good.

Links

my del.icio.us

Howya now

I know the posts have slackened off over the last couple of months or so but with good reason. I've been busy. That and the fact I've had no internet connection at home.

There's a few things I've wanted to write about. First, is my new house. It's nearly finished. After nearly 20 months of slogging at the weekends, of deciding what colour kitchen to what colour paint for each of the rooms. The last decision was made last week and that's it. No more changes or looking at something else, or being asked for my opinion on whether this unit would look better in this room or that room or will we change it altogether. I know I'm whinging and sound like I didn't enjoy being so involved the the building of the house but I actually loved it. There is something very rewarding about looking at some part of the house and know that I had something to do with getting it done, however small it may be. Hoping to move in Friday week. I'll post a few pics in a bit.

Next on my list is the Vodafone 3G Broadband modem. On their website they have a map of the coverage that they provide a service for. Athenry, where I live, is supposed to have their 3G broadband speeds. I say supposed. No where near broadband speeds. I've tried the modem in a few different locations around the town and I can't get speeds anywhere near what they say is available. I got the modem last week but only got it hooked up on Thursday last. I have to contact them regarding it, because it's not cheap.

Next up is my golfing. I got to play the Monty course at Carton House a couple of Sundays ago. Class layout, course a bit dull but very testing. If you have the misfortune of finding the bunkers you'll need a ladder to get in and out of them. I had only managed 18 holes on the course and 45 mins on the range since the Cecil Ewing final. The 18 holes I played were an awful mixed bag, ranging from ok to dreadful. So to be honest I actually thought about pulling out of the trip to Kildare. Was I glad I didn't. I managed to play pretty good for the day. I had 21 points at the turn, and although I only managed another 10 on the back 9 it wasn't solely because of bad shots. I did have a few bad ones, with my short game really showing up my lack of regular play. I hit alot of good shots only to find bunkers or a bad lie. All in all I was very happy with how I played and was glad I went. I'm really looking forward to when my time i my own again and I get get back out playing regularly. (House nearly finished so I'll soon have my weekends back).

Last but not least, if you know of anyone looking to buy a house in the West of Ireland you could do alot worse than the house I'm moving from. Up for sale now with Remax. If you know of anyone interested mail me at pleader@mac.com

Later

Been a While

I know it's been a while since my last update but I'm in the middle of moving to my new house.
As a result I have has to cancel by broadband connection while Eircom gets me set up.

Hopefully it won't be too much longer......

Connaught Champions

We went down to Carrick-On-Shannon yesterday for the 2nd leg of the Cecil Ewing shield. We had a 3-2 advantage from the 1st leg and were looking to win at least 2 matches to make sure we could go to a play-off.
Myself and Jim were up in our match from the 2nd hole. And bar 2 holes that we halved when we should have been lost them we were never in any danger of loosing the match. (We kept our 100% record together. The 5 matches I played with Jim and the match win in the first round gave me a 100% record for the whole competition. )
We were well beaten in the first 2 matches and were down in the other 2 after 10 holes. A come back in both of the matches before mine gave us a 3-2 win on the day, with a 6-4 win over the 2 legs.
It was a great feeling to win. Well worth all the time spent traveling and preparing for the matches.

Athenry Golf Club. Cecil Ewing Shield Champions 2007.

Class

iPhone gets launch date for UK

Apple and O2 have revealed that they are to release the iPhone in the UK in November. Apparently O2 are taking a big hit to be the ones who carry the iPhone. No word of when it will hit the Irish market yet, but with alot of unblocked phones readily available to buy on eBay and run on any network in Ireland it can't be too long before Apple cop that they are loosing money.

I've bought one of the new iPod Touch's so I'm not in as much of a rush to buy one of the phones but if it were to launch here next week chances are I'd be in the que to buy one. Can't beat a good gadget and the iPhone is THE gadget.

My New Ping Raptures

I recently aquired a set of Callaway X20 irons. I got them through my uncle. I hit them ok but wasn't really tempted to leave Ping irons.
The option came up to trade them in against a new set of Ping Raptures. I've been hitting my G5's really well lately so the raptures had to be at least as good before I'd consider changing. I hit them at the range and I could definitely see an improvement. At least 15 yards longer.
So the decision was made - the x20's for the raptures. Still have my G5's and I'm not sure that I'll start using the raptures till after the final next Saturday. I'm going to play 9 holes tomorrow evening and see how I get on.

Cecil Ewing Connaught Final

Well, we won the home leg 3-2. It gives us a slight advantage to bring with us to Carrick-On-Shannon next Saturday. I won my match and played fairly well doing so. Bar on duff chip and a couple of wayward drives I was very happy with how I played.
Hopefully we can get the result we want on Saturday and bring the title back to Athenry with us.

The Captain's prize presentation as held on Saturday also. For my 4th place finish I won a nice set of cutlery. Very fancy indeed!!!

New Taxi Service for Dublin

Cecil Ewing Connaught Final

We play the first leg of the final tomorrow against Carrick On Shannon. First pairing goes out at 1.30pm, with the first leg been played in Athenry. 2nd leg to be played in Carrick on the 22nd.

I'm out in the last pairing. Keeping the fingers cross we can bring a decent advantage up to Carrick with us next week.

Come on Athenry!!!

Time for Stan to Go

While I have always been a fan of Steve Staunton, both as a Liverpool and Ireland player, I couldn't believe it when he emerged the successor to Brian Kerr as Ireland manager. He appeared to me to be the cheapest the FAI could get that they thought the fans would accept. I know people will point to the run of unbeaten games that Ireland have gone on during the last 10 games or so as proof that we have made progress under Staunton. Some other people may ask that if not Staunton, who? But it is, plain and simply, time for Staunton to go.

While he was a good player he is not even an ok manager. It's hard to criticise him too much. Who wouldn't, if asked, not want to manage their country? The fault lies with the FAI. Delaney and Co. should also get the bullet. Look at the way the English FA run their association. They have a proper set up. Not people looking after their own skin. Delaney should have gone after the whole Saipan incident. Paid a fortune for the Genesis report and then practically ignored it. Typical.

We've fallen to about 36th in the world rankings and after the draw last Saturday coupled with tonight's defeat I'd say we're going to slide even further back. I think we have a decent enough squad - not great but good enough.

We need to get someone in who has experience - the more the better. And the sooner the better too!!!

I gave in!!!

I watched Steve Jobs' keynote presentation from last week over the weekend. The ipod touch looks so class I couldn't resist. I bought myself one of the 16gb versions today. I'm really looking forward to seeing how well the wifi works in the hot spots around town. The widescreen display really makes browsing the album artwork look class.

I was going to hold out for the iphone but with Ireland not likely to be included in the first european countries it's launched in I splashed out. They're shipping for near the end of September so should have it some stage during the first week in October.

Can't wait!!

Miss Teen South Carolina

This thing is doing the rounds on the net now. The video of Miss Teen South Carolina making an ass of herself.
Ben and Eric from benanderic.com have done a version of the Plain White T's Delilah. Absolutely brilliant.

Liverpool FC to Launch TV Channel

Liverpool are to launch their own tv station on the 20th Sept. All of Liverpool's matches will be shown on the channel (not live coverage, though I might add). What will be shown liver will be all the reserve team matches as well as some of the youth team games.

Along with the game coverage there will be interviews with the current squad of players and management. They will also feature some of the former Anfield greats.

All in all I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be included with the Setanta Sports channels. Got it in for the PGA Tour this year so I'm all set.

Bring on the 20th!!!

Dilemma

Apple have launched a new iPod called the iPod Touch. Very similar to the iPhone.
I have decided that I'm definitely getting the iPhone, whenever it makes an appearence on the Irish market.
My problem is that the new iPod Touch looks the business. Don't know if I can resist.....

New Direction

I've decided to take the blog in a different direction, well, many directions.
I'm going to post about whatever I want, from golf to football, from whatever is happening on the world that takes my fancy to whatever is pissing me off.

Stay tuned.

Captain's Prize. Day 2

Well I'm not going to go into as much detail as I did for last week's round as I don't have the time to write that much and it wasn't as good a score as last week's either. At saying that though, it wasn't that bad. I was out at 9.30 on Sunday morning. Weather was good and the course was again looking great. I started by drilling my drive right down the middle of the 1st fairway. I went on to par the 1st and the 2nd.

A pulled shot on the 3rd put me in the trees. And although I found the edge of the green with my second shot I ended up 3 putting for a double. It was the first of three par-3s that I would double bogie. Although I had alot of bogies and some pars I finished up shooting a net 73. That included a quadruple bogie on the par 4 11th. I wouldn't mind but I hit a good drive and came up just short of the green with my second shot. Ball ended up in a bunker, which took 2 to get out of. Ball ran off the back of the green. I then chipped about 14ft passed the hole and then proceeded to 3 putt. Not my finest moment.

The 73 combined with the first round score of 66, giving me a combined 139 was well good enough to get me in to the last 9-hole playoff. I was 4 shots back at the start of the 9 holes. I shot a net 1 over for the nine holes which meant I finished with a level par 175.

An that score was good enough for 4th place. Not to bad if I say so myself. Well happy with that. If I don't sound that excited about it, it's probably because I should have come 2nd. But that's another story........

Presidents coming up in a few weeks so looking forward to that one. Until then though I'm going to revel in my glory...........

Quick Apology

I just wanted to say sorry for the long winded post on my last update. I'm not sure how many people read this blog, if any at all. Mostly I write it for myself but if you do read it then hope I didn't bore you too much!!!

I found out today that I'm out on Sunday morning at 9.30. I'm playing in Newcastle Golf Club in an Am-Am on Saturday morning so hopefully it warms me up for Sunday and doesn't use up too much of my luck. Fingers crossed.

Later.....

Captains Prize 2007 Day 1

The Captains prize format this year is over 45 holes. Round one consists of 18 holes with the top 64 players qualifying for another 18 holes a week later. The top 27 then proceed to play a final 9 holes that afternoon with the winner coming from that.

The first round was played on Saturday and Sunday last. I had put my name down for 2 - 3pm on Saturday afternoon. Any of the names in that hourly slot were drawn out into groups of three. I got drawn with a guy I didn't know and Philly, one of my friends I regularly play with. Both of got out on the Thursday previous for a bit of practice and we both said we'd have a quite night on the Friday.

Our tee time was set for 2.56. Off we went. My first drive was not too bad but it put me in a spot where I couldn't go for the green. I had to knock it out about 60 metres. I was left with about 120m in. I hit a decent 8 iron right at the pin, but with the pin placed right behind the bunker I came up just short. With the sand very heavy I didn't get it out at the first attempt. A 2 putt followed. A 7 at the first. I thought it was going to be one of those days. On to the 2nd...

My drive on the 2nd was worse than the first. Into heavy rough, and behind trees. I took my pitching wedge and let fly. I got it out over the trees and onto the rough on the left of the fairway about 90m from the green. All in all, a good shot if not a bit lucky. With the wedge in my hand again I got it to 10 feet. I read the putt well and in it fell. Par. 3 over through 2. A bit happier headin to the 3rd.

I hit a good rescue club off the tee to about 25ft. Another 2 putt nets another par. I felt the confidence brewing.

With hardly a wisp of air blowing I decide on a 3 wood but I don't connect well and I pull it slightly to the left. I had a decent line into the green and went at it with an 8-iron. I hit the green but it runs off onto the first cut. I was left with a 25ft putt with about a 4 foot break - left to right. In it rolls. 1 under for 3 holes - 2 over through my first 4 holes. Not too bad at all.

A bogie on the fifth , bogie on the 6th and a bogie on the long par 4 7th followed. 5 over through 7.

With a decent drive on the par 5 8th I was in good nick for my 2nd. I was hoping to leave it about 90m short of green. I cut across the ball with my 3-wood and knock it in under trees. I had a bit of room under there to knock it out. I was in the rough about 60m out. A bad wedge shot saw me with a difficult putt. A rush of blood on the putt saw me knock it about 12 ft passed the hole. Another 2 putts saw me leave with a 7. 7 over through 8.

A decent drive on the 9th gave me a good chance of reaching the green in 2. A slightly pushed 5-iron left me just off the right edge of the green. I chipped to 12ft and 2 putted for a bogie. 8 over through the first 9 holes. Going good.

The 2nd 9 got going with a cut drive and more trees. I managed to find the fairway another 100m up. A 5-iron found the rough in the right hand side of the green. A chip and 2 putts result in a bogie. Going good.

My drive on the 11th ended up on the right hand side of the fairway. I was left with about a 5 or 6-iron in. I deceided on the 6-iron and let fly. It was hit well but a little off line. It ball rested on the left hand side of the green, down on the first tier. The pin was about 30 feet away with a nasty hill to climb. I sized up the putt, decided on my line and hit it. To my absolute delight it rolls in - another birdie. Back to 8 over.

The re-designed tee boxes of the 12th waited. I hit a rescue club off the tee. The ball stopped on the rough just at the back of the green. I tried a little chip shot but the ball caught the first cut and didn't release. A 2-putt followed which put me at 9 over through 12.

I hit a great drive off the tee on 13. A slight draw which suited the right to left dog-leg layout of the 13th hole. I was about 160m out so I attacked the ball with my 7-iron. Too much. The abll ran through the green and finished pirched up on the bank. I now faced a very tricky shot. I would have to hit down on the abll to get it up onto the green - too hard and it would end up in the bunker on the far side - too easy and it wouldn't make it out the rough. I managed to hit it somewhere in between. The ball came to a stop about 30ft passed the hole, but at least it was still on the green. I was thinking I could manage a 2-putt no problem. I picked another good line and hit it well. Par. Absolutly over the moon.

I cut my drive on the 14th. The ball ended up on the 15th fairway. I had a line in but with the pin on the right side of the green I had to get over alot of trees protecting that edge of the green. I hit in a 5-iron and caught it well enough - but not well enough to clear the trees. The ball came down in the trees. I had a shot through the trees and managed to get it on for 3. My par putt was decent. It had a look in but never dropped. To be honest a bogie on this hole was a good result. 10 over through 14.

The 15th tee box is well back in the trees so a drive too much to the left or right is in trouble. My drive was down the middle of the opening. The 15th hole bends to the left as you move down it. My ball was on the right hand side rough. In the first cut so I had a decent lie. I hit my rescue club to the back of the green. A decent birdie chance coming up. I gave it a good shot but it just rolled behind the hole. A tap in par. I'll take that any day on the 15th.

As I arrived on the 16th tee box I must admit I was feeling confident and maybe a little cocky. Down to earth I came. I pulled my drive into the overgrown heather running up the left of the 16th fairway. I was in trouble. This could be a card wrecker. I hit a provisional but something was off as I skied that one. As me and my two playing partners searched for the ball I couldn't help but think to myself that it was typical. 10 over through 15 holes. Too good to be true. But then just as I was beginning to give up all hope Philly finds it. Not in too bad a shape. I was hoping to knock it out onto the 15th fairway but with the way the ball was lying in the heather I could only come at it in one direction. I took my 7-iron, decided on my direction and with all my power. I let rip. I kept my head down on this one. When I lifted it up I could see it flying onto the fairway. Someone definitely had my back. Although I ended up taking a 6 on the hole I was very happy to be walking to the 17th tee at 12 over.

The par 3 17th has always been a tricky hole for me. I either stitch it or knock it into the trees on the right. And wouldn't you know it, I had to find the trees. I had a small gap to knock it onto the green and managed to get it on. Another 2 putt and I was heading to the final hole at 13 over.

The tee box on the 18th is further back in the forrest than the 15th. A slightly pushed drive puts me in the bunker on the right. With a 7-iron in my hand I thin it and knock the ball to the front of the green. I chipped it to about 15 ft and narrowly missed the par putt. A bogie gives me a finished score of 84, 14 over and with my handicap of 18 results in a net 66.

Unbelievable. We were met coming off the 18th green by the Captain. Philly tells him my score and to our delight he tells us that it's the leading score. After the rest of Saturday's play and all of Sunday no one could beat my 66. I win the first round and qualify for the next round of the Captain's prize. Best feeling I've had playing golf. Winning the comp last year doesn't come close. I'm really looking forward to next weekend now. I'll have to try and work on my pitching and chipping but if the rest of my game more or less holds then I should be ok. I'm not saying I'll win it. I'd be happy as long as I give it a decent go.

The score also gets me cut to 16.8 which has me paying off 17 now.

Class or what.......

Clubs

Here are a couple of pics of my clubs.
I've the Callaway FT-i driver. My 3-wood, 21 deg and 18 deg rescue clubs are Ping Raptures. My irons are Ping G5's and my putter is a Ping G2 Craz-E. I also 2 Ping tour wedges, a 60 deg and 52 deg.

Up and Down

Hey all!!

I know I said I'd put up a post about my round which got me cut to 18 but I think I've left it too long as I don't remember much.
It was a very windy day, it didn't look like a score much less than par would win. I was happy with my score and happy to get cut.

Alot of my recent good form is down to me giving myself a second shot. I bought the new Callaway FT-i driver, the square one, (I'll stick up a pic or two later) and my driving accuracy has really improved. I'm now hitting fairways, well most of the time anyway. Having a 2nd shot is half the battle. It's not good if you have to knock the ball out sideways 5 or 6 times a round.

I got out for another comp last weekend but I wish I didn't bother. Started off pretty decent. I was 5 over after 8 but it had started raining by about the time we got to the 3rd hole. When we reached the 9th tee box we were well wet. Rain gear is great but when your glove and grips are wet and you're umbrella is going up and down like it's going out of fashion it's not easy to keep a round going, especially when you've only managed to get out 2 times in 6 weeks - I should say that the reason I wasn't out playing for so long is that my wife was pregnant. Our son was born on the 14th May. A future major winner?!!
So from the 9th on things were ranging from decent to absolute rubbish to good. I finished with a score of 29 points. no where near good enough to be even near featuring.

Hoping to get out this weekend. We'll have to see how the new boss is.

The Cut

Just a quick update to let ye know that I'm now playing off 18. After a decent round in the comp last Sunday I got cut .6 which has me playing off 18 now.

I'll stick another post up later about Sunday's round later.

Till then....

We're Back!!!!

Well, now that the long evenings are back we can get out and play some golf. I had intended on updating the blog during the winter months but between one thing and another I didn't.

This is just a quick update to say we're up and running again.

We'll get a right update sorted tomorrow.

Sleep tight.

Bloody Weather

With the evenings now dark by 4.45 there has been very little golf. Even when we got out last week end at lunch time it was nearly dark by the time we finished.

I've been trying to get a bit of practice in when I can. Putting down the hall, swinging a club out in the back garden. Trying to get into the driving range during the week but with work, the house and other stuff that pops up i haven't had a chance.

The house is taking up most of my Saturdays. I don't really mind it too much though. To be honest I actually quite enjoy it. Kind of makes you want to go round the place grunting like Tim " The Toolman" Taylor.



The house is coming on grand. This picture was taken about 2 weeks ago. The slating has started and the plastering outside is all done. We've even started the painting. But all this work on the house, while enoyable as it is, does not do much for my golf game.

I'm hoping t oget out next Sunday for the Competition. I'll let ye know how I get on....

Very Little Golf

Well, it’s been very quite on the golfing front the last few weeks. With the house and the weather along with the evenings getting shorter and shorter there hasn’t been a whole pile of time to get many holes in.

What I have done is practice my chipping and pitching. I’ve been trying to improve my short game. I started this year playing off 21 so to have reduced my handicapp down to 18.7 and to have won a competition as well as progress a couple of rounds in the matchplay. The practicing I have been getting in has definitely benefitted me.

So the plan for the winter is to get a few of the winter comps played as well as keep the progress made so when next Spring comes along I’ll be better again.