Back Again
“They say mugging is more likely in the city. So is everything else – like sex, coffee and conversation.” – Dylan Moran
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So, I’m back in rural Northern Ireland. I feel so grateful I survived the flight. As Ruth and Lucinda queued to board the 7.15pm to Belfast International there was an announcement about 8pm flight – it was going to become a 9pm flight. I got chatting to a third year medic which made the wait a bit easier. At 9pm we heard the first of the “you will be boarding shortly” announcements.
.
Cardiff is a tiny airport and starts to close up – the last flight out is usually 8.45pm but we didn’t end up boarding until nearly 9.30pm. When we got on the plane we were told that they were late leaving Paris and there had been helicopters involved in “emergency operations” so they hadn’t been able to approach the airport.
.
We were also told to expect a few bumps as we would be flying into “strong winds” – I’d received a text from Rob saying they’d been flying into 133mph winds that day and the Cardiff-Belfast plane is a tiny four-across thing! There were many bumps! I felt really bad because I needed the toilet and the guy beside me was clearly terrified but ended up standing up to let me out. And, as sod’s law would have it the second I locked the toilet door the bumps really started. So the guy had to stand up and be jolted around letting me into my seat again.
.
As we descended to land it really felt like it was a rollercoaster – not only did it feel like we were going up and down but wobbling from side to side! It didn’t put me off flying – I adore flying and fly a lot (11 flights in 2006, 8 in 2007) – but I was a bit cranky! We got into Belfast a full two hours later than we should have. And when you set yourself up for being home by a certain time and it’s later it’s just annoying!
.
But I’m now back in the wee field of saints and had a beautiful sunny day! I’m back to a place filled with daffodils with a tumble drier that only works if you hit it in a certain place and a day old calf skipping about the field.
.
I can’t decide if I’m a country chick or a city girl – I feel at home almost everywhere I go. But there is something lovely about walking up your lane at night and being able to see the moon through the branches and look up to all the stars in the sky.
.
“They bring out all the food in their house... if they don’t put on a good spread they’ll be ill spoken on in the village so they bring out 19 kinds of potato.” – Dylan Moran talking about country people.
.
As I sat down in my granny’s surrounded by her husband’s various family this is what I was reminded of. I’m sure many of you will have seen Father Ted and Mrs Doyle. I can assure you the “Aw go on” is very true! It can sometimes even be taken a step further when guilt becomes another weapon – case in point being someone who tonight said “Well, if the [millions of] sandwiches aren’t finished I’ll eat them for breakfast.” I did take another sandwich!
.
It’s so funny being back and being reminded of all the eccentricities of the place that you hadn’t realised you missed…
.
So, I’m back in rural Northern Ireland. I feel so grateful I survived the flight. As Ruth and Lucinda queued to board the 7.15pm to Belfast International there was an announcement about 8pm flight – it was going to become a 9pm flight. I got chatting to a third year medic which made the wait a bit easier. At 9pm we heard the first of the “you will be boarding shortly” announcements.
.
Cardiff is a tiny airport and starts to close up – the last flight out is usually 8.45pm but we didn’t end up boarding until nearly 9.30pm. When we got on the plane we were told that they were late leaving Paris and there had been helicopters involved in “emergency operations” so they hadn’t been able to approach the airport.
.
We were also told to expect a few bumps as we would be flying into “strong winds” – I’d received a text from Rob saying they’d been flying into 133mph winds that day and the Cardiff-Belfast plane is a tiny four-across thing! There were many bumps! I felt really bad because I needed the toilet and the guy beside me was clearly terrified but ended up standing up to let me out. And, as sod’s law would have it the second I locked the toilet door the bumps really started. So the guy had to stand up and be jolted around letting me into my seat again.
.
As we descended to land it really felt like it was a rollercoaster – not only did it feel like we were going up and down but wobbling from side to side! It didn’t put me off flying – I adore flying and fly a lot (11 flights in 2006, 8 in 2007) – but I was a bit cranky! We got into Belfast a full two hours later than we should have. And when you set yourself up for being home by a certain time and it’s later it’s just annoying!
.
But I’m now back in the wee field of saints and had a beautiful sunny day! I’m back to a place filled with daffodils with a tumble drier that only works if you hit it in a certain place and a day old calf skipping about the field.
.
I can’t decide if I’m a country chick or a city girl – I feel at home almost everywhere I go. But there is something lovely about walking up your lane at night and being able to see the moon through the branches and look up to all the stars in the sky.
.
“They bring out all the food in their house... if they don’t put on a good spread they’ll be ill spoken on in the village so they bring out 19 kinds of potato.” – Dylan Moran talking about country people.
.
As I sat down in my granny’s surrounded by her husband’s various family this is what I was reminded of. I’m sure many of you will have seen Father Ted and Mrs Doyle. I can assure you the “Aw go on” is very true! It can sometimes even be taken a step further when guilt becomes another weapon – case in point being someone who tonight said “Well, if the [millions of] sandwiches aren’t finished I’ll eat them for breakfast.” I did take another sandwich!
.
It’s so funny being back and being reminded of all the eccentricities of the place that you hadn’t realised you missed…
.
posted by Rach @ 10:51 PM
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