Happy new year!

Its 2007! Woooo! Happy new year one and all!

Seems a bit silly to be saying that on a blog, but new years always seems a little unimportant really. Its an excuse to have a party and a chance to reflect on the previous 12 months, which is I guess worthwile.

So, thought for this post that I'd cover some personal highlights of 2006.

By far the best decision was to leave the DPP and come to the UK. A fresh perspective can make all the difference, even if at the end of the day you come to realise that the most important things are the things you've left behind. Having said all of that, travelling is fun, seeing the world from a different perspective is fun, meeting new people is fun and getting to experience life in an exciting, vibrant and filthy city is fun. Will miss this crazy town when we eventually part ways.

The sight of the year was the west of Ireland in late summer. Whether it be the countryside visited, the new friends made or old friend that travelled with me, the Irish themselves who are so utterly genuine, or the pubs at night with the traditional Irish music. Sure, most of it might be for the tourists, but there's just something about modern Ireland that leaves a huge impression. People often come here and miss Ireland. I guess it depends what you're looking for on your travels, but consider this a strong recommendation.

Ireland also accounts for story of the year. I can't really vouch for the truthfulness of this story, can't see anything on the internet which would support it, but it makes for a good story regardless. On the coach back from Galway I sat next to a member of the Irish swimming team. He told me that a big problem the Irish used to have with their team was that there were no 50 metre swimming pools in Ireland. Flushed with European money, the Government decided to fix all that, and built an aquatic centre in Limerick. If anyone has seen Angela's Ashes they might realise the absurdity of this idea, but moving on.

The pool was opened amidst much fanfare, and it was an instant success. Irish swimmers swam and broke all sorts of Irish and European records. People came up with various theories, the water in Limerick was good, the lane ropes were excellent, even that their training was top notch. It wasn't until someone got the idea to measure the pool that they realised, somewhat sadly, that it wasn't quite 50 metres long, more like 49 metres long.

In many ways, this is such an Irish story.

Best book, well, finally got around to reading all of the Harry Potter books, they are way up the list. Best movie was Borat, without any doubt. Biggest rip off was the £28 I had to pay to get a minicab to take me 10 km on account of it being Christmas day, when there is no public transport. Fluke of the year was landing my excellent house and mediocre job so quickly upon arrival. Physical highlight was definately climbing Ben Nevis, was screwed for days after that.

Twas a good year all up, one of the best yet.

Hope you all had a great new year, look forward to speaking to you all soon.