Surprise!!!

The first thing I wanted to show you today was the little video I wanted to put in Monday's post, however it was too large to be put in directly (a whole 10mb), so another solution had to be found. So, if you hit play, you should be able to see a bit of the match between Antrim and Down and how it goes about. And yes, one of them scores, I think it was Antrim.

That is not the surprise though. The surprise was completely different. I knew I had to do a certain run yesterday: Belfast to Glasgow and I knew I would do it in the mini bus. Well, I assumed so anyway. However, when I got to work, they pointed me towards a large regular coach and told me that was the one I was taking out! 

My heart sank.

Not this one!

They had wanted me to take a smaller bus (but bigger than the mini bus), but somebody else had had to take that one earlier in the day and that left me with the large one! 

The first bit to the motorway is narrow and windy and it's hard to see what's coming. I so didn't want any mishaps, scrapes or whathaveyous and drove at a snail's pace, coming to a complete stop whenever a car came from the other direction. I made it! Phew! On to Belfast.

View towards NI from the ferry

I got to Belfast in one piece, I made it to the terminal in one piece (with passengers), got on to the ferry (tight!!!), got off it again and drove a very windy narrow road to Glasgow. Fortunately I was stuck behind a few lorries who weren't going faster than 40 miles an hour. Perfect for me! 

Once we got to the motorway it got a bit easier again and I relaxed the teensiest bit, but soon we hit Glasgow and in to the city I went. I arrived at the bus station a few minutes late, but still in good time before the return trip. 

On my return trip I had a colleague with me to the ferry and we chatted the whole way. I stayed between the lines, didn't flinch as much and according to him, I was doing fine! Just the last bit (the windy bit) was again a bit tricky, but I made it back to the ferry safely. 

The island of Aisla Craig in the distance (through dirty windows). This is where the curling stones came/come from.

Once off the ferry again, the lovely sunny day was rapidly changing into a lovely cloudless night. That was especially tricky during the last few miles on the country roads, but I made it safe and sound back to the depot.

I was exhausted! However, I am quite pleased I did that well. I might have been thrown in at the deep end, but I managed to come out unscathed. Literally. I didn't hit anything, I kept clear of all parked cars and made it home in one piece. 

Today I am back on the mini bus. Relax a bit again!

GAA

In November 1884 the Gaelic Athletic Association was founded in Ireland. A country that was at that time still part of the United Kingdom. Its main focuses were on Irish sports, but music, dance and language are also high up on the list. The sports they champion are Gaelic Football, Hurling and Camogie. 

All the sports are played on a strictly amateur level, although the better players can get some advertisement money and/or sponsorships. Other than that: no pay! However, some of the football players do cross over to rugby, where they can go professional. 

Last Saturday I went to a football game in Newry. We could have seen both the games on that evening, but we left after the first one, which featured the under 20's. It was still great fun to watch though. If you are ever at a game where you don't understand a lot, ask the person in front, chances are they do! So, that's what I did. I asked the man in front of me, about the scoring, about the teams and about several other things. 

Now, the term football is quite a strange term for the sport we watched: the only time the ball ever touched the feet was when they were doing a keepie-uppie while running and when they tried to get the ball either in the goal or through the posts over the goal. Other than that: it was carried in their hands!

The names on the scoreboard were in Gaelic, which got me a bit confused as well (like it confused Yamini). Aontroim is indeed Co Antrim, but An Dun is not an island off the coast of Ireland, but a county called Down, both in the province of Ulster (which contains all of Northern Ireland and some counties in the Republic). 

Anyway, the game was great fun to watch and even the scoring was quite easy: between the goal posts over the goal: 1 point. In the goal: 3 points. However, instead of adding them all up immediately, they went for how many times they scored a certain way of scoring. At the end of the match, the points are totalled and a winner declared. In this case it was County Down who got a total of 29 points (they had 5 goals and 14 points, photo was taken a bit earlier), whereas County Antrim got a total of 22 points (3 goals and 13 points).

Photo on Sunday 2018-14

Yet another little teaser.

Of overs and wickets and such

A cricket pitch with a view

Having lived in the Netherlands most of my life and a stint in Norway as well, I have not come across cricket that often. In fact, never! Football (or soccer) yes. Cricket never. Even during my time in England a lifetime ago, I never came across it. 

A couple of days ago I had a bunch of school boys who were playing another school in a cricket tournament. I didn't watch it, even though I probably could have. Then yesterday, another group of school boys playing another school, but this time there wasn't even the possibility. 

Today I went to yet another school with the group from a couple of days ago and I felt it should be possible for me to catch some of the game. First of all, the sports grounds were fantastic! The school basically had the sports grounds in front of them and then: an uninterrupted view over the hills beyond! Not a bad place.

The weather was quite lovely as well: sunshine with a bit of a breeze and perfect to sit in a chair and watch a game of cricket. If only I understood what was going on!

I asked some of the boys on the bus to explain, and they did. I think. There was something about a rolling ball and four points and six points and knocking the wicket. I didn't really learn that much! However, some of what they said started making sense after a while and other things I figured out for myself. 

After the first half (I know it probably isn't called that, but that's what it felt like), my group had set a benchmark the other school had to beat. They didn't! Which meant my group had won. 

I understood it eventually. I think!

Cricket will never be my go-to-sport-to-watch, but it is quite nice. I think. With the sun shining and a light breeze and nice cup of tea...

Getting settled

Taken on a trip to Derry back in 2008

I had another trip today. Same school again, different destination again. Tomorrow I will do another trip. Again the same school, but again a different destination. After my knock last week, it has been nice to do relatively simple jobs to ease me into the new job. 

I get to see a bit of the country as well. Which definitely helps me getting used to routes and such. Today it was Armagh's turn. I live (at the moment anyway) in County Armagh, but its capital is also called Armagh. A lovely city where the boys I had on the bus today were going to play cricket. 

Tomorrow yet another place to get to: Derry. My sister and I visited there several years ago on a holiday, but since I have the same school as today (and Tuesday and last Saturday), it is most likely to be another cricket trip. 

Another photo of Derry in 2008

For some people that might the most boring thing. But for me they are brilliant. I get to see new things, meet new people and in the end that will all help me in my new job. And as the lady in the office said: we give you all of this now to build up that confidence again and then we will slowly get you onto the bigger buses/coaches. 

For now though: I am doing fine!

Week 4

Last Monday I had been in Northern Ireland exactly three weeks. In those three weeks a lot of things have happened. I got a car, a bank account, my stuff arrived, Miss Oswin arrived and I started work.

That last thing wasn't without its problems however, as you have probably read last week. I must admit, it really did knock my confidence for six. I knew it was going to be the hardest thing of driving here, but I never thought it would be that difficult. Everything I thought I knew about driving a coach was basically thrown out and I had to start again from scratch.

In the mean time however, I keep driving those mini-buses. They may be only slightly wider than a regular car, but they do give me some confidence in my abilities to drive and make sure people arrive safe and on time. Which was very much needed. 

There was another thing that was quite welcome today: my first pay. Well, I haven't received it yet (probably tomorrow) and it isn't that much, but pay is pay and on a monthly basis it seems to be enough to pay for my rent, electricity, insurance and whatever else. Plus I have some money still (coming) from Norway that will help tide me over as well.

En garde Mister!

The front of the school

It was an early Saturday morning for me, heading up to Belfast to pick up my load of children (and two adults). They were headed to Ireland and the Irish interschool fencing competition. The first person greeting me (good morning Sir) was a teacher who was quite shocked I was not a Sir, but a Madam. His colleague managed to keep the Sir in, just about.

I think this building was the dormitory building

The school we were heading to was out in the country side. Beautiful buildings and beautiful surroundings. Sports grounds that the average professional club would be jealous of and green as far as the eye could see. It was a boarding school for over 250 boys, but in the morning I never saw a single one!

The sports fields ran all the way up to the treeline

The boys I had with me though I did see. First I saw them running around with the other boys and some girls from three other schools. Jog, stop, run, stop, hit the floor, stop, jog, stop, jog etc. I got tired just watching them! That was however only the precursor of the actual event. All the boys and girls had started fencing last September and this was, for most anyway, to be their very first competition. I thought there was quite a discrepancy in size of children and some definitely looked older than the boys I had taken with me.

It was to be a relay competition. The first team to reach 45 had won. However, it wasn't as straightforward as all that as I soon found out. During the first fight(?) team A got 5 points and won the fight. Team B only got 3 points. During the second fight that meant that team A only needed 5 points to win, team B however would need 7! And if team B didn't catch up then, they would be chasing with a bigger and bigger margin, making it hard to win. 

Red light meant a hit and a point.

Anyway, both teams from 'my' school lost by only small margins, but they lost anyway and were now fencing for the consolation prizes. Because there were only four schools in this competition and the combined scores of both teams counted, they ended up taking third place overall. 

The way back was as unremarkable as the way in: borders are hard to see and the only thing really telling me I was back in Northern Ireland was the sign saying everything was now in miles again, Ireland having converted to kilometers about 15 years ago. A long day at work, but a good day nonetheless.

Photo on Sunday 2018-13

Just a little teaser for tomorrow!

Day two

Castle Ward

The night before my first day at work, I had been relaxed and fine. Needless to say that the night before my second day I was not. I was very much more nervous, even though I knew I could drive the mini bus fine and I would drive one again that day. I am like that. The nerves can get to me slightly. Especially since I would have to find my own way to the school we were picking up.

But I got there in good time (very good indeed) and then had to wait for the other driver to arrive. He did in the end and he gave me a cursory idea of what route we would be taking. Me not knowing much and not really knowing where we were going. Of course I lost him at the first roundabout and I only saw glimpses of him in the far distance afterwards. 

A lovely gnarled tree

With the help of a phone (a passenger, don't worry) and my short glimpse of an online map the day before, we got to our destination. About a minute after the other driver, so not too bad. Especially since I think everybody is driving like lunatics! In Norway I am used to driving 60 or 70 km/hour on smaller roads. Here in Northern Ireland (and the rest of the UK actually) they are allowed to go close to 100! That is 60 miles an hour. Madness I say!

Anyway, the children and teachers got off and after a few minutes I decided to go and explore myself. One good thing about the job as a coach driver: you get to go places and see things! And this time it was a National Trust property called Castle Ward. For those of you who watch Game of Thrones, several scenes were filmed on the property! 

The original Castle Ward, used in Games of Thrones

The weather again was absolutely glorious, in fact better than the day before. I wandered about here and there, got a cup of tea, wandered around some more, enjoyed the sunshine and the quietness. Listened to the birds, watched the scenery and generally had a lovely day as well. On our return trip I managed to keep view of the coach and we arrived together back at school. Of course, the route back was the same, so even if I had lost him again....

On my return to the depot, we took some time going over a lot of things. A driver's handbook, a contract to sign and several tips and hints about how to make my working day even better and safer (for both me and the passengers). 

A visitor during my tea break.

That was not all though: I was also told I was set up for another trip. With the mini bus again (no complaints there). On Saturday morning I have to get up early. As in ridiculously early (4.30am), because I have to pick up my passengers at 7am in Belfast. From there we will head to Ireland, which means: international!! I just got the details an hour ago and have looked it all up, written everything down and the only thing left to do now is getting my brand new satnav to work and an early night! 

In the laundry room

Mini it may be, but the job certainly isn't!

My first day at work

On Wednesday morning the alarm clock went off early. This time not because I didn't want to sleep all day, but because I was actually off to work! It was only going to be a short trip, but still: work is work and I really wanted to get back to it. 

I arrived early and was met by another driver who would show me the way. I know hardly anything road-wise here in Northern Ireland. I am always happy I find my sister's home! So, not having to do everything on my own is good. 

I would drive the same bus (ie the mini bus) I had driven during my test-drive and soon we were out the gates and heading to the school to pick up the children. They had a school trip to a local fun farm in the area. 

Once we were there, I was given the chance to drive the big proper coach. It was a bit tricky getting it out of the parking lot (narrow and high tree/hedge), but with some assistance from the other driver, I got out eventually. Getting on to the road was again quite tricky. I immediately noticed the coach was very different to drive than all the coaches and buses I had ever driven. But with some care I managed it. 

And then... there was a mishap. I had not kept enough distance between the coach and a parked car and I just scraped past it. Literally! Mirror and bumper of the car were gone/loose and there were large marks on the coach. A ton of bricks was dropped in my stomach. 

After it had been resolved (insurance details and such), I sat in the passenger seat and we drove back. For the time being there is no way I will be driving a large coach. Mini bus it is. Just to get used to it. 

I know how to drive a coach. I know how wide they are, how they turn. I know how much space I have between me and the door. When I sit on the left side of the coach. It is so different when you sit on the right side of the coach. My spatial awareness is completely gone and that's when mistakes will be made. 

Let's hope that everything from now on goes well and I might be able to soon get on a proper bus again!

Musical weekend part 2

After a lovely Saturday evening, Sunday was spent relaxing in the morning and in the afternoon cheering for my sister and her colleagues. Choirs are big things in the United Kingdom and choirs at work are getting more and more popular. And my sister's workplace is no different and they formed their own choir last November. 

The choir from the back

Then someone thought it might be good fun to apply for the Workplace Choir of the Year. The day before I arrived in Northern Ireland they were in the semi finals and guess what: they got picked to go to the final! And last Sunday was said final. Since I wasn't doing anything else, I tagged along and listened to nine choirs singing two songs each. It was great fun, but I could definitely not say who would win. 

View from the coach

They came third. Since they only announced the winner and the runner-up, it meant that all the others ended up in third place. In my view anyway. But they were pleased anyway and there is always next year!

By the way, the competition was organised in Dublin, which of course is not in Northern Ireland but in the Republic of Ireland. Same island, different country. Quite a few music and sports competitions are held Ireland-wide, regardless of borders.

Musical weekend, part one

Ready for Eurovision!!!

Since I still haven't started work, there was time for me to do other things this weekend. As you may have guessed from yesterday's post, it was Eurovision time again and those of you who have followed my blog for a few years, know that I LOVE EUROVISION! Fortunately my sister likes it as well, although she didn't have a pen and paper ready to write down all the peculiars of every song. 

Anyway, last Tuesday the whole competition took off in Lisbon, Portugal, because last year's winner (Salvador Sobral) sang the winning song for Portugal last year. Since I live in the UK now and they go through automatically, they wouldn't sing in either of the semi finals, but they were allowed to vote. Unfortunately for us: the first one. Both the Netherlands and Norway were in the second one. 

Neither of my two favourites of the first night went through (Belgium and Armenia), although my least favourite song did: Israel. The second semi final took place on the Thursday and as I said had Norway and the Netherlands in it. This time I had three favourites: the Netherlands (not biased at all me), Montenegro and Moldova. I didn't think Montenegro would get through, but the other two did. Yea!

Than came the night itself. Which once again was filled with strange things happening on the stage. There was a coffin type thing (Ukraine), there was metal as in the type of music (Hungary), Vikings (Denmark), a former winner (Norway), a stage crasher (UK), a young and clean Catweazle (Serbia), a €65,000 dress for an opera singer (Estonia, who sang in Italian) and an updated birdy song (Israel). 

I have remarked upon it in the past and since last year's winner actually sung in their own language (Portuguese), this year a staggering 12 countries sang in their own language, not being English. And Estonia did a song in Italian. It was glorious! Both Italian language songs ended in the top 10 as well and for once France wasn't far behind (13).

Norway (15th), the Netherlands (18th) and the UK (23rd) didn't do so well. And definitely not as well as the top three! The voting changed last year and that has brought a lot of extra suspense into the competition. First we got the jury votes and at the end of that, Austria led the way, followed by Sweden, Israel, Germany and Cyprus. However, the public votes changed everything! 

Sweden was the fourth country to get the points (they went lowest to highest), which meant they were very much out of the running. Austria was the 14th country and went to the top of the board again. It was now between Israel, Germany and Cyprus. The first of those three to get points was Germany and they were just behind Austria. At the end of the scoring, only two countries were left to receive points: Israel and Cyprus. It could go either way, but in the end, Cyprus....

Lost! Israel with the funny noises and the chicken wings and the Japanese nodding cats had won! A good end to a brilliant evening (yes, the song has grown on me). Now I just need to get the cd!

Photo on Sunday 2018-12

Movement in the move

Well, finally some movement. The past few days were spent reading and watching television and doing not much at all. I had hoped my things would have arrived yesterday, but alas: custom clearing took a bit longer. Today however, the news was good: it has cleared customs and this afternoon (around 4pm) my things will be arriving. No, not here as I said before, but in my own garage.

It will be nice to see my things again. Perhaps even take some to my sister to be used. Perhaps start a new mouse (if I can find the appropriate box).

This morning there was also movement in something else. Yesterday I had received an email from my new employer whether I was ready to start. This morning I decided to pay them another visit. If I am to start work, it would be nice to know where I can find things! Like keys and such. However, when I then told them I had never driven a right hand drive coach before... 

Soon I will be back behind the wheel of one of those. Albeit with another name and logo of course!

They found a mini-bus, which at least is bigger than a car and one of them took me out on the road. There was conversation all the while and I managed not to hit any cars, bins or crossing trees. Of course it is not a big proper bus/coach, but at least he never grabbed the seat or even became green. I think that that was a good sign. 

Anyway, I am not starting just yet, but I will do this week. They could have used me tonight he said, but they had already filled the job. There are however other jobs this week that need doing and for which they will most likely need drivers. He also told me that they will soon sign a new contract for long distance public transport. Public transport might not be my favourite, but at least it's long distance, which is always nicer than short distance/town driving. 

So, that's it for today. Good news on two counts. Now just to get that bank account (don't worry, we're on it!)

Week 2

For the past few weeks (3-4) I have slept like a baby. Until I woke at an unholy hour and never could get back to sleep because I was thinking about everything that needed doing. Packing, cat, more packing, cat trouble again, more packing, forms to fill out. If you have ever moved, you know the drill. 

When I first arrived at my sister's last Monday, I was so stuck in that rhythm, that my first morning here I woke up at 5. Yes, I had gone to bed at a silly time as well, but I was tired. It just didn't translate into sleeping long. The bed didn't help either, since it's a single (as opposed to my king size) and hard. But, slowly, I managed to sleep better. Well, longer anyway.

Waiting for the (late) lorry in Norway

So, when I went to bed at midnight last night, I knew I would probably wake up around 8 this morning. Which proved to be true. Mind you, I think it might have something to do with a certain feline pulling down part of the curtains and then scarpering, but all in all, I sleep longer. And have started dreaming as well. About old haunts, old class mates, the job.

I have not started my new job yet, but I will do this week. I am a bit apprehensive about it, having never driven a right hand drive coach before. I guess though that I will get used to it quick enough. I did again with the car!

My days at the moment are filled with other things. Laundry, dishes, cooking. And when I am not doing that: reading. I have read about 6 books since I got here I think. Some that I read before, others that are new. 

Trying to fit my stuff in (there was room to spare)

Today however, another activity will fill my day. Hopefully anyway, depending on customs. Because today is the day my stuff will arrive from Norway. Not at my sister's, we would both go absolutely stark raving mad, but at my own new pad, 12 miles from here. As soon as the stuff has been cleared by customs (could be today, could be tomorrow), I will head over to my new address and oversee the unloading of the lorry. It will be smaller than the lorry that came and picked it up, because the road I will live on is not wide and the lane needed is even less wide than the road!

Photo on Sunday 2018-11

After several weeks without a Photo on Sunday, I have decided now might be a good time to return to it.

Yesterday the weather was quite nice here in NI and all of a sudden we heard the jangle of the ice cream man. We couldn't not get one you know...

Slowing down and speeding up

Back in Norway while still in the middle of packing

The first few days of me being in Northern Ireland were so jam-packed with things to do/sort/collect/buy that it went buy in a flash. I am glad to say though, that it is now slowing down a bit. So, I thought I would give you all a bit of an update about where I stand at the moment. 

On day one we bought a car. Reserved really, my sister had to transfer the money into their account first. It's not a big car, it's not new, but it is perfect for what I want and need it for. Which is drive to work and back and to the shops and back. And if there is an occasional trip to something, it is good as well.

During that afternoon, I bought a phone. My very first smart phone! Years ago I had bought an iPod to listen to music, but I figured out in the end that it could be used for other stuff as well. Apart from phoning people. So, on on my move to NI I decided to get myself an iPhone. Again, it's not new and it has some limitations, but on the whole I like it very much and it does what it's needed for. Ring people. 

As beautiful as ever!

On Tuesday we had to go and collect a certain feline. She was so not happy sitting in that crate for two days, but the minute she was let loose in her new temporary home, she was fine again. Ate like a docker on her first day here and drank so much I was getting worried, but she has settled down beyond all expectations. She is slowly finding out about the neighbours (with children and lots of movement. Oh, and a big barking dog). She crawls on my lap in the evening or sleeps on the dining room chair. She loves looking out the bedroom window. She eats nicely, drinks nicely and goes potty like she always has. Very very pleased.

On Wednesday we went to Ikea. First I had a look at my apartment though (we had to drop something off) and it looks a bit different from the last time we saw it. The plasterboard was up everywhere and we could actually walk on the floors and the rooms were distinguishable. The plasterers were due in yesterday and my new landlord expects the place to be ready in about six weeks. Which would mean I would be in before my birthday, which I would love. 

During our little walk on Friday

Quite a bit of furniture is on its way over to NI, but the place isn't that big and I don't know whether I will enough room for everything, or, on the reverse, what I will need to have enough storage, sitting and sleeping room. But, I will definitely have to buy a sofa, a desk for my computer and a spare bed. Other things may or may not follow. My sister has a coffee table I can have, which actually was mine when I lived in my first ever place in the Netherlands. Full circle!

Thursday saw a return to the bank, which didn't end as favourably as we had hoped for, yet with advice that was very sound. I am now waiting to get my National Insurance number and she promised me that was enough to open an account. Then we got the glasses. An eye-test first where they told me my left eye had improved (as I knew) and the right eye had remained more or less the same. The glasses will be arriving in about two weeks time.

After that it was car insurance time. My sister had paid for the car and we were due to pick it up on Friday, but there is to be no driving without insurance. Here again it proved to be not so easy. Since I have a Norwegian license and not all companies accept a foreign license. Besides that I haven't got the bonus letter from my Norwegian insurer yet, so we were at the highest level of payment due! Ah well, the letter will come and hopefully my new insurance will then be adjusted accordingly. 

My new car: a Renault Twingo

Friday saw the collection of the car. When I test drove it, the one thing really bothering me had been the rear view mirror and I wanted that changed. Which they had done. It's a nice little car as I said and will be perfect for my needs. We filled out paperwork, he handed me my part of the paperwork and off we drove, to the nearest post-office so I could get the car taxed.

During the afternoon we used it to get some groceries: we had thrown some out at my sister's, because of expiry dates (2011 flitted past at one point) and we drove to a small nature area absolutely invested with flying crawlies. 

The only things left to do now are getting the bank account, receiving my things (Tuesday or Wednesday next week) and starting work. I will probably start off with something local and have been told it might be a football trip. Whatever it is though, it will be nice to start working again!

Also during our walk on Friday

That was it for now. More to follow of course if and when they take place...

Glasses

Look closely and you might see my first ever pair of glasses

I mentioned earlier this week that I needed 6 pairs of glasses. Which sounds like an awful lot of pairs to be honest. The thing you have to remember though is that I am a coach driver and need one set (regular, night and sun) just for work, while the other set will be for my car. I can't be doing having them here and forgetting them when I should go there. 

The reason I never got around getting them back in Norway, was the cost. For the amount of money I had to fork out for six pairs with all the trimmings (polarised, night, anti-glare) here in Northern Ireland I would have gotten one, perhaps two basic pairs back in Norway. Easy choice! Fortunately there was a two for one offer on the glasses as well, so that was lucky and even cheaper. 

Something else we tried to do today again was the bank account. This time we were told that I really needed something with an address on it, preferably a utility bill. Unfortunately I don't have any of those, since I live with my sister for the time being. But the lady was helpful and told me my best bet would be to get a letter with my National Insurance number (like a Social Security number) addressed to me at my current address. As soon as I have that, I will be able to open an account. 

We were not finished yet though. Because tomorrow I will be collecting my car, I needed a car insurance as well. Which meant sifting through all the insurance companies and trying to find the best one. Well, in our case, we didn't sift, we just went to one of those brokers that sift for me! And they found me a company that will take me. Not all companies accept people with foreign driver's licenses for some reason, but this one did. The only thing left to do now is get my bonus letter from my Norwegian insurer and perhaps get an even better deal on my insurance. 

We once made a fence, the chest was easy!

Once we got back home, we put together the chest of drawers my sister bought yesterday. It is now filled with my things until I move out. Then it will be moved into my sister's walk-in closet and used by her. 

Despite the bank account not quite coming off again, I am pleased with today's results.