I did a second tour last week that went into Northern Ireland. It was really interesting seeing some of Irelands most beautiful landscapes as well as it's most fragile political environment. Somehow I managed to choose the time when they were having elections to travel around. The day we left Derry they had bombs at the polling booths and we realised how fragile it is up there. We initally travelled to Donegal which is the North West bit of the island but is still in the Republic (euro's). Donegal was really beautiful and we went to the pub that night. The locals don't turn up until about 11pm as they are farmers and have things to do. We even met a priest at the pub, the next day the whole bus was arguing as to whether he really was a priest but I guess we will never know. The next day we travelled to Derry. Mick the tour guide thought it would be nice to go to the beach, we agreed right up until the point it started hailing and we all got covered in ice. Derry (or Londonderry) was the first real chance we had to appreciate the differences between North and South. There are loads of differences but not as extreme as when we arrived in Belfast. We had spent the day in stunning scenery at the giants causeway, however when you see the huge walls put in place to seperate Unionists and Loyalists it all begins to hit home. This is a country that wars with it's neighbours and there is camera surveilance on every corner. The cab driver (we did a black cab tour) said not to worry about the ones you can see, its the ones you can't you have to worry about. We even went to a pub where they monitor everyone who goes in, it was 1 corner down from the hostel.

Aside from the flu all is well and tomorrow I go back to London. I have been in Kells in the Republic where the Book of Kells was completed and stayed at a hostel with a really nice old couple running it. I was trying to get over the flu but I still have it :( Next plans are to go to Wales!