h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Off to Luxembourg tomorrow for a few days over half-term. And I just can't relax and look forward to it - too many worries.

1. Flying with Ryanair. Yeah I've done it loads of times, and never had any problems, but the recent TV report has got more people concerned about their practices. Plus Dublin airport's always a nightmare - it is far too over-subscribed and the queues for everything from check-in to security checks are awful.

2. Finances. Compared with this time last year, my salary has halved, my mortgage has doubled and my ex-husband has stopped paying me maintenance while he goes through bankruptcy proceedings. And for an accountant, I'm not brilliant with money! I love being generous with it when I have it (I have on 3 separate occasions lent different boyfriends a 4-figure sum of money), but not so good about getting it back (only 1 of them ever repaid me. You think I'd learn!) So it'll be strange being in Lux and having to keep a close eye on the euros - having to take the coach to the airport, for instance, instead of hiring a car.

3. Lack of plan. I have only the vaguest of plans for meeting people and doing stuff - the kids are convinced they can go to their old school and instantly have a social agenda for the weekend. I have visions of us sitting in the hotel twiddling our thumbs. It's a shame the Irish rugby match is on Sunday when we're travelling home - I'd love to have spent Saturday afternoon drinking Guinness in one of the ex-pat haunts.

4. Timetable. We arrive very late on Wednesday night, and don't get back to Dublin until 11 pm on Sunday. Late nights and not enough sleep always make me grumpy.


It's not like me to be so negative!

This is quite a usual thing for me - to have qualms shortly before leaving. At least whatever happens, you're not going to be disappointed if you've been expecting the worst!

If no agenda appears, then be tourists! Usually when you live somewhere you skip the museums and sights, perhaps there is something you skipped too, and can go see now?

An advantage you have, being familiar with Lux, is you will know where to get a decent meal for less, and thus make money last longer.

Now go make some phonecalls and arrange dates with your friends!

Posting this from an internet cafe downtown, so scuse teh spelling - foreign keyboard...

Flight was absolutely fine - no queues at checkin, plane half empty so loads of seats, treated myself to a glass of wine at 5 euros. Only us on teh coach, so that was very OK, arrived early, one of my best friends met us and ran us to the hotel- she did suggest going out for a drink - at midnight.


Met another friend for cocktails last night in a quiet downtown bar, then had dinner in a gorgeous little Sout American resto called Devils Kitchen (to please my Goth son)

Reminded myself that I do know the best places to eat cheaply - had lunch today at my favourite spaghetti place - puttanesca, delicious dessert and coffee for under 10 euros.

And reminded myself that those skinny b's in Sephora are stuck up cows. I'd had my hair done and since they advertised "maquillage gratuite" I thought I'd complete my new look. But no, despite the fact that I considerately waited till after lunchtime so they wouldnt be busy, and that there were 6 of them standing around doing nothing, they would only offer to do it if I bought one of teh products. So I just walked out the door. Silly silly people.

Anyhoo - very cold here, snow on the ground, but kids loving meeting up with their old pals. Pip pip.

You'll get a better maquillage in Sandy Row. Stuff 'em!

The older I get, the less inclined I am to leave home. Never mind go to an airport and get on a plane.

for the money worries.
I have to buy car tax next week plus there's last month's credit card bill which includes the rollover from Xmas which never got paid up in Jan

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Well, back home safe and sound.

The planes were absolutely fine - hardly any queues worth mentioning, and both landed ahead of schedule. Yes Ryanair *do* check your passports - they had to ask my daughter 3 times to open hers (she had her headphones in)

Managed the whole weekend with only 2 taxis - took the buses the rest fo the time.

Great to watch Ireland stuff Wales this afternoon in an ex-pat pub - there's no atmosphere like it!

Kids had an absolute ball, it was worth it just to see their faces with their old chums.