Adrian Phelan

Post 23

Daddy time| Away with the ferries| Fab 50th| International Women’s Day| Goodbye and thanks| Links to previous posts

Double-inn 

First things first, I spent about 36 hours in Dublin at the end of the week and have to apologise again for not fitting more people in. It was a flying visit for my dad’s birthday which was on Wednesday. Because of his situation I was keen to get to see him in and around the day. I took him for a coffee and cake which was nice, but as he got up to leave, his legs went from under him and he had a fall. He was a bit shook but no bones broken and I was glad I was there to support him. A steady walk home and a snooze on the sofa and he was right again. After spending the day together, I popped out to see my boyhood team Shelbourne play in the Irish Premier League. It was a big crowd considering the rugby was on, and a five-goal thriller, but alas they were on the wrong side of the odd goal. At full time it was straight home to bed, to be up at 5am to catch the ferry back to blighty.  

Ferry good  

My passport expired on Friday, and my new one hasn’t arrived yet. Because of that (you now need a passport to fly between the UK and Ireland) I had to rail sail back to London, which was long, but a novelty. The weather was lovely and the sailing very smooth. For those who might be passing through Holyhead, a new pub has opened right next to the terminal and it’s just £4 for a pint. There are worse places you could go if you have time to kill before or after your train.  It’s been many years since I’ve travelled to the UK by ferry, but when I do, I always think that for most of our existence, this was the only way you could leave. One day James Joyce got on a ferry and never came back. Oscar Wilde and GB Shaw probably came back a bit more often and would have walked the same route under the shadow of Skinner’s Monument on top of the hill. My grandad made the journey once and then onward to Birmingham where he met my Nana. So it’s an important part of my own personal history as well.  

The first leg of the journey between Holyhead and Chester is stunning. I’m not sure what the mountains are called but they were snowcapped and looked amazing.  

Everything was on time and the wi-fi worked a treat, so happy days.  

50/50  

Another week, another 50th and this time it was the turn of someone I possibly met on the first day I moved to the UK. We were in halls in Leeds together. The room was full of people I’d known for 30 years or more, one of whom flew from New York just to be there. Others travelled down from up north and of course I had trekked across from Dublin.  

It was again a top night. My wife and I even had Tequila (get us). I’ll never pass up an opportunity to mark how lucky we are to have good friends, and the do was another reminder of that. It also served to remind how quickly kids grow as well. Their eldest must be over six foot now and he was in his mother’s tummy at our wedding. Time and tide as they say. In early May we go again and I’m looking forward to it already.   

Do Good Well  

Sunday, 8 March is International Women’s Day. The theme this year is ‘Give to Gain’. The website says, When we give, we gain. Together, let’s help forge gender equality through abundant giving. The IWD 2026 ‘Give to Gain Campaign’ encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration. Read more on the website and donate where you can.  

Goodbye and thanks  

This week’s post has been a bit of a ramble and slap another tardy on me for being late. It also hasn’t been a laugh a minute but sometimes weeks go that way. The blog is a largely sports-free zone but I think all my teams won this week (apart from Shels) so that is something to smile about any way.  

I started this blog to help me find work so as ever take another look at my CV and keep me in mind.   

Socially viable

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Past posts

1 March

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

21 February

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

14 February

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

7 February

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

1 February

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

23 January

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

16 January

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

9 January

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

2 January

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

26 December

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

20 December 

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

12 December 

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

5 December 

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

28 November 

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

21 November 

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker  

14 November 

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker  

7 November 

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker  

31 October 

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker  

24 October 

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker  

17 October 

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker  

10 October 

Adrian’s All – Fairy tales of a jobseeker

3 October 

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker