The Clearing (Of The Heid!)

It's been a week of singing.

And a week of 'socialising'!

I went out three nights in a row, first one on me own (though one is never alone in my local!), second night with Mrs. Map (we laughed so much, people watching is good free entertainment!) and last night with me pal (another night of laughter!)

So today meself & Herself took off to the forest for a 'head clearing' walk. (I hasten to add that mine was the only head needing clearing!)

And I remembered the camera!

I Was A Kid

Me & two of my younger brothers.

Back in the day when we had fuck-all.

But we were clean, fed (Somehow!) and it looks as though we were happy.

I love this photie.

(That's Map on the right.)

I think I was about six years old then, and look at me with the collar &  tie!

(Plus, see our initials carved into the wall behind us!)

Ahm Awa In A Dwalm!

Fer me taller twin!

Into The West

Mr. & Mrs. Map had a  few quiet days away in the west this week.
Galway, but not the city this time, east Galway. Though we did venture into the city for some shopping. (Has to be done!)

Of course we missed the kids.

But the quietness, the big warm bedroom, the drink, the food I didn't have to cook, the friendly staff, the bar, the drink, the big warm bed in the big warm bedroom!

Of course we missed the kids.

"Any chance of putting the Celtic game on the telly?" I asked the barman.
"Telly? I think we can do better than that!" says he as he used the remote to lower the big (180'')  screen from the ceiling.

"Will that be OK for you?"

In fairness, the bar was  quiet, but said barman was really looking after us.

Mrs. Map even watched, for a while.

LAST 16

I missed watching THE big game, in the pub of my choice, with my pal.
Where was I?
I was entertaining one of my senior groups at their Christmas party.
Timed to coincide exactly with the start and finish times of THE game.
But I had great fun. And so did they.

(That's worth 3,000,000,000,000,000,000,002 points on the 'being nice to yer elders' scale. I'm that much away from a secure seat in Heaven!)

(There was a 'Secret Millionaire' in the audience! Maybe he'll adopt me?)

I had warned my pal, 'Don't text the result!' 'I'm gonna watch it when I get home.'

'Doodle oodo, Doodle oodo, Doodle oodo do!' (can you hear the text alert??)

'We're THROUGH! Can you pick us up from the pub on yer way home?!'

I'm such a good Samaritan!

But, WE'RE FECKIN' THROUGH!!

Doctor, Heal Thyself

I am not well.
Today I payed a visit to me Doc. He's been 'lookin' after me for 30 years now.
I was the last patient before his lunch break.
'Go ahead in Martin,' says he.
He seemed distracted
I went into the room, and waited.
For about five minutes.

He came in.
'Howr'ya doc' says I.
He sat in his chair, head in hands, for a few seconds.
'Martin' says he, 'I was 60 last week, I'm gettin' too feckin' old fer this game!'
'Sure ya don't look it at all doc' says I, 'haven't ye the full heid of hair and ya nearly 10 years younger than meself!
'Can we talk?' says he.
'Shoot' says I.
And for the next 15 minutes or so my doc told me of his woes.
'Thanks' he said, I don't get to do that too often. I'm tired today, the state of this country has people in a bad way. It's getting to me. Did I say I was tired?

We had a laugh after that, we know each other a long time.
And we eventually got to the reason as to why I was there!

I'll survive, despite the procedures he prescribed. (Hopefully!)
He's a good man, my doc.

As I was leaving I said, 'have an easy night, share a bottle of Merlot with Herself, see ya soon'.

'I will' he said, 'thanks Martin'..

'Take it easy T**' says I.

Baby It's Cold Outside

This winter I will mostly be wearing this hat.

And I don't care if I do look like a 'Tube'*!

(*Don't ask! But if you must, ask me Taller pal!)