Irish Farmhouse Olympics

Well, the prefect course turned out to be quite… interesting- But in an intriguing kind of way. I expected it to be all dull, dull, dull. Well actually the mornings were mind-numbingly dull but the afternoons I have to say got rather interesting.
On Monday afternoon, we were split into six groups. My team name was the Spacers. We had to build something that we could all fit into (which was 12 people) out of bamboo sticks, selotape, newspapers, crepe paper and blocks of wood. Seen as I am a N*E*R*D with no imagination (with building, not with writing essays and that) and no practical skills whatsoever I was a completely useless asset to the team. But it seemed that all my fellow team mates were the same as I, for what we made resembled a rather large cardboard box that had been shredded by a cat. Whereas some of the other teams built a pirate ship, a tepee hut and a phone booth… we were most certainly lacking anything even remotely resembling imagination. Needless to say our team won nothing.
Tuesday afternoon, was much better…We did the IRISH FARMHOUSE OLYMPICS! I was on a different team and we were called The Rockers (much better name). However, I was still a useless asset to the team because we needed muscle and frankly my muscles are null and void, me being anaemic and all that. We done several events… they were great.

1. The Hay Race: This was one of the races/events I was useless in… we had to push a big bitching bail of hay all the way to the other side of a field (in pairs of course, one person would never push a bail of way on their tod!) and all the way back (which- may I add was slightly uphill). I found it very difficult and it took me about 5 minutes to get my breath back.

2. Tug-a-war: I’m not going to bother explaining this because if you don’t know what tug-a-war is you should be ashamed of yourself. Anyway, our team won both rounds and it is the reason why my arms are crying out in pain!

3. Balance thingy: I didn’t participate in this event because after the tug-a-war I had stars in my eyes from the strain (I’m not used to using that much energy) But anyway, the jist of it was the whole team had to stand on a really big see saw and try to keep it balanced. Our team lost (obviously because they were missing me. Not.).

4. The Welly Toss: In case you are a townie and are unfamiliar with a welly… they are more commonly known as Wellington boots and are of high fashion among farmers when they go out to round up the sheep. Anyway, there was four points (1,2,3,4) and we had to throw four wellies as far as we could so there was an opportunity to get 16 points… I got five.

5. The Wheelbarrow Race: But not as you know it. This was definitely the best event of the day. And it was the only event that I was actually useful in! My light-weightedness came in very handy. I had to sit in a wheelbarrow while my friend pushing me BLINDFOLDED. I had to guide her over a plank of wood and around several baskets and then I had to get a jug of water off the last basket and go all the way back and pour the water into the bucket. I did fall out… but only once… and we were the only pair that didn’t cheat!

6. Untitled: It was cool.. There were two really long pieces of wood with loads of rope connected to them. We had to put a foot on each piece of wood and the whole team had to try beat the other team to the other side of the field. It’s very difficult because if one person doesn’t lift their foot then the wood won’t move.

So, what has the Irish Farmhouse Olympics have to do with perfecting I hear you cry… I have no idea… but it was great craic. Our team didn’t win any medals though…

Well, I have to go into the hospital in the morning. It’s quite a busy day healthwise. I have to do my injection before I go, then I have the Iron infusion at 9am at the hospital and then I have an appointment later on! I’m never going to get out of the place!

We finally went out for dinner with voucher the sister and I bought for the mother and the father’s wedding anniversary. My starter was my favourite part of the meal. I had garlic mushrooms and they were sitting in melted butter… they were just delicious. I also had scampi for my main course and ice cream for dessert. Yummy.

Laters

Sal