The Pilgrims Progress

Lourdes is a strange place, at once confusing, noisy, bustling, tacky and peaceful. The cacophony reaches it's zenith during the week of the 15th August as the week combines both the feast day of the Assumption and also the Gypsy festival.

I'm going to publish some photo's here the rest are on flickr just click through to find them.


The Basillica


Torchlight Procession







I met some fabulous people in the last week, I faced my demons and conquered them, I bonded with my lovely mother, and crazy aunts. I found myself again.

I'm not afraid anymore of what I have left behind, I can face the next step and I can't be hurt. I've found my strength again.

It's time to move on.

Canal Bank Walk

Canal Bank Walk - Patrick Kavanagh



Leafy-with-love banks and the green waters of the canal
Pouring redemption for me, that I do
The will of God, wallow in the habitual, the banal,
Grow with nature again as before I grew.



The bright stick trapped, the breeze adding a third
Party to the couple kissing on an old seat,
And a bird gathering materials for the nest for the Word
Eloquently new and abandoned to its delirious beat.



O unworn world enrapture me, encapture me in a web
Of fabulous grass and eternal voices by a beech,
Feed the gaping need of my senses, give me ad lib
To pray unselfconsciously with overflowing speech
For this soul needs to be honoured with a new dress woven
From green and blue things and arguments that cannot be proven.

Oh Help!

I've bought a set of denby for myself over the last few days?



Pretty isn't it?

Does this make me old?

Mel oh Mel

Oh dear it seems that the once beloved Mel Gibson (who I once dreamed of as swimming in a glass of gin and tonic and using the lemon as a float) is in the doghouse.

Not only was he caught drink driving but he has also (allegedly) reportedly was mouthing off anti-semitic comments (see link) .

What is a hollywood star to do?

We've had mugshots of Hugh Grant after his flagranté with Divine Browne prevously released to the press now we await the musgshot of Mel after his conversation with the LA PD concerning his thoughts on the Jewish involvement in wars. Not very nice is it?

However should we consider the Israeli attack on Lebanon in his comments?

To anyone with a thought in their head the current infraction (war) on Lebababon isn't exactly good conduct is it?

I'm definately not of the anti-semitic variety but I have to say that I one hundred percent disagree with the onslaught that the ordinary Lebanese civillian has had to deal with in the last fortnight.

From my reading of history I commend what the Jews have had to offer society as a whole. Their approach to civilisation and order is something we can all learn from. However the current and indeed the historich approach of the Israeli state, to the sovereignty of its borders is not something to admire. Hizbollah are not without blame but the ordinary citizen in Lebanon is. The current onslaught needs to stop now. Whether or not Syria is to blame for the attacks is currently irrelevant. People are dying, innocent people, and the UN seem to be powerless to stop it. Blaming the Jews is not helpful in this regard. Blaming the State of Israel would be more appropriate.

I read an article by Robert Frisk (who is a journalist who is willing to put himself on the front line) and he indicated that Hizbollah deliberatley goaded the Israelies into action by capturing 2 of their soldiers. I have no doubt this is true. But the Israeli reaction is not proportionate.

How many more innocent children, men and women have to die before this current upset will end?

Mel Gibson shouldn't have mouthed off when drunk and while being caught drink driving but he has opened another can of worms. Don't ya think?