I meant to tell you about how friendly the Irish folk are. Complete strangers treat you like long lost friends, for example you might be entering a building and there is someone coming out at the same time. They will look you straight in the eye and say "Good mornin, how are ya? Isn't it a grand day?" And you almost get the feeling that they are going throw their arms around you and kiss you on both cheeks.

The hospitality staff we have met are just the same. For instance, I think it was on our Belleek day out when we were having a pub lunch, the waiter asked John if he would like mashed potatoes and vege with his meal or would he prefer chips and salad. Then he kindly offered John "a bit of boat, if you like". John was stunned into momentary silence and I almost responded on his behalf that although that would be lovely, on account of having false teeth, the boat might be a bit difficult. But I stopped myself in the nick of time from making an ass of myself.

Then there is the "wee" word. Someone is always taking the mick out of me in Brisbane for sprinkling this word in my conversation, usually pointing out that it is a NZ thing. Well folks, you ought to listen to the Irish. They find a space for "wee" in every sentence. For instance, "take a wee seat over there", "would you like a wee such and such", "it's only a wee whatever" and so on. I felt like a complete amature when it came to the use of "wee" while in Ireland.