I've really enjoyed Paris the few times I've been there, and when I was invited to go celebrate my friend Derek's birthday there, I jumped at the chance.

Why haven't I updated the site? Am I still alive? Where am I?

I am, in fact, alive. After spending a week in Cambridge, England at the beginning of August, I came back to Ireland. I spent several weeks on Inishmore and now I'm in Donegal. I'm a 3k walk to expensive internet access, so I've just been keeping up on email.

I'm sure I'll have more things to write about later on. Stay tuned!

I've posted a few pictures from my brief trip to Scotland.

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When you log in, a box will appear on the left hand side of the page with a link to the photo gallery. If you have log in problems, please email me and I'll sort it out.

When I was in Baltimore, Ireland, I was sitting alone at a table outside and, because all the tables were full, a Scottish band called Harem Scarem sat with me. They had played at McCarthy's Fiddle Fair on the opening night, and were just relaxing and enjoying the remainder of their time there before they left the following day to go back to Scotland. They got me into the show that night and we had a great night of partying and music. I kept in touch with them throughout my travels in Ireland and met up with a couple of the members in Belfast. One of them invited me to an all-weekend party on the Isle of Eigg, off the West coast of Scotland. How could I refuse such an invitation?

I've finished putting up some photos of my recent trip to Ireland for your perusal and, perhaps, pleasure.

As usual, you must sign up and log in before you can see them. Your email address will not be folded, spindled, mutilated, or sold to the highest bidder. I promise. [Here's my Privacy Policy.]

When you log in, a box will appear on the left hand side of the page with a link to the photo gallery. If you have log in problems, please email me and I'll sort it out.

I have included photos from Cape Clear Island, Inisheer and Inishmore in the Aran Islands, and Derry and Belfast in Northern Ireland. Hope you enjoy them!

The first time I visited Belfast in February 1997 it was cold, dark, and raining. When I arrived at the hostel, Arnie's Backpackers, I was welcomed with a hot drink and a fire in the fireplace and made to feel at home. I spent a few days there and, besides wandering around Belfast, I went on the 'Troubles Tour' in a Black Taxi, which gave quite an interesting perspective on the Northern Ireland problem. In wandering around the city, I encountered many military patrols, on foot and in armoured cars, with weapons at the ready. These made me feel a little uneasy, but I felt safe - in an authoritarian sort of way. When I arrived in Belfast this time, seven years later, I thought I'd take a look around to see how things had changed.