International Rules Australia v Ireland Croke Park I came over especially for the game and we got thrashed by about 30-40 points! The weather wasn't too bad for the match but the rest of the weekend was cold and drizzly. I went to Belfast on a day trip Saturday and it was very interesting. I learnt so much but want to learn more. The things Northern Ireland have gone through and are still going through is unbelievable. I took a black cab ride through the 'no go zones' where all the murals are painted on the sides of houses. There's a huge wall separating the Protestants and Catholics. Bombs used to be thrown over the wall into houses. There's plenty of writing scrawled over the wall, mostly peace messages. There's still two big iron gates into these parts that get shut everynight and no one gets in or out. It's quite confronting and it's in your face everywhere you go. They really hate each other and things don't seem to be progressing as it all gets passed down through generations. It was like we entered another country, it's so different to Dublin. It's a must for anyone travelling overseas! On sunday I went to the ground early to watch the International Women's Camogee (Hurling) Final Great Britain v Ireland. Some of my gaelic team mates were playing in the GB Team but they lost but heaps unfortunately. It was a good crowd for them at least and they got to play at Croke Park. I was intending to go to a pub nearby first but they were all shut until 12 noon to my suprise! There's also no alcohol at the ground so it was a drinking free day for a change and in Ireland of all places! Back to the game main - well I'm not sure if we actually participated! We had three big advantages - height, strength and tackling. We didn't win in any of these parts so it was all over before it started. We couldn't kick and the Irish ran all over us. The aussies we're also out numbered in the crowd which is generally unusual and those of us who were there didn't make a sound. I checked out the Gaelic Museum and Croke Park is a great Stadium - nothing compared to Adelaide Oval and the hill of course! While Kingy is off enjoying the bloody sun in California and I'm back to good old freezing London and a pile of uni books. Take care and remember it's less than 8 weeks and well be back! Megs x