#21 - Wednesday 25/7 at Druids Resort (south of Dublin)

This morning I thought - "bugger it, I'm staying here today". That off course means no Guinness factory tour, but I don't care. I had a very very relaxing day and even got a bit of work done. Breaky was probably the first I've had that didn't leave me feeling any sense of regret for eating it since I've been on tour! It was just perfect (or maybe I finally got the portion size correct!). My golf lesson and massage were planned and I thought I'd do some exploring as well. Dinner at the ritzy restaurant is also locked in. Aaahhhh... Just nice! So I thought I'd go for a wander around, try to find the driving range and I ended up walking around the entire estate - too far really but that's what happens I guess. It was very scenic. Very peaceful. A few birds flying around, but no other wildlife besides a massively fat bubble bee. Never seen one like it! I was quite nervous about the massage I booked in for, but I was talked through it by an expert - she started off with the oil  (almost burnies hot, I might add) and then slammed into some deep tissue manevours that caused a certain level of uncomfortablness... Is this actually supposed to make me feel relaxed?! She seemed to calm down, albeit she was persistent in getting out those last muscle knots, and then started on my legs. OMG - highly recommended. Feels great! After I had endured my massage (!) I decided to settle into a but of work - just setting the scene for when I go back on Monday. I know - it's kind of the wrong way around! Before long - time to get the clubs out for a golf lesson. How good is it to try something new. After the lesson I felt super great and ultra positive to give it crack more often than I have done in the past. However, I am missing out on one classic story - I should have seen it coming a mile away... I walked out of the reception after being prompted in the general direction of the driving range. Looking up I see a guy carrying three clubs, and instantly thought, that must be Patrick, ex-PGA pro, who's taking me for my lesson. He was carryingt here clubs, which made sense as I asked to borrow some, not having my own. It all fitted nicely, so I tried to catch up. I did feel some resistance whilst looking at him - for an ex-PGA golfer he had really let himself go! I still brisk walked to catch up and see anyway. Once we were walking side-by-side-ish, I say "Hi. Patrick?" (insert Irish accent now): "Oh hello there, how are ya?" Whew, I thought - it was him, "Yeah, good, you?" "Oh I'm alright, just going down to have a few swings". Well that's good, I thought, 'cause I've booked you for half an hour and if there were no swings involved, I might want my money back, ya goose! I kind of followed him and he didn't say too much, which scared me. Looking back on it, it would have scared me too. He looked at the shed with the padlock on it and asked "Do you know how we can open this?" Again, alarm bells were sounding... We walked on to the driving range where some nice chap was helping another bloke with his golf swing. "Great!" I thought, another guy helping my Patrick out! Uh-oh. That guy who was helping waved and shouted "Heath, is it? I'll be right wit ya!" oh no. I had the wrong guy. When they real Patrick came over and shook my hand, he helped fake Patrick with opening the shed. I prayed - don't say anything fake Patrick... "This guy thought I was you! He followed me down the hill think I was gonna help him with his golf game." Bugger. I had to laugh - "Sorry mate, I thought you were the pro!" "err... No, no, no. I'm no pro my friend!" we had a laugh and I got down to business of 'Adam-Scott-ifying' my golf swing. Real Patrick asked me to practice a few shots - they went everywhere. Filled with embarrassment I slowed down my swings. When he came over he said... "Ok swing through a few and let's see how we go." next three swings - perfect. What the hell? He reckons it was cause I relaxed etc. etc. but I still felt like a bit of a tool... Anyway, after the lesson I had quite a good understanding of what to do and look forward to playing a few holes with a little. Ore consistency in future! Right now I'm having pre-dinner drinks before ordering whatever the hell I want from the menu in the 5star restaurant. Nice! Glad I've done it this way - the trip is coming to an end in a very classy way! I am really keen to get back home, and know it will take about 35hrs of flying or waiting in airports, but that's what it takes. Just hoping I get through customs etc... Bit scared about that...