Laois
Date:
28th January 2007
Report:
Dave Francis
After a quick chat with Big Brian, it was decided that the Kilkenny expoits had taken far too long, and we were thus left with a conundrum: abandon one county, or leave ourselves (especially Pecker) with a long late journey home with work the next day. We chose the former. Kildare was to be postponed for another time so that we could concentate proper on the other stone: Laois.
Another blast of Willem Tell got our weary legs back in shape and JP told me some of his poems and they were marvellous (after a few drinks). Nah seriously, we kept goin onward towards Portlaoise and the Rock of Drumanais. Those nerds out there reading would be interested to know that my good friend William of Orange used to dwell in these old ruins. Such a view from them aswell.
Debating the task to be done, we eventually decided to do a death defying walk around the steep perimeter hills followed by fucking a few stones down to the woods below. The satisfactory "ding" wed hear when the falling stones hit the trees reminded me of the satisfaction we all get in collecting our stones. We took a few photos and headed off. We subsequently came back, having forgotten to play Willem Tell, as was tradition by now. Leaving the rock again, we departed for Portlaoise and ate some grub.
Back up the M7 to Naas and another rendition of "round we go...heel to the toe" before dropping off the first CASA member Johnnus Pattus. We managed to confuse cameras and the net result is that my cam and electic toothbrush remain in Naas as i speak. We made haste for Athlone via Portarlington where we picked up another passenger by the name of Laura. Brian topped the car up in the super-cheepcheep Tesco station in Tullamore and before long we were back in the peaceful surroundings of Willow Crescent. We said our goodbyes to Pecker, bound for Limerick and went to bed.
A magical weekend all in all. I feel very cultural for it all. As i speak, i have planned locations for the next few stones. Rumour has it well do another trip at the end of the month and also well do Malin Head, Donegal the most northern part of our island, sometime in summer. CASA, my lads and lassies, is back with a kick a scream and a 32-hit combo baby!