clairesadventure

Ireland rocks! been over there for 2 weeks and had a great time, admittedly I didn't see a whole lot of it, Dublin at either end and then in Rossport, a small coastly community in County Mayo, West Coast of Ireland for the entire time but it was 'grand' as we say in the land of the lepricorns (not that I saw any). Stayed at the Rossport Solidarity Camp - literally camping in a peat bog (water, water and boggy mud!) supporting those who have been there for over2 months already at the invitation of the local community to help in their campaign to stop Shell oil from putting a big ugly pipe line through their lands to bring in gas from sea to a refinery inland. Five farmers refused to sell their land under compulsory sales legislation and ended up in prison under contempt - so have spent over 70 days inside.. its a big campaign and quite a big issue in Ireland, covers so many areas like environmental destruction, health and safety, rights and empowerment of communities, corruption in government, the use of energy and fossil fuels etc so could go on and on but for those interested check out www.shelltosea.com or www.indymedia.ie for the full low down. Anyways the countryside where we were was stunning, went swimming, long walks, clear stary nights, nights of Irish music and Guinness, even shovelled very rich and smelly manure all day to raise funds for the campaign!
Now back in London and getting set for a week of actions against DSEi (defence systems and equipment international) which is the largest arms fair in Europe selling everything from sub-machine guns to cluster bombs, tanks and B52 bombers... nice one chaps. So that should be mighty interesting.
Sounds like I only ever go from protest to protest but at the moment thats pretty much been it! there is so much going on, and so many worthy causes, also means I can travel around and live really cheaply, meet lots of lovely people and do something worthwhile.. but soon I will need to 'settle down', probably find somewhere to live for the winter and get some work again. Have a few options open but its all a bit up in the air at the moment, will see where the wind takes me next!
Missing the people and the land back home (Ireland was much more like NZ than England and made me miss it!) so if you find the time to write and tell me whats happening in your world/s please do!
In a bit of a hurry so will cut it short now, be back soon thought.
Ka Kite.