I went to Ireland again

I did. I went to a place called Cork (I thought those were what stops wine coming out of wine bottles?) because there was a festival called FRank O Connor.

Remember? He's the nice man who said I could go and gave my batty writer a few days there as an early Christmas present. Actually, I met his daughter, who was a really lovely lady. I wish SHE had written me. She's much nicer than my batty writer. I wish she hadn't come to Cork, really. I am a real party animal, and she only spoils it.

Still.

There were lots of me on a table every day, and we moved about. One day I was next to Jhumpa Lahiri's book, (Unaccustomed Earth, the one that won the big prize) and the next I was with An Instruction manual for Swallowing, by Adam Marek. He's great. Looks like a film star. I must grow up fast. He bought moi, actually...so there.

There were loads of readings, and they were really good. My batty writer talked to a lot of the writers, and drank far too much Corona which is not pop, like it used to be when she was a girl, but is beer.

One day, my batty writer went for a walk with Mrs Salt (a lady called Jen Hamilton Emery). They went all round Cork, and into this park where there was a Peace Festival. oooo-er. It was full of tents, and music, and clothes and dogs and children and drums and hats and the air was full of sort of blue smoke. My batty writer was dancing, and I was sooooooo embarrassed.

When we came out, my batty writer said 'I feel a bit light headed'. Mrs Salt said she did too.

I doont think it had anything at all to do with the blue smoke.

But anyway. I had lunch with Jhumpa Lahiri who is dead famous. Only even though she is called Jhumpa, mine is better.

My writer takes loads of photos. Only they are all of walls. I SAID she was mad....