Today the snow is back in South Down. After a few days of respite the temperatures have dropped and the white blanket has returned. It was this time last week, a few days after my arrival home from Argentina, that the first tranche of much heavier snow fell rendering the roads around Warrenpoint undriveable and closing many workplaces and schools. I stepped out of the front door, hat and gloves adorned, my walking boots dryly crunching on the...

On Friday I leave for Quito in Ecuador. And I am worried about the Penis Fish. The Penis Fish first came to my attention in May on Platform 4 in Sepilok, surrounded by semi-wild Orang-Utans, whilst having a discussion with a Dutch volunteer, Eline. The conversation began with my imminent journey to South America and she proceeded to tell me a story about a guy bathing in the Amazon river who decided to take a pee. The conversation ended wit...

And so it is that I am back in Warrenpoint. I arrived home on Saturday past to a dark and dreary Dublin airport and to Irish potatoes. As I write, however, I pack, and this evening I leave again, this time for the jungles of Malaysian Borneo and Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre where I will be volunteering for the next two months. The last few days back in the Mournes have been busy. Busy with visits to my always accommodating GP, Dr....

Just taking a moment away from the packing to post my first blog. I have purchased my ridicously expensive malerone to make sure I don't pick up malaria and bought some fresh panties and work boots. I leave tomorrow for West Africa, although it appears that there were a number of flights cancelled from Dublin this morning so I am hoping that I do indeed get to London to make my connection. For the next three months I will be living in Ghana...