Unhappy Peoples’ Day

November is a bundle of laughs in Germany. I just glanced at the calendar earlier and noticed this Sunday is Volkstrauertag and the following one is Totensonntag – literally “Unhappy Peoples’ Day” followed by “Dead Sunday”.
What kind of country has an Unhappy Peoples’ Day? Jaysus, things are bad enough already – we don’t need a whole bloody day dedicated to celebrating misery. I suppose Dead Sunday is for those for whom the prospect of another Unhappy Peoples’ Day in a year’s time is just too much.
Then those who survive Dead Sunday face the prospect of Advent the following Sunday and we all know what that means – the big C. I dunno which is more depressing.

The fucking chain on my bicycle snapped again today. Chain reaction after the unprovoked attack on the bike lock and self-perpetuating punctures. It never ends. And Ireland is going down the toilet. But my phone’s back in action! And my photos are reaching a wider audience. Swings and roundabouts. Things have been absolutely crazy lately and I apologise for not getting back to your comments and emails and so on. I will in due course. But I’m just so tired now I don’t know if I can even finish this sent