Happy New Year from Chauffeurdrive Ireland

The Artic conditions are not going to add to the New Year celebrations here in Ireland as many people will be staying at home tonight. Venturing out on icy roads will not be an attractive proposition for many and even those who can walk to their local pub will be worried about walking home again later on icy pavements. I think that for myself the TV and a nice fire seem to be the best choice. There is something about an open fire that makes it hard to leave the house. Our cold weather spell is set to last well into next week and there are many areas throughout the country where people cannot venture out at all due to the icy conditions. Many homes are without water due to burst pipes and water shortages. After our recent problems with the floods we are really taking a hammering this year. So far i have been blessed as we have had no major problems. Roll on the Springtime. Temperatures tonight are set to plummet to -10 below but right this minute, as i write, the skies are clear and we have a beautiful full moon. If you did not know better you would think that we are in for a lovely evening but that is not what the forecast is predicting.
New Years eve is a time for reflection and in many ways i can say that i am glad that this last year is coming to an end. We have seen so many disturbing events this past year between our economy, our weather problems, our problems within the church, and the whole worldwide situation. It does me good to look back and remember the good things that happened while all of this was going on. Business-wise my year was much better than i expected and this gave me the chance, not only to survive, but to make many more new friends. I know that some of them will be reading my blog. I just want to make sure that you all know that i have not forgotten the great times we had and how much you all helped me to forget about the crazy things that were going on. I have been fortunate that as a private driver/guide/tour operator i am in a business where i do get to meet many people and get to spend meaningful time with them. My business is not one where i am just a driver who stays in the background in his cap and uniform waiting to be told where to go next. I always feel like one of the group on holiday with my friends. When i am with people who are excited about where they are and what they are experiencing i too feel the same way. I love what i do and i love my country and it is a privilege to show it to my new friends. To get paid for doing it makes it even better. Unfortunately i have to charge as it is an expensive business to be in. This year i am really offering attractive rates as i know that people everywhere are finding the going tough due to the recession. I think that all of us in business have to play our part in trying to give real value.
We leave the old year behind hoping that the signs are there for an improvement as the recession seems to be on the wane. It is early days yet but many feel that we are coming out of it and maybe we should all say a little prayer that things will continue to get better....especially for the needy. Many of us complain but there are people who have much better reason to complain that us. Let us all remember to keep these people in mind and try to donate a little when we can to the organizations who best know how to distribute this help to those in need.
My wish for all my friends is that we continue to look out for each other and for those who need our help. That we continue to have good health, a decent dinner every day and a warm bed to sleep in at night, in a cosy warm and dry home. That we are surrounded by those we love and that they too enjoy good health.That our memories of those who have gone before us leave us with the feeling that they have not gone far and are still watching over us. Let us remember them in our prayers also.
May the New Year be good to you all and may you be blessed with good health and good fortune ....and loads of love.

Happy New Year

Dave