Back from fab holiday!

If you were wondering why I've been so silent recently it's because I was away on the Greek island of Zakynthos for the past week.
It was a fabulous escape... and I am devastated that I am back home and it is all over! I am listening to that Dido song 'Sand in My Shoes' and it is taking on a whole new meaning... and then there's 'Shirley Valentine'... I must go and rent out that movie again soon...
Moving swiftly along.....
The weather was mostly warm and sunny although there was some rain on both Monday and Thursday afternoons. It didn't bother me too much as, realistically, I can't be too much of a sun worshipper... I have that typical Irish skin that simply refuses to tan and instead insists on only pink or red hues and extra freckles! My nose became very visibly pink - sparking some jokes amongst locals (I think their cows are a pink/red colour so I would have fitted in fine grazing in the fields, apparently!)
I was situated in Alikanas, a quiet resort on the Eastern side of the island - and was staying in the Plessas Palace Hotel and Apartments. It's a family run hotel with a really friendly atmosphere and it wasn't long before I was aquainted with both fellow guests and staff. Most evenings ended up in the hotel bar, where I must admit, the "scenery" was quite interesting, if you know what I mean!
Everything was within walking distance and there was even a mini-market on site so everything was so convenient.
Here are a few pics of the hotel....

It's funny how some people want to have everything as it is at home, except with sun... hence, the restaurants advertise English breakfasts; steak, chips and burgers can be found everywhere; and the British tabloids can be found in the shops by the afternoon. Sky Sports is pretty much in every pub and the big soccer matches are advertised as attractions. That is alien to me... when I go away I like to immerse myself in the culture of the place I am in. I want to see the sights, explore new foods and meet the locals. I don't want my routine to be anything like it is at home... but each to their own, I suppose. The Champions League Final was on in Athens and people were wandering around in their Liverpool t-shirts, some having come to Zakynthos first as a means to moving on to Athens for the match (seeing as flights directly to Athens were hard to come by).
For me the only exception was the general election. Being away, I didn't get to exercise my democratic right to vote... but then on Friday evening I got texts from home giving me updates on who was winning and losing... and it was a lot of fun actually... an excuse to celebrate when finding out that a certain politician I dislike had been eliminated!
Anyway the break away was definitely what the doctor ordered.... Although I didn't get quite as much sleep as I thought I would... so I think I need another holiday again soon!
I will post some more pics again soon.... but for the moment here is a serene scene, the view from a restuarant, at which we took a break from a boat trip. Very peaceful looking, don't you think?
Until next time, γιάμας! (Greek for "cheers"!)

RedFM broadcasts live from Mahon Point.

The weekend before last we broadcast live from Mahon Point Shopping Centre on Saturday afternoon, to celebrate the centre's Retail Therapy event.
Over the weekend there was a model competition, workshops from stylist Cathy O'Connor and fashion shows on a specially constructed ramp on the ground floor.... and there was us! I was allowed to escape the studio for a day and meet the people, instead of just imagining them!
Eimear was looking after the tunes back at base, while I was joined by our techie expert Richie and patrollers Louise, Claire and Debbie.
A few pics below....

Another Volunteer!

Following up in the head-shave, here is another RedFM listener who couldn't make it to the official shave day with the other volunteers but who subsequently got rid of his hair on his own time (and the beard too I notice!). He is John Walsh - or Big John as he is known to us on the rado! He sent me in a text when I was on air at the weekend to let me know that the fundraising was going well - having collected almost €600 at this stage! Fair play, man!
Volunteers have the chance to meet up again this week when there will be a special reception in the Blue Angel prior to the opening night of 'The King and I'. Enjoy! You all deserve it!

Here are the before and after shots......
Before...

....And after....

Head-shave in the Blue Angel Bar, Cork Opera House, for Irish Cancer Society.


A few weeks ago I sat down for a chat with Jamie and Amy at Cork Opera House and Margaret from the Irish Cancer Society - and we rolled out a few ideas for a fundraiser.
'The King and I' was coming to the Cork Opera House (whose original actor Yul Brenner was gloriously bald) and so the unfortunate connection with baldness being a side-effect of cancer came up. The idea was that volunteers would engage in a head-shave to raise funds and get a walk-on part in the King and I as a treat in return.
Where I came in, was putting it out on the airwaves of RedFM, along with my colleagues. Happily we got quite a few volunteers through our appeals - and on the day of the head-shave last Tuesday we had gathered 12 volunteers in total.
Joe Speare, the actor who will take the lead in 'The King and I' when it opens next Wednesday even came to Cork for the day to encourage those taking part.
Here he is below in all his glory...

He cuts quite a dashing figure, I'm sure you'll agree!
Among the RedFM listeners participating were brothers Aaron and Karl Durnin. Here below is the 'before' shot...


...but soon those lovely heads of hair were gone.... with Joe even fancying himself as a barber for the day!


Below are two chefs from the Radisson SAS Hotel, James Rendell and Graham Murphy, smiling bravely before their ordeal!

And the after shot.......


Husband and wife team Bart and Majella Spang from Mallow, also RedFM listeners, went for the challenge together. Bart's grandfather survived cancer at one stage, while Majella's father is also a cancer survivor. Hence, the cause is very close to their hearts. None-the-less, we were all very impressed with their generosity in undertaking this challenge - especially Majella, the only woman to volunteer. Here they are just before...


During.....
And after.....!!

Below on the left is cancer survivor Thomas Griffin, from Kerry. Last time he lost his hair it was through cancer treatment so it was a poignant moment for him - and a very brave one.

Others taking part were James Frahill, Thomas Griffin, Paul Healy, Finbarr Hegarty, Barrie O'Mahony and Martin Pinfield. Well done them all! Of course it wouldn't have been possible without the expertise of The Baldy Barber in Blackpool and Franco Barbeari Turkish Barbers on MacCurtain Street - so a big thanks is due to them for giving up their time.



And then of course there was the girl whose locks remained intact.... yes, it's true - I'm not brave enough to go under the shears... but was there to supervise and applaud the endeavours of the others!