Claire's blog

Blimey. Almost a month since my last post! Over the last month I’ve….

Finally finished, printed, bound and submitted my thesis!!!!!! That’s one thing less to worry about, at least until my viva on August 11th. Wish me luck.

Been to Galway for my second interview. They flew me out one night and put me up in the Westwood House Hotel (which was 4 star, very nice, and had a little bottle of wine waiting in the room), then picked me up the next morning for a day of giving a talk, discussions, interviews, and tours of the centre. Everyone seemed very nice, and the job is basically what I was doing for my PhD, but taken on a stage. And, I was offered the job! So I’ve now left the ranks of the unemployed, and have my first post-doc job at the NCBES at NUI Galway.

This meant going on a jolly to Galway with Mum to look for an apartment. We flew into Shannon airport, picked up a hire car, and drove up to Galway, which gave us a chance to see the countryside a little. We took the N18 most of the way, which is apparently a primary national road. It started off that way, but quickly became a little single lane road taking us through a succession of villages and towns. We were in no hurry though, so we sat back and enjoyed the ride. We ended up with an upgrade of car from the one we’d booked, but we were so grateful as the new one had air-con, and it was baking hot. Really meant we got to see that part of Ireland at it’s best. We stayed at the Forster Court Hotel this time, which wasn’t bad, but not quite as good as the Westwood House 🙂

We saw three apartments, and I choose the first one we visited, in Knocknacarra, and only 10-15 min drive from the university.

My windows are the top right and middle.

As well as the kitchen/dining/living room, I’ve got two double bedrooms (one ensuite), a bathroom, hallway and box room. The master bedroom also has a little balcony!!

The view is a bit spoiled by the building site at the moment, but in the distance you can see Galway Bay.

The weather was gorgeous, and the centre of Galway is very colourful!

We were able to look around Galway a little, and of course we had to take Willbeary with us when we went to sample the Guinness.

and they start the buskers very young here!

After visiting the letting agents to sign the contract, we enjoyed an ice cream on the promenade looking over the bay