Day 7

I was picked to go to Ian Daly’s house on Wednesday May 17^th. We had a half-day off school as new desks were being delivered. Ian's aunt Marian collected us from school at 12.30 p.m. and brought us to her house, where we had lunch. At four o’clock she dropped us up to John O'Grady’s house and John and Ian went to football practice. It was lashing rain. John’s mother minded me while they were gone. We had coffee and biscuits and a good chat. I was telling her all about Newfoundland and she was telling me things about Tram ore. Ian’s Mum collected us at 5.30, as she                          I love chocolate
 works in Waterford for Eircom, the telephone company. He all headed for Ian’s house then. Ian showed me all around the house and especially his bedroom, which is covered with football posters. Ian is a big fan of Manchester United Football team. He has even gone over to Manchester to see them playing. You can read a report of his last visit in the news section of this website. 

We had our dinner in a hurry, as we wanted to watch a football match on the telly. It was the UEFA Cup Final, which is a competition for the top European football clubs. The game was between Arsenal, a team from England and Galatasary, a team from Turkey. It was a very exciting match and it ended in a draw. As it was a final and there was no winner after normal time, which is 45 minutes for each half, the referee had to plat 30 mints extra to decide a winner. Well after another 30 minutes of really exciting football there was still no score, so it went to a penalty shoot out. This is where one player has to score a goal from the penalty spot against one goalkeeper. Exciting stuff. Well, we were all glued to our seats as the players stepped up to take the penalties. Arsenal missed the first penalty and then another and in the end they lost 4 to 2. Soccer is really an exciting game especially when it goes to a penalty shoot out. 

As the match went on longer than expected, Ian’s Dad ordered us a pizza from Gino’s in Waterford. It was really tasty. After we had eaten the pizza we went straight to bed. As we both were very tired we went asleep straight away. We were too tired even to have a chat or even a story. At about 2.30 am I woke up wondering where I was. I looked over to see Ian sound asleep. I felt something else on the bed as well. I sat up slowly and heard a sort of purring noise. It was Whiskers, Ian’s cat. We also was asleep. I turned over very quietly and hoped he would stay asleep, as I am a bit afraid of animals. I was restless as I was afraid he might jump on me in my sleep and attack me.  I gave Ian a dig in the ribs. “Ian, wake up” I whispered. I had to do this a few times. Eventually Ian opened his sleepy eyes. “What’s wrong with you, Tuckamore” he asked. “There is something down at the end of the bed,” I told him. “It’s only, Whiskers. He won’t touch you”. “Well, I’m scared” I told him. “Listen, go back asleep, he is a friendly cat. He won’t touch you”. “I hope you are right, Ian, as I have been attacked before by other animals” . 

So I put my head on the pillow and hoped Ian was right. The next morning, we woke up early and I met Ian’s two dogs, Sooty and Spot. This was a little scary, as they are both very big dogs. We got washed, dressed and headed for the kitchen. Ian had to give the animals their breakfast first. Then we had our breakfast and it was back to school. I enjoyed my stay in Ian’s house.

Ian Daly
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