Leaving the county for a photoshoot

I have some exciting news!

Brace yourselves because I will be leaving Cork this week for the first time in I don’t even know how long.

I actually am trying to remember the last time I went anywhere and I think it’s been well over a year since I left the county.

Considering I was constantly adventuring off somewhere before all these lockdowns happened, it seems strange when I can’t remember the last time I went anywhere.

Well watch out Clare because I am on my way to you this week as I am styling a commercial photoshoot in Doolin and honestly I am just so excited to go somewhere and stay the night in a room that is not my own.

I’ll also be making my first solo long car journey as I passed my driving test in February and the next month we were in lockdown so while I’ve gotten loads of practise driving to and from work and driving in the general West Cork area, I have as of yet not had to go on a long car journey driving on my own.

I’m sure I’ll be fine! I’ll let you know how I get on anyway. Sat nav and an audiobook will be great company on the drive, I’m sure.

One thing I do not miss about going on a trip is the dreaded packing. I just absolutely hate it. I try and be completely prepared and pack well ahead of time but I usually just get my case out, put underwear and pyjamas in there and that gives me a false sense of being sort of packed.

My bag then proceeds to sit in the middle of my floor taunting me for a number of days.

I’m currently just looking at it sitting next to my wardrobe and I can’t motivate myself to put some outfits in there.

I don’t think it helps when you will be shooting outside for some of the day and thus it’s imperative at the moment that you include an outfit that is weather appropriate for every season.

No easy feat when you refuse to be sensible and buy a raincoat. No doubt I will be in a panic the night before and try and cram way too much into my bag all for a two night stay. Ah packing dilemmas, how I’ve missed you.

In other news I simple couldn’t write this week’s column and not mention the Eurovision. Oh my god, what an amazing show!

I definitely feel like this year was one of the best in a long time and fair play to the Netherlands for putting on such a fantastic show to give us the high camp boost we all needed after a year of Covid-19 hell.

I was obviously gutted that Ireland weren’t in it, but we will always have the glory days of Eurovision, Jonny, Linda et al.

I really thought the standard was so high this year and to be fair bar a few songs like Spain which was a snore-fest and Germany which was like a demented kids show on acid (admittedly entertaining), I have to say I loved most of the songs and don’t even get me started on how fantastical the costumes were.

Sequins galore coupled with high octane dance routines, what’s not to love.

I immediately began looking up how to get tickets for next year. Italy 2022...I’m there!