My experiences in this class have all been great! From the point of view of visiting students in schools I find that many schools do not have much in the line of technology available to our HDE students. While class rooms do have the proverbial blackboard/whiteboard and TVs/videos only some students have access to OHPs not to mind data projectors. While all schools have computer rooms and equipment most are hesitant to allow student teachers access to same.

Life in Galway is wonderful. It is a wonderful city with great facilites for everyone. My own favourite is the sea. Galway Bay is a wonderful place and is only a short drive away from anywhere in the city. The Prom is widely used and a free resource to everyone. Blackrock has a wonderful diving tower but not too long ago this was a 'Men Only' zone and ladies were not allowed to venture into this area. The ladies were permitted to swim further up the beach at the 'Ladies' Beach' so if a group of friends wanted to get together they were not permitted to swim together! And that was not that long ago.

Sunday was a busy day with a Dressage Ireland Training Day in Ballygar Equestrian Centre, Ballygar, Co Galway. The day started at 10.30 am. with registration and coffee. 30 people made the trip and 5 demonstration tests were ridden. Rachel Silke rode Rathleen Spideog for the Primlininary Test and rode very nicely indeed. Lunch was a delicious affair with Sarah English's great soup!! Bernard Finneran kept the kettle boiling and make sure everyone was topped up for the day. The most enjoyable bit of the afternoon for me was the musical ride. A great day was had by all.

Day 2: We continued with our Blogging Sessions today. It was interesting to be able to access the newly created blog and to edit the entries. Something new learned today.

Dressage news: Sunday is the first day of the Western Dressage Winter League. The show will be held in Creagh Equestrian Centre, Ballinasloe starting at 10 o'clock. Rachel is hoping to ride in the Preliminary Test I and Test II.