The last week has been spent arranging my container that arrived from Thailand

My container finally arrived and I had great fun with revenue and customs getting it cleared!

5 weeks ago when I arrived back in Ireland I asked the Revenue if I could arrange all the paperwork in advance so that when the container arrived everything would be ready to go and there would be no delay. They said that wasnt possible.

So when the container arrived on a Friday evening they phoned me to tell me that I would have to move it within 3 days or I would have to pay a surcharge per day of 150 euros!! I couldnt believe it.

THe agent who was supposed to be helping me was useless! I ended up filling out all the documents myself and going to customs to arrange clearance myself! The agent even tried to charge me for customs clearance even though I did it all myself!!

So the next problem I had was to move the container from the Docks to Glenageary. Most freight forwarders were not interested in the business and were quoting crazy prices. The main problem they all had was that my car was in the container and they would need a ramp to get it off. Most of the agents dont have their own stores or ramps and end up using others! Of course, I get charged a premium just to get the car out of the container.

All in all it cost me over 700 euros to get it from the docks to Glenageary! Thats a joke! Next time (if there is one) I will make sure that I have all this agreed at the outset. I had tried to do that this time but the agent in Thailand really delayed on this and I never, ever got a quote – despite frequent requests. However, time had moved on so much I didnt have any other choice!

Luckily enough for me the truck driver who delivered the container was sound out! He helped me unload the container although he didnt really have to! It took both of us 3 hours and some of the furniture was really heavy stuff. 3 days later my arms are still aching!

Also, there seems to be very little broken which is a testament to how well it was all packed. THe only issue there was my suits were a little crumpled in the car – no big deal though!

So now I have to figure out what I am going to do with all my stuff. My plan is to move into Evans house early June but I dont have much space there at all. Looks like I may have to offload some of the stuff so if you are interested just get in touch.

I also think that this could really be a viable business as long as I can get decent prices in relation to the shipping and distribution.

The big discussion in Ireland is in relation to the Property Market and how stamp duty will be reformed.

All the political parties are starting with all their promises but they seem empty to me. The election has still to be announced yet but they are in full party political broadcast mode!

The RTE programme – Future Shock, Property Crash – was a real piece of sensational journalism! It was totally irresponsible and did NOT give both sides of the story. No doubt it will have an impact on the market where first time buyers will hold off for the moment on the basis that they think the market will go down. The confusion over stamp duty reform just adds to this uncertainty and means that the market is flat!

In Thailand they have agreed the first draft of the Constitution but as yet we dont have full details. They are still saying that elections will be held by the end of the year and I hope this happens.

The property market has definitely slowed down over there too and there are many Real Estate businesses up for sale now. Looks like the boom is over for now and this should be good for the consumer because it will weed out all the dodgy agents and developers.

I still think things will get worse over the next 2 years but there could be some good opportunities out there during this time as some people start to feel the pressure!

United only drew at the weekend with Boro which is not a good result. After their brilliant performance against Roma and a clinical win against Sheffield United it looked like they were back on track. But this has opened the door for Chelsea – hopefully Newcastle can pull off an upset!

The snooker championship has started and I think Ken Doherty is in with a good chance. If Ronnie the Rocket isnt on form then Ken could nick it.

Surprisingly enough I dont think there is a big difference in prices between Thailand and Ireland in relation to IT products. I thought there would be a massive difference but there isnt!

The free availability of counterfeit goods in THailand is certainly a major difference but legitimate goods are pretty much the same.

I still love my Dopod phone and it is working well for me here in Ireland. The only problem is the cost of calls here – they are outrageous!

Still quiet on the social scene – seems like everyone has grown up and settled down! I also think that people just dont go out as much as they used to! Drinking in Ireland is too expensive – 7.20 euros for a pint in town! I couldnt believe it and most people were not even checking their receipts! THe fact that the prices seemed to o up every hour, in the same pub, was just accepted by everyone!

I am really looking forward to getting back into the work scene. I think it will really help with settling back into things in Ireland. I am hoping to have a few more interviews next week and hopefully something will come of that!