back in the red: ROUND IRELAND WITH A FRIDGE (BOOK)
posted by Matt Drzymala, review by Sarah Cowieson

Thanks to Mr Hawks, I now get very odd looks from my fellow passengers on the bus to work in the morning! Why? Because reading about his exploits travelling Round Ireland with a Fridge is one of the funniest books I have ever read! Take heed of the quote on the cover from the Sunday Independant - "Not just brilliantly written, but far too hilarious to read alone in a public place" The comedian (not the skateboarder!), who has also made numerous appearances on Red Dwarf, tells us of his exploits after his mate drunkenly bets him one hundred pounds that he can't hitch hike around the circumference of Ireland with a fridge, within one calender month. .

Now most of us would probably throw that paper away and pray that your mate has no recollection of it whatsoever

Not Tony Hawks! With some trepidation, he sets about honouring this rather bizzare challenge, and we should be grateful he did! His journey begins in Dublin, from there he takes his domestic appliance and travelling companion to Sligo and Tory Island amongst other places he manges to sucessfully hitch to. He quickly gains the support of a radio station who track his progress and encourage passers by to pick him up. Luckily for Tony, a lot of the people of Ireland did just that.

He also got to meet a wide range of people including the King of Tory Island and a Mother Superior who blessed the fridge! Half way through his travels, the locals in one of the pubs christen the fridge Saiorse (pronounced 'Seersha'. Meaning - Freedom). The support he gets from the people he meets is tremendous, the book is certainly a good advert for Ireland and the Irish. I've never been but now I am even more keen to go and hopefully enjoy the same hospitality, except I don't think I'd get the free accommodation! Despite that luxury, Tony still suffers the indignation of having to relieve himself in someone's garden and coming face to face with a fellow hiker who's ride he pinched!!

It really is a funny tale, and there are even some photos of Saiorse and some of Tony's supporters. A great book if you're in need of a bit of a laugh, but just think about where you are when you're sniggering over his struggle of how to pronounce 'Carrerreraragh', or is it 'Carrecloughnarreraragh'?!

Be careful what you wish for, or if drunk, be careful what you bet on!

by Sarah Cowieson