Did a days work

On the dole hay?

I actually did a days work for my younger brother (didn’t get paid though)

My younger brother Arren (not his real name but sounds like it and starts with a D) is a carpenter and is doing work for the SEI - Sustainable Energy Ireland scheme.  Which means he goes to peoples homes and insolates there attics, water tanks, pipes and hot water tanks. He also draft proofs there windows and doors and gives the customer energy efficient bulbs for the house. Sounds great doesn’t it? The only catch is he has to travel halfway down the country to do this. You would think there would be more than enough work in Dublin to sustain business, but no!  It seems some other company has got all the work in Dublin. He spends 6 to 8 hours travelling each day.

 I have to admit it was a wee bit of a shock getting up early to go to work. But at 5.30am, I think most people would feel the same. I have to say 5.30am on a May morning is beautiful as long as the weather is good, and it was.

The day went like this

5.30am get up, wash, let dog out, coffee, breakfast (bowl of muesli with natural yogurt) let dog back in again.

6.05 got into car and drove to Arren’s house

6.30 arrived at Arrens house and we got into his van and drove to the supply yard.

7.20 arrived at supply yard and loaded up van with insulation products and Arren went into office to find out what jobs he would have for next few days.

7.50am left supply yard and went to petrol station to put diesel in the van.€75 per day

8.00am on the road to South Tipperary (it’s a long way to Tipperary. And it is!)

11.55am finally get to destination to start insolating customer’s house. And once this job is done we are on the road again to the next customers house. Normally two houses a day. And so on until we arrive back at Arren’s house for the 10 o’clock news. And he does this 5 or 6 days a week.

Anyway, I’m sure you all get the picture.  Most of the time was driving too and from the destination. Seems silly really when you think about it as he is working for the Sustainable Energy Ireland scheme and has to drive so far each day. Fare play to Arren as he really works very hard to bring in a small crust and pay his mortgage.

I suppose it wasn’t that long ago when I used to leave the house at 8.10am to cycle the 10 miles to do a full days physical work (cabinet making) with only one 30 minute break and then probably do the overtime and cycle back the 10 miles in time for the 10oclock news. The thing is, I used to love the cycle and was really fit then and also I was saving up for a deposit for a house. I’m sure if I did a few days with Arren a week, I would start to loose the weight. I really miss not having a job with a wage packet each week so I can pay all my bills and mortgage. I think the thing I miss the most is not having a purpose and goal to work towards. Being on the dole is not easy and in many ways it is almost like being in hibernation.