The week that was

Well we made it back safe & sound and we are still recovering! We had a great week in Dublin but of course we didn't get to see everyone or do everything that we had hoped to do - there just never seems to be enough time.

Friday night after we had a welcome party at Betty & Albert’s; followed by Irish bacon & sausage; we snoozed for a bit, then headed out to Raffle Madness at the kids’ school – what a laugh! Alison did a great job up on the stage (see pictures). Saturday morning I made a beeline for the shops – well Liffey Valley to meet Sandie & Laura for a bit of girlie Retail Therapy (Monsoon, Laura Ashley, and Wallis - so much better than Halifax shops!!)! Definitely a highlight to be shopping in Dublin again!

Saturday night we had planned to go out but the lads managed a few pints in a local hostelry before adjourning back to Prospect and we stayed in with Ross, Siobhan & Anna; ate Chinese and enjoyed a few drinks.

Sunday was a grey day, not much of a view from the top of Stocking Lane so we decided to head for Blackrock & Dundrum. The Christmas mayhem was well underway – luckily we weren’t part of the shopping frenzy, we were happy just to wander. There were some obvious highlights; Sunday night has to one of them - 15 of us for dinner at Yo Thai in Mount Merrion, courtesy of Mark & Alison. If you haven't seen the pictures, click on the link above. After dinner we went back to Alison & Mark's new house where Christmas came early for the kids (& parents) in the form of presents from Canada. The missing suitcase which just happened to contain penknives; firestarters and dog tags for the youngest boys (all Cub Scouts now) turned up!

Waking up in Alison & Marks on Monday morning was one of those “where am I?” moments, however a quick look out the window and we remembered where we were. A leisurely breakfast (more bacon & sausage – we did miss that!) and back to base. I left Jonathan dozing on the couch while I went off for a well-needed massage with the best hands in Dublin – Blaithin when are you coming to visit? After a very relaxing afternoon, it was out to dinner with the girls – great to catch up with Michelle, Sandra & Dee – and a lovely meal – Thanks Ladies!

Lucy's birthday was on Tuesday, we had another great family night at Sandra & Roy's place. And we managed a visit to Grafton Street, a drink in The Bailey that afternoon. Wednesday morning saw a road trip to Belfast (travelled up with Ross, Siobhan & Alison) to meet my Mum, who despite the best laid plans is still in the North, although will be on the move soon. Coffee at Rankin’s and a little more retail therapy before heading back to Dublin with Mum & Oisin; stopping off at Milltown Cemetery to say Hi to Cappa & Gramum!

Wednesday night we went to the other Milltown – one of our old haunts, The Dropping well, to meet Pat Mc, Pat O & Kieran for a few pints (easier said than done these days in Dublin, zero tolerance for D&D so a sober night for some!)

Thursday – more shopping with Mum – we braved Dundrum, not as bad as previous Sunday but still pretty packed and dinner that night at one of favourite restaurants in Dublin, Tribeca. The Chicken Wings are as good as we remembered! And the company was pretty good too ;)

At this stage we were running out of steam a little (I now fully appreciate my sister's analogy of the Energizer bunny - my batteries certainly needed recharging) but we only had a few days left so we had to keep going! While the girls were getting their hair & nails done for the party that night we had lunch at Powerscourt with Karen S – another grey day but still beautiful down there. Big night Friday night – met the Sureskills gang at Beacon Court after their dinner and headed to Anabel’s afterwards for dancing! Another late one but great fun! Woke up Saturday morning feeling a little tired but it was our last day so no lying in bed! A long brunch with Alison, Mark & kids before starting the good-byes and we headed off for last-minute shopping, dropped into see Sandra, Roy & kids, then Ross & Siobhan before heading back to base for dinner with Jonathan’s Mum & Dad. We had to be up early Sunday morning so it wasn’t too a late a night – I was tempted to stay up all night watching Irish TV but good sense prevailed.

A tearful good-bye at 4.30am, but a clear run to the airport where we dropped off the car and checked in. A last order of Bacon & Sausage? No, too much of a good thing! A quick run through duty-free and on the plane. It was a lovely daybreak over Dublin and as we took off, there was certainly a tinge of sadness at leaving again but it was mixed with a feeling of exhaustion from having had a great week ‘back home’, a wonderful time with family & friends and a sense of excitement at heading back to our new home.

It was wonderful to catch up with friends and see the new homes (Alison & Marks new house and Betty & Albert's new apartment). We miss you all but we had a great time - Thanks to all who came out to play!