Morning everyone - we are back
Spamar, sending you genlte {{{{{hugs}}}}} . It's hard to believe its 3 years, hun. Like Amy, I wish you could get a break from the pain and ill health, its been such a tough time for you lately xxxx
JM - sounds like you are having a fantastic time in Paris
So glad, and hope the rest of your holiday continues to be just as enjoyable xxxx
Have only had chance for the briefest skim of everyones news - will make the time to catch up later, meanwhile, love to all xxxx
We have had a wonderful break in Ireland. Really didn't want to come home - there is something about the pace of life, the people and just the atmosphere of where my sister lives that makes me feel 'at home' there. Lots of catch up with my sis and her family, a lovely afternoon spent with her OH's family, who we met for the first time at their wedding, but who are so nice that it was a real pleasure to spend time with them, just chatting and laughing. And lots of exploring the local area's. We had a day in Galway city, which was amazing - it was arts festival week, so lots going on in the streets, and such a beautiful city to boot. As a bonus, we spotted a couple of seals having a swim round Galway bay, and spent an age watching and photographing them. We had a night out at an evening of Irish music - it was jam packed, so despite having tickets, we ended up sitting in a small lounge area, just chatting and listening to the music and had a great time. Another day where we started in Kinvara, then followed the Wild Arlantic Way for several hours - a photographers dream. And the final full day, where we hit Athlone to stock up for my B.i.l's birthday bbq that evening, and just generally expolore the place. The only 'downside' of the break was this damn fibromyalgia. I guess the previous few weeks caught up with me, and I had a lot of pain
It was so frustrating, as despite us doing a lot anyway, it stopped me doing a lot more.
The weather varied between extremely warm and muggy, to torrential downpours - but the rain didn't interfere at all - Ireland in the rain is as stunning as it is in the sun
On our last day, although we weren't catching the ferry till late at night, we left my sisters early so OH could visit the town where his Dad had been born, and where Fil is buried. A trip down memory lane for OH, visiting his Dad's grave, his grandparents house and places he knew from many holidays there as he was growing up, something he very much wanted to do. A gentle morning there, followed by a short stint in Dublin, before catching the ferry home. We got back around 2.30a.m. Sunday morning, by which time the fibro had decided to give me some serious grief, and I was only able to doze off and on for a couple of hours before giving up, and getting up. We headed off to pick up our doggies by 11, spent an hour or so with son and his GF, before heading back. At which point the lack of sleep poleaxed me completely. I slept on the sofa from 4 until 9, then headed to bed at about 10.30 and actually slept until 6 this morning! I haven't slept for such a long stretch in literally years. I'm hoping that signals the end of the current 'flare' of the fibro!
Luna had apparently fretted a little for us after we left - the other two know son and GF well enough that they settled straight away. I honestly didn't expect Luna to fret at all, as she had settled so quickly with us and shown no signs of fretting for her previous owners, who she had been with for over 2 years. When we got there, she (like the other two) was clearly delighted to see us, and on getting back home, she straight away settled into being my shadow for most of the time, and playing with Seamus. Its like she has been with us for years, which I am very happy about, even if it does strike me as a bit odd that she just doesn't seem bothered by not being with her old family!
Back to work tomorrow, so today, its holiday washing and off to see Mil. Not a peep from the CH whilst we have been away, so it looks like the HBM has behaved! I found some chocolate featuring 'Mrs Brown' - who Mil always loved - so I have some of that to take in for her as a gift, and a boxes of Irish whiskey flavoured fudge and chocolate shamrocks for the staff. We came back to some sad news, one of Mil's nephews has passed away after a very short battle with cancer - obviously, we can't tell Mil, but despite know why we can't, it still feels a little wrong that we don't let her know things like that.
Right - time to get the washer going and pootle round - letting OH and dau sleep in, OH has clocked up over 800 miles driving in the last week, so I think he has earned a break! And now starts the countdown to Fuertaventura - which I haven't given a thought to, as I have been so looking forward to ireland, lol - in just over 6 weeks time!
Much love to you all xxxxx
