Last week we also had the pleasure of Auntie Emma’s company. Emma is a regular to these shores and loves catching up with us and the girls.

It was a very short two-day visit while her son Elliott was on a school tour. Sam and Emma took a drive down the coast and had lunch out and spent some good quality time together.
Emma also got to meet and have dinner with our sister-in-law Lynne before her flight home.

As always Emma, it was a pleasure having you and we’ll see you again in a few months.

Last week we had a much welcomed visit from auntie Lynne. Lynne was travelling from the US to a conference in Limerick and we had the pleasure of her company for two nights, one on the way and one on the way back.

Mum and dad joined us for the first day and we took them to one of our favourite restaurants, The Angler’s Rest in Strawberry Beds Dublin, an award winning bistro/gastro pub where you can sample some of Dublin’s finest Guinness while tucking into great steaks or fish. Lynne is not shy of having a few pints of the black stuff when in Ireland and we were more than happy to oblige. We had a great relaxing day and the meal which was enjoyed by all.

On the second evening Sam cooked up a lovely fish pie washed down with a few bottles of lovely red wine. We stayed up for hours chatting and reminiscing.

It was great catching up in person as opposed to our usual conversations over skype and the girls really enjoyed having a new face to giggle at.

Thank you Lynne for a great couple of days and you are welcome back anytime.

Today we took Anne to visit Wicklow Mountains National Park, one of the most beautiful places on earth when the weather is right.

Today didn’t disappoint, we drove a well trodden route, stopped off in several places to take a break and some photos and had lunch in Glendalough. Every time we drive around the park the scenery is different and it always feels like a new experience.

Enough of the tourist plug…

We all had a very relaxing day and enjoyed each others company immensely. The great mountain air has us all like nodding dogs early in the evening so it will be an early night all around.

Great weekend!

Yesterday, with the weather being so beautiful (in the mid 20s) we headed off to Brittas Bay on the east coast, about 40 mins from the city centre.

There are an abundance of beaches along the way but none as good as Brittas. We have Sam’s friend, Anne, from our old neighbourhood in Aylesbury staying with us for a few days, so it was a great opportunity to show her the sunnier sights of Ireland.

It was a mission getting the double buggy onto the beach but we managed if not a little exhausted by the time we got there. Once the girls were sun creamed and had sunglasses and hats on they were out of harms way – apart from the odd passerby with flip flops flicking the sand into the breeze and the girls got covered. They’ll soon learn that if you go to the beach expect to get covered in sand :)

I had planned on leisure paddle out to sea to bask in the sun, but after I dipped my toe, it was never going happen – the water was baltic!

We stayed for a good couple of hours and really enjoyed it. The girls enjoyed it immensely, they never stopped gabbling while we were there. We finished off the day with dinner in our favourite restaurant, the Angler’s Rest.

Tomorrow we plan on a leisurely drive through the Wicklow National Park.

The weather is absolutely gorgeous so we took full advantage and took an evening stroll to the park to feed the girls and the ducks.