Rowan Tree and Red Thread

Back today from Dublin after a few days visiting family and friends. My brother and his wife are leaving Ireland soon to live in Thailand for a year so we were keen to get to Dublin before they left. They've both been the ideal uncle/aunt couple to my daughter and I wanted to make sure they had a chance to see her again before their Asian adventures begin.

We also were able to catch up with some old friends too. Saturday night we met Angela and Fintan in the pub and caught up with news stretching back months. Dublin is too far away when you've got a toddler; we don't get up anything like as often as I'd like. William also made it to the pub later in the evening, and I was delighted to see him looking so well. He really seems to be enjoying working in Ireland again (albeit still travelling like a maniac) and the newly-married life sits well with him.

On Sunday William invited us out to see Steph and have brunch. We were fed, entertained and generaly made most welcome. Rowan turned on the charm like a pro. William certainly seemed smitten. Nothing like sharing a couple of games of Donkey Konga on the Gamecube to make friends quickly. William generously offered to take us up to the Phoenix Park while giving Dizzy the Dog some exercise, so we also got some fresh air and playground time in; Rowan was all in favour of this.

Sunday evening turned into an impromptu tea and cake session when Lisa & Brian and Ian & Irene dropped over. More catching up and general reconnection.

The train journey back today went well and Cork was much as we had left it. Unfortunately we didn't manage to leave sammywol's virus behind and she's still feeling rotten.

Oh yes, Livejournal suddenly likes us again. Or at least doesn't throw away our IP packets unopened. Don't know why. Good, if puzzling, news.