I can hardly believe I’m saying this but the H family have hit the jackpot. The weather jackpot that is.
Can you believe this sunshine? and to get it this week is incredible as we are on a short break in the beautiful Glen Of Aherlow.
Moving to Wexford has been a huge success for the H family but the only downside is that we miss seeing family and friends in Dublin on a weekly basis. Mr H and his mate Mr O, best friends for the best part of three decades, have been missing their weekly pints where they put the world to rights, so myself and Mrs O got together and surprised them by booking this short break as an early Fathers Day gift.
Today the two lads are off golfing together and went off much like prisoners released from Alcatraz after a 30 year incarceration! I would say that they are supping well earned beers by now, as a safe bet!
We are staying in self catering lodges in the Aherlow House Hotel which is both charming and picturesque.
As you can see from the picture, the lodges are very pretty and full of character.
Each have a huge one plan kitchen, dining and living room, equipped with all mod cons, with 3 bedrooms, the master having a balcony. And this is the view that I woke up to this morning from said balcony!
Pretty impressive right?
We’ve been BBQ’ing up a storm and eating outside enjoying the sunshine and views. And today we took advantage of one of the nature trails and told the children we were on haunt for the Gruffalo.
This caused a huge amount of excitement with the children as they identified lots of clues along the trail like broken branches that indicated the Gruffalo had been there before us. Children’s imaginations are simply wonderful aren’t they?
And by the way I’m seriously impressed with myself that I’ve been able to do any walks because after this …….
…… My old bones were pretty tired yesterday! If the picture isn’t self explanatory, that’s myself and pals, otherwise known as Saoirses Sidekicks, heading off towards the start line of the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon on Monday.
We were running (ahem jogging) (cough splutter oh ok walking!) for the charity Jack and Jill. We decided to add to the lovely orange Tshirts sporting Jack and Jill’s charity logo by wearing some lovely tutus that were donated to us by a very kind and talented lady called Karen McEvitt, the person behind From Cute to Tutus.
To understand just why this charity is so important to us, you should have a read of Naomi’s story (mother to Saoirse) in the Ordinary People with Extraordinary Lives Series and it will help explain why fundraising is crucial.
Naomi’s Story – Ordinary People with Extraordinary Lives Series
Anyhow, back to the mini marathon, I have to congratulate everybody who organised the event, because it was run (excuse the pun) with great efficiency and fun!
At every KM milestone there was a band playing music to help keep the runners going. Water stations were like an oasis in a desert for us parched participants every few KM’s and the words of encouragement and shouts of support along the way were truly uplifting.
I encountered people of all shapes and sizes, of all ages, from babies in prams to pensioners, men dressed in flamboyant drag hoisting their tights up as they ran, people pushing wheelchairs and loyal guide dogs leading their owners safely through the masses. And everyone, all proudly wearing their charities colours, everyone smiling through the sweat and for some tears from the sweltering heat and pushing on till they saw the Finish Line.
Deirdre, Karina, Bernice, Niamh and Naomi, my sidekicks, my friends and the other 45,000 + participants, WE DID IT!
See you next year
Carmel
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