reflection of the year

Well lads,

whats the craic? this trip to Ireland has been really great and I am kind of goin' to miss it when we get back sure.so I've really liked havin' the oppurtunity to meet new people and see new places. It's been grand. Sure I`m really lookin' foward to comin' home and seein' ye all. MY favourite part of comin' 'ere was the trip to France. Well I think its been a grand year over 'ere so.

bye now lads,

Seamus

"Well Boy"

Waterford has its own way of speaking, and we are all looking forward to letting a few sayings slip once back in 'Austraya'. Some of the standard phrases we've had to learn are;
"Well Boy, what's the Craic?" i.e. What's happenin'
"How's she cuttin boy?" i.e. How are they hangin'
"I'm after going to the bank" i.e. I have been to the bank.
"It's sorted" i.e. I will think about doing that, as long as you don't ask me again.
"No bother" i.e. I'm glad you're happy, 'cause I haven't bothered to do what you asked.
"Grand" i.e. sort of OK in a mediocre way.
Some words can be added freely at the end of sentences, eg "so", "sure" {usually without the "to be..."}as in "Right you are, so" "It's cold enough, sure"
Well, now, I'll cop on and start practicing my accent {be warned, Waterford don't have your diddleeioh sound much loved by Australian mimickers - I may not tolerate being told I don't sound Irish...}

Da Tings We'll Miss

As we now contend with the reality that our adventure is near over, I have to confess to sentimental pangs. A few of our recent gatherings have given me that pensive sting - the Ferrybank Athletics Christmas party reminded me what an oasis the club was for much of the year, having grown fond of my fellow coaches, and the crop of young athletes I worked with.
I'm a bit attached to the local penchant for switching road signs to confuse the unwary visitor - you may notice a library in the background of the photo of Seamus. Check where the sign points...

We had lovely Irish hospitality at the Murphy's house near the tiny town of Dunhill. Sally and Con and their children have been a consistently sunny part of the landscape this year, being some of the athletics stalwarts who have brightened our year.
Christmas day involved gatherings with Claire and Riche, from next door at Bob's Lodge, and of course one final family get together with the pillars of our Irish experience, Jane and Ciarán Bailey, and their three children. It has been great to have somewhere we feel at home despite the trials that have characterised 2008.

Even the narrow country lanes, which at first were an edge of the seat driving experience, now feel like a home away from home, and have left an indelible impression of Irish life.

The thatched rooves and pretty little fishing harbour of Dunmore East...

The big thing that I'll miss about the country is the feeling of history and culture, especially the music culture that lives in the pubs. We don't have anything to match it at home {but we do have pokies...}
In a way I am relieved to be having mixed feelings about heading home - to get to this point and be simply burning to get out would be too disappointing to record.
{So well done EIRE!}

Cold Christmas

After a childhood spent wondering why Santa Claus gets so rugged up in the middle of summer, we have enjoyed getting back to the roots of all the wintry traditions we displaced people / invaders have kept alive in the Australian Penal Colony.
Christmas lights can be viewed in all their splendour from about 4.30p.m., a bit of a change from the after midnight mass tour we take in Nowra.
Waterford has decked itself out prettily for the season, as has Dublin. After various recommendations from friends and neighbours we booked ourselves in for an overnight stay in Dublin to see how it scrubs up for the commemoration of Jesus's birthday. {Delightful when dry, we discovered}
Boy, is it cold when it's cold; we have had several days of slipping around on icy roads, while admiring the 'winter wonderland' effect of frost capping everything in sight. We often have to spend five to ten minutes defrosting the car before heading for work in the morning.
It's kinda nice as a one off...

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Australians say, 'merry christmas' but the Irish say, 'Noiligg Shona Duit'!I was the only person who could answer what merry christmas was, all the irish kids didnt even know!!2 nights ago we went to a christmas disco for the athletics, it was really fun. But it was really sad to say good bye to them all!! I only have 2 more days of school, it's really bad we only finish 2 days before christmas!! We got our christmas tree and did the best we could to make it look good without having our stack of christmas decorations!!It will be MUCH different having christmas in the cold and without family but we do get a special visit from the Andrews and the Brodies!!We miss you all and I wish you a very merry christmas!!lots of love Niamh!!!

Merry Christmas!

Hi everyone!
Merry Christmas!
Well, it's the end of the year. Sometimes i thought it would never come, but now we're getting ready for christmas and it's nearly time to go home!
I only have one day left at the Mercy Secondary school and then I am starting at Loreto next year.
My principal gave me a Waterford crystal vase as a going away present at a surprise party for me. I didn't know but they had invited mum to come and gave speeches and everything about me. It was kinda embarrassing but nice.
The Irish really go all out for christmas and there are loads of cool lights in town and there is a carousel in the middle of the town square that looks really magical at night.
I'm really looking forward to christmas and my birthday and I'm really excited that the Brodies are coming to visit!
The end of the year is flying and it won't be long untill we are on the plane home.
I can't wait to see everyone again so bye 'till then.
BY IMOGEN

The Marshalls of Chippenham

One of Dom's oldest friends is his pen-friend acquired in 1979 or 1980, Rachael Marshall nee Martin. It was a risk of sorts for our first face to face meeting to be a three night stay for the whole tribe at the Marshall family home.

Any apprehension about this step into the unknown was briskly swept away by the warmth and generosity of our English hosts {so like the photos after all!}. Paul, Rachael and Max entertained and guided us through big name tourist attractions and charming English cultural traditions, and even slept on the couch to keep us in luxury.



Chippenham is but a stone's throw from Bath, which I would have to say gave a good account of its attractions for visitors. The Roman Bath tour is a genuinely high quality tourist experience, for children and adults alike. The proximity of centuries of human history manifests itself with real potency. Bill Bryson's commentary is entertaining and informative.



Stonehange, also in the neighbourhood, is a less complex attraction, notwithstanding the air of mystery tourist operators have worked hard to imbue it with! Nevertheless, and despite the freezing conditions that greeted us, it too exceeds expectation. The place has grandeur, and has been ably preserved.
Our children enjoyed the open space, and a bit of a run around with their bouncy new friend Max Marshall.



The town of Bath was very charming to walk around. The photo above is taken looking up-river towards the Putney Bridge.