Ro's in Tralee

Greetings from Tralee, in Co. Kerry in the south-west of Ireland. We've driven through horrible rain to stay a few nights at Edel and Alan's house after a happy Christmas in Athlone. The boys were great on the drive over to Ireland and good again on the three-hour drive down to Tralee today.

We went swimming on Christmas Eve before the girls took Sean and Finn to see the lights in Moate. The lads were excited but tired going to bed, having laid out Santa's beer and biscuit and milk and a carrot for the reindeer. Santa must have got his letter redirecting him to Ireland as he brought Sean a digital camera, Finn a rocket and Rowan a wooden giraffe ride cum shape-sorter as well as various other stocking fillers and presents. The boys stayed in bed till after seven just to make sure they didn't disturb Santa dropping off their gifts and were delighted when they woke up. Cries of "look what I got" could be heard from their room while Rowan chatted away in his cot next to us.

Unfortunately Marie came down with a tummy bug just as soon as she had served up a fine Christmas dinner and Sharon was laid low for the whole of Boxing Day.
I haven't felt too clever either and everyone's appetite seems to have been hit. The boys are in fine fettle though, with Rowan stomping all over Ardilaun and here in the house at Tralee. He's been making pals with Edel and Alan's cocker spaniel puppy, Louie. Sean likes him too but Finn is a bit reticent, although far better than he was with dogs a while ago.

We're heading up to Tuam on the 30th and then I'll be flying home on the 2nd.