Ramadhan and all it involves

Immediately on returning to Brunei, we headed straight into Ramadhan - fasting month, which means that Maria and I are loosing a little bit of weight (not eating, drinking or anything else during daylight hours). We are already in week 2 and looking forward to the end. The Pineapple Tarts have already started to make an appearance so you know that Hari Raya (Eid) is coming soon.

Each year, Maria's parents open their house for visitors which is a great time to meet up with people (almost like Christmas). It's likely to be a slightly less eventful this year, as last year on the second day of Hari Raya, we had a new arrival (Ayden).

A Trip back in Time

While having a late lunch in Cobh after a visit to Fota, we were lucky to catch a glimpse of the "Jeannie Johnston", a replica famine ship as it sailed (well, motored) up into Cork Harbour. With the photo in black and white along with the old Naval buildings in the background, you could almost imagine the scene from another era.

Carrots and Parsnip

Our children enjoyed the food in Ireland especially the potatoes and Grannie's gravy. Ayden tucked into the carrots and parsnip one evening even insisting on feeding himself!

Out In the Garden

What Iman and Jack enjoyed most about being in Ireland was playing out in the garden for hours and hours. The weather was lovely for the two weeks so most afternoons they sat out playing, running, skipping or just hanging out. Pictures above look like there was a serious discussion going on! Aunty Mairead bought them the little chairs complete with little table and umbrella.

Bunratty day out

The furthest we wandered from Cork with the children was probably Co Clare to visit our friends Claire and Rob who were down from Dublin. It was fantastic to meet them again after two years and meeting their children Luke and Elsa. As the pictures tell, the children got on great.

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is a must stop on the tourist map. Lunch at the Creamery was a bit chaotic with five children under 5 but we managed to get everyone watered and fed. It had stopped raining (only day it rained on us in the two weeks) so we headed into the park for a walk. Unfortunately thanks to a tour group that trooped ahead of us we never managed to get into the restored castle so I can't say what's in it but the folk park was great fun. It's made up reconstructed farmhouses, cottages and shops showing what everyday life was like in rural Ireland about 100 years ago. There was a lady making pie in one house, a teacher in the schoolhouse (who scared Donncha) and real sweets in the post office! There was even a storyteller in one house and she just talked and talked about the old days and what life was like. You could spend hours listening to her if you had the time. It was fascinating and such talent to just talk and talk - must be the water around there!

We finished the day with a trip back to the Liddy farm for tea and rhubarb crumble - Claire we're still thinking about it! It was lovely to meet Claire's parents again who we haven't met since Claire and Rob's wedding in 2003. Unfortunetly the cows decided to stay away but the tractor and the explanation of where the cows get milked etc made up for that.

It was late by the time we got back at Cork with a quick stop in Mallow for McD's. Everyone was on strike so we had to get them out of the car. An excellent day out and great to catch up with the ever expanding Micallef Clan (!)