Tour of Bere Island

Bere Island is across from Castletownbere, home to a small community and accessible to the mainland by a small car ferry. Yesterday we did a tour of the island on a rib boat. As it is this week, the weather was marvellous but going at such speed we soon felt "very cold". The ride around the island was very exciting and we saw several sea caves admiring the formed rocks and the handywork of the waves, water and weather. Also what we couldn't believe was how blue the water was in the caves, and with it all the purple jellyfish. We also saw a beach that we couldn't visit on the day we went on the island as Bere Island is home to a small army base (yes, they have an army) and on that day they were on live firing exercises on the best beach of the island (!?!) - all the more reason to go back there. And the last detour was the salmon farm with the salmon jumping to catch the feed, as Donncha explained to the kids, salmon soon to be sashimi!

Kayaking in search of seals

A couple of afternoons ago we headed to the harbour of Adrigrole for kayaking. In Brunei we would be looking our for the crocs but in this small harbour we were trying to spot seals. We managed to spot a few - not sure if it was the same one but we saw some all the same. It was lovely being on the water surrounded by the mountains. Unfortunately no pictures as obviously we were all in the water and it got too complicated. Iman was solo, Jack with myself and Donncha with Ayden. That's one box ticked for the holiday. And once out of the water the kids were happy enough to play on the shore.

Ayden's First Tooth

Ayden's been excited for the last few weeks about his first wobbly tooth and it eventually came out last night. Of course the tooth fairy didn't forget to pay a visit leaving a Euro note in place of the tooth.  A major threshold crossed for our little boy!

Castletownbere - House and View

We're in Castletownbere, West Cork for the next two weeks. So far the weather has been magnificent and very un-Ireland. The house is fab and the kids are loving the green lawn and we are all loving the view. We also have a mini housewarming when we got to the house with our Bruneian friends from Ardfert paying us a visit. The last time we met was two years ago - and it was a miserable wet day! The forecast is more of the sun for the rest of the week so looking forward to a proper summer.

Dublin 2013

Snapshots of Dublin

English Market Cork

First trip into Cork City Centre today and we headed straight into the English Market just to let our eyes feast on the abundance and variety of food there. My previous posts about the market are here 2009 and 2011. There is no other market like this is Ireland and it is one piece of Cork that I wish I could take away with me. 

Ireland 2013

After the usual long journey we are finally in Cork, and it's lovely to be back with the McCarthys especially with our absence last summer. Thankfully the journey was not so bad and the actual long haul flight seemed much shorter than previous. The weather in Cork is cool but that's what the Irish summer is all about!

Thank you to the Menard family for entertaining us for the day in Singapore. And in London it was great to catch up with long time BFF Skye PJ.

Sadly during the journey we had to say goodbye to a good friend leaving Brunei for good. I first met Kim less than two  years ago and honestly never thought we would end up being friends - and Kim admits she was not so sure about me either! However with a similar interest in morning activities we started with jungle walks followed by Crossfit - where we have encouraged and consoled each other when necessary. Kim, thank you for being a friend. We will miss you, Mallory (Little M) and Scott. All the best with your new home!

Iman Our Artist

It has been a while since Iman has had her artwork displayed, the only time six years ago when she was in Reception which you can read about about here. So she was very keen to go to the exhibition this afternoon for me to see her displayed art of not just one painting but TWO!

"My Wonderful World" using coloured pens. Note the Irish flag, football field and McDonalds fries!

 "Cloggy" 

Iman extremely proud of her second art exhibition!

And on top of all that herself, Jack and Ayden were thrilled they could help themselves to as much biscuits and milk - and Jack even had a cup of milky tea with sugar in it!

Father's Day Walk

We spent our Father's Day doing what the Dad of this family loves most, a jungle walk! There were plenty of streams and crossings to keep the kids happy and a fair share of hills to keep Jack moaning!

Dual carriageway to be

More jungle waiting to be explored!