Tuesday, 23 June 2015
Ireland, 12th June - 23rd June (By Ella)
We were visiting Ireland to visit some friends of Mum and Dads, who I had never met before!
We stayed 5 days with 'Geordie Jo and Mark' on their farm near Wicklow - not far from Dublin. Mum and Dad met Jo in Sydney in 1995, and then they also lived near to each other in 1997-2000 in London - when they also met Mark. They spent New Year 1998 with Jo and Mark at Mark's parent's farm!
We arrived at Jo and Mark's house fairly late on a Friday and became great friends with their children who are similar ages to us.
Jo and Mark's House:
Pets:
In addition to the farm animals, they had 3 miniature Jack Russells which we adored. They also had hens which were friendly!
Nun's Cross National School with Heidi, Emily and Nicholas:
It was the last week of term for the school, and we had 3 days at school with Emily, Heidi and Nicholas. The school made us very welcome, and we even took part in their sports day!
Taking Amy's cast off:
After 3 weeks healing, Mark cut through Amy's cast and her arm was much better.
The farm:
Jo and Mark's farm is about 1km down a track from the house. They have 7 ponies/horses and 120 cows and look after all these animals at the same time as both having jobs! Emily and Heidi really looked after us and we spent a lot of time with the ponies, including riding them in the paddock. Emily and Heidi take part in competitions and have a number of trophies!
Walks around Wicklow:
Our friends from Cork - Richmond Jo, Lucy and George came up on the Saturday to spend the day and evening with us. We played in the fields around the farm, had a barbecue and visited some old Monastic ruins that were built 100s of years ago!
We even had a couple of visits to the local beach (great for 'skimming'):
Mum, Dad and Mark had a nice lunch with Kevin and Mary Carrick (Caoimhe's Mum and Dad)
Clonakilty (Near Cork) :
After having such a great time with the 'Ziegsters' in Wicklow, we drove to Clonakilty to stay with Richmond Jo, Darren, Lucy and George. Richmond Jo was a Bridesmaid at Mum and Dad's wedding in Sydney 2002!
Jo and Darren's house:
Father's Day:
It was Father's day whilst we were in Ireland and we made some cards for Dad.
Dad, Darren and some other friends went out in Wicklow the night before Fathers Day.
Blarney Castle:
We visited Blarney Castle which was built in the 11th Century! We all went to the top of the castle and kissed the Blarney stone which according to tradition, means that we can all speak eloquently and freely.
To kiss the Blarney stone, you had to lie on your back, hold on to some poles and lean back!
We met a lot of Jo and Darren's friends at the Cross Fit Gym and in Clonakilty:
We had a great time and great weather in Ireland. Mum and Dad loved catching up with Jo, Mark, Jo and Darren and their friends - and we had a lot of fun making new friends with Emily, Heidi, Nicholas, Lucy, George and their friends. It was also great to spend some time at schools in Ireland!
We stayed 5 days with 'Geordie Jo and Mark' on their farm near Wicklow - not far from Dublin. Mum and Dad met Jo in Sydney in 1995, and then they also lived near to each other in 1997-2000 in London - when they also met Mark. They spent New Year 1998 with Jo and Mark at Mark's parent's farm!
 |
| 1998 New Year in Wicklow |
Jo and Mark's House:
 |
| Nicholas and Anna |
In addition to the farm animals, they had 3 miniature Jack Russells which we adored. They also had hens which were friendly!
 |
| Mum cuddling a hen and the dogs! |
 |
| 3 Jack Russells was the perfect number! |
Nun's Cross National School with Heidi, Emily and Nicholas:
It was the last week of term for the school, and we had 3 days at school with Emily, Heidi and Nicholas. The school made us very welcome, and we even took part in their sports day!
 |
| First day at the school |
 |
| Sport's day! |
 |
| Anna starting one of the games |
Taking Amy's cast off:
After 3 weeks healing, Mark cut through Amy's cast and her arm was much better.
The farm:
Jo and Mark's farm is about 1km down a track from the house. They have 7 ponies/horses and 120 cows and look after all these animals at the same time as both having jobs! Emily and Heidi really looked after us and we spent a lot of time with the ponies, including riding them in the paddock. Emily and Heidi take part in competitions and have a number of trophies!
 |
| Heidi doing a jump |
 |
| Amy spent a LOT of time on the ponys! |
 |
| Some of the 120 cows! |
Walks around Wicklow:
Our friends from Cork - Richmond Jo, Lucy and George came up on the Saturday to spend the day and evening with us. We played in the fields around the farm, had a barbecue and visited some old Monastic ruins that were built 100s of years ago!
 |
| Mark, Jo, Mum, Dad, Jo and Amos (a great aupair from Italy) |
 |
| Whilst we were at school, Mum and Dad had a walk to 'Devil's Lair'! |
We even had a couple of visits to the local beach (great for 'skimming'):
 |
| Jo and Nicholas |
Clonakilty (Near Cork) :
After having such a great time with the 'Ziegsters' in Wicklow, we drove to Clonakilty to stay with Richmond Jo, Darren, Lucy and George. Richmond Jo was a Bridesmaid at Mum and Dad's wedding in Sydney 2002!
Jo and Darren's house:
 |
| Lucy 'bombing' Anna! |
Lucy's school and rowing:
We had a great day with Lucy at her school; again, they made us feel very welcome and it was great to meet some of Lucy's school friends! Lucy rowed for a local club, and we went to watch them train one evening. We went to watch Lucy's team compete although it had to be cancelled because of the wind.
We had a great day with Lucy at her school; again, they made us feel very welcome and it was great to meet some of Lucy's school friends! Lucy rowed for a local club, and we went to watch them train one evening. We went to watch Lucy's team compete although it had to be cancelled because of the wind.
 |
| Dad and Darren |
It was Father's day whilst we were in Ireland and we made some cards for Dad.
 |
| Fathers Day in Clonakilty - Dad, Darren and Michael |
Blarney Castle:
We visited Blarney Castle which was built in the 11th Century! We all went to the top of the castle and kissed the Blarney stone which according to tradition, means that we can all speak eloquently and freely.
To kiss the Blarney stone, you had to lie on your back, hold on to some poles and lean back!
 |
| Anna |
 |
| Mum |
 |
| Amy |
 |
| Jo |
 |
| Darren |
We met a lot of Jo and Darren's friends at the Cross Fit Gym and in Clonakilty:
 |
| Michael's Newfoundland |
We had a great time and great weather in Ireland. Mum and Dad loved catching up with Jo, Mark, Jo and Darren and their friends - and we had a lot of fun making new friends with Emily, Heidi, Nicholas, Lucy, George and their friends. It was also great to spend some time at schools in Ireland!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)