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Post by claire on Aug 20, 2007 12:36:10 GMT
I was in Dublin at the weekend, went over for one night. My father turned 70 last week and there was a party for him in my sisters house. Most of his brothers and sisters were coming to the party but I didn't think I could make it what with having gone away myself for the summer hols, didn't think my bank account could stretch that far. But last minute I decided I was going, leaving hubby and the kids at home. One of my sisters picked me up from the airport and then we got some things ready for the party and then off to my parents house. The look of shock and surprise on their faces was priceless ;D It was worth every penny. The party was great fun, not getting to bed till after 3am. I slept for about 3 hours, and tossed and turned for a couple more. Dying of the thirst i had to get up and get a drink and I was thinking of all those wonderful books I read and the heroines are always so sensible bringing a pint of water to bed with them I slept at my sisters and after showering I went to my parents for breakfast. Lovely sausages and rashers,mmm. Before I knew it it was time to go to the airport and head home. Must say the ticket desk was moving fast and in no time it was the security check. My God that is something. I was nearly strip searched, kept bleeping But after being let go off I went to check out the Hughes & Hughes bookshop. I had a list, I knew which books and authors I was looking for. But do you think I could find them, not one of them I went into three shops, couldn't find one book from my list. I was so disappointed BUT i WAS going home with some new books. I picked three from the 3 for 2 section. They just sounded good. They are The Summer Garden by Paullina Simons The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards The Savage Garden by Mark Mills I only hope I like them now. I finally get home totally shattered and fell into bed at 9pm. had a great night sleep but boy was it hard to get up this morning that was my weekend hope you all had a good one
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Post by fionnuala on Aug 20, 2007 12:39:56 GMT
Glad you enjoyed yourself Claire! You're a bit like myself - anytime I'm in Belfast I head straight for Waterstones before anywhere else - who needs clothes when you can have books!!!
Hope you like your new purchases!
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Post by megan on Aug 20, 2007 20:41:56 GMT
Sounds like a great weekend Claire. Thanks for telling us all about it. I loved the details: sausages for breakfast and need of water! I can imagine you are wrecked but it was well worth it. I think those books you picked were good ones. I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of them. The Memory Keeper's Daughter is really popular.
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Post by nicc on Aug 20, 2007 22:06:38 GMT
What a lovely surprise for your family. It's sounds like you had a great time. Shame you couldn't find any of the books you wanted. But I hope you like the ones you did buy. Fionn I tihnk the same as you. I went shopping the other day to a shopping center that i haven't been to in months and months. I went over to start looking for a dress for the wedding. By the time I had checked out all the bookshops (I bought 17 books) and bought a present for my friend who just had a baby it was time to head on home. I figured I still haver over 12 months to find a dress so i can go back another day.
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Post by claire on Aug 21, 2007 5:48:43 GMT
Oh and I forgot to mention al though it was a party the amount of tea that was drunk!! I couldn't believe it
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Post by Angie on Aug 21, 2007 19:33:45 GMT
I say they were thrilled to see you..what a wonderful surprise for your family...sounds like you had a ball...well deserved girl....
no what you mean about the security...i only went to england and I felt like i had something to hide..its horrible... how are the kids?? ready for school??
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Post by claire on Aug 22, 2007 6:36:05 GMT
this is their second week at school and foot ball starts back too
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Post by megan on Aug 22, 2007 17:32:22 GMT
Back to school already!! Aaaaaaa! Our summer has only just started - the sun came out and stayed out the whole day! I went away last weekend also. Oisin and I headed off to county Kerry, (south coast of Ireland on the Atlantic, for those overseas - except for Claire!) We slept the night in his van on a beach. All very comfy and romantic reminding us of our teenage days. The next day things began to go wrong. I was patting a lovely horse on the nose and feeding him an apple when the stone wall beside him collapsed on my bare foot (in flip-flop!) I hobbled back to the van all bloody and sore. Oisin thought he was going to have to whisk me to hospital but it was only superficial. To cheer ourselves up we decided to cook sausages with our gas cooker. Yum!! But it was so bleeding windy that they took nearly an hour to brown. We were desperate near the end! Anyway we eventually ate the sausages, which weren't up to scratch, and headed off to the beach. Oisin went sailing and I went surfing. (well waddled around in the water with a board). Then I head off to my favourite pub (Spilane's Bar) with my laptop to suck down beer and sea food chowder. My mood improved. Felt very writerish to have my laptop in a pub and hoped everyone would think I was a fascinating and highly intelligent journalist! ;D When I emerged from the bar the wind had kicked in and Oisin was jumping the waves far out in the ocean. I went along the headland and took photos. Waves crashing against rocks and lots of white water. I don't know how he does it (what a hunk! Eventually he came in and we decided to cook again - fancy fresh pasta with a stir in sauce. But more disaster struck. Whilst rumaging around the back of OIsin's van a fin out of one of his boards poked me in the eye. (slim sharp object) I thought I'd bleeding lost my eye and was yelling for Oisin to come! He did and craddled me in his arms while I wondered if I would ever see sunshine again. Eventually I braved opening the sore eye and saw the gravel at my feet. "I can see!!" I declared joyfully. Oisin asked to see my eye, and there obviously wasn't much wrong with it as he asked 'Which one ?" I had imagined blood oozing all over the place but it was only my tears! We then abandoned cooking as I couldn't risk anymore injuries and headed home stoppiing off at McDonalds on the way. They do a very good grilled chicken salad by the way.
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Post by nicc on Aug 22, 2007 21:37:22 GMT
LOL Megan. I know I shoudn't be laughing but the way you tell us about your mishaps is so entertaining. You are a natural at storytelling, love.
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Post by fionnuala on Aug 22, 2007 22:32:30 GMT
The Secret Diary of the Demented Accident Prone surfer? !!!!
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Post by claire on Aug 23, 2007 11:36:11 GMT
poor you Megan! but it was funny to read
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Post by megan on Aug 23, 2007 17:36:44 GMT
I'm glad it gave you a laugh - I could see the funny side too when it was all over. (very sore at the time though!)
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Post by Oonagh on Aug 28, 2007 17:09:41 GMT
Im just bacvk today from my hols. Its depressing to be back A great week of drinking, being out in the sun and it being hot without wearing a bloody jumper. I had a ball. Im knackered today so bed earkly tonight. great to hear you had a great time claire i was wondering how u got on. U cheered me up no end with that story megan. classic
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Post by Oonagh on Aug 28, 2007 17:10:37 GMT
By the way I read teh memory s keeper claire while on holidays. It was only alright found it a bit frustrating at times.
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Post by susanmay on Aug 28, 2007 18:41:53 GMT
Sounds like you had a great weekend Claire. Your Dad must have got a great surprise.
I'm feeling a bit guilty Megan because I'm sitting here tittering at your expense! That was a great story - a bit Laural and Hardy in parts but a terrific read!
By the way is that the McDonald's at the roundabout in Tipp? If so I have to agree it does the best grub!
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Post by megan on Aug 28, 2007 20:49:27 GMT
I'm very glad that my story cheered you up Oonagh. I can imagine it is rotten being home after your fab holiday.
Susan, it was McDonalds in Tralee that I got my chicken salad.
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Post by claire on Sept 8, 2007 20:06:21 GMT
Anyone heard from Megan lately, she has been quiet
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Post by Shirley on Sept 8, 2007 20:11:40 GMT
Haven't heard from Megan in a while now - she must be very busy at the mo. Hopefully, she is getting lots of writing done. Just saw Susan's post there about the Maccy Dee's in Tipp - is it the one at the Roscrea bypass, Susan? I have stopped in that one a few times for drive-in food when I am on the way to my mother's house.
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Post by Shirley on Sept 8, 2007 20:23:06 GMT
I'm gonna hit the road now Claire cos I've a mound of housework to get done - feckin' kitchen is a mess. What an exciting Saturday night eh! Enjoy the rest of yours!
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Post by claire on Sept 8, 2007 20:24:49 GMT
take care, and clean it tomorrow
seeya
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Post by Shirley on Sept 8, 2007 20:27:28 GMT
Bye bye! Hope you get some access to the remote tonight! :-)
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Post by megan on Sept 10, 2007 8:31:37 GMT
HI Gals,
I have been quiet of late as I have been seperated from human contact for almost an entire week!! I was down in Carlow painting my brother's house. I was there on my own in the middle of fields of sheep and cows. I kept hearing noises in the night - bats I think! I'm such a Dub that I got freaked out by the silence!! It was great to be away though. Very theraputic; no T.V. or internet, just me and the sheep. There was a beautiful river at the end of the road where I swam every day - delicious! By Friday I was finished painting (the skirting boards, wooden door, hall and bathroom) and I drove towards Limerick and met Oisin on his way to Clare, for the Cois Farraige music festival. It was great - brilliant sunshine, crystal clear atlantic ocean, yummy food and music at night. I felt like I was abroad and was in and out of the water like a fish - diving off rocks and splashing around. I loved it. Didn't do any writing at all and it was the right move for me. I needed a break from it. Will get back into it this week.
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Post by claire on Sept 10, 2007 9:32:33 GMT
sounds wonderful
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Post by fionnuala on Sept 11, 2007 21:37:59 GMT
I love the way you describe things Megan - everything sounds like a big adventure!!
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Post by nicc on Sept 19, 2007 3:36:53 GMT
Hey has anyone heard from Jo lately? I sent her a book ages ago and I haven't heard if she recieved it or not. I sent her a PM about it but have not heard back. Hope she is Ok.
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Post by claire on Sept 19, 2007 12:12:14 GMT
just got a couple of funny e-mails from her, must send her a mail back
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Post by fionnuala on Sept 21, 2007 9:21:08 GMT
Ooooh! Guess what girls?! Am being whisked away for a romantic spa break this weekend! My honey and I are going to the Castle Court Hotel in Westport and he has me booked in for all sorts of treatments! Aine is coming too as we just couldn't leave her for the weekend - am soooo excited!! Four poster bed, jacuzzi in the room mmmmm....
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Post by claire on Sept 21, 2007 13:58:22 GMT
I thought it was you daughters birthday, not yours?!
Make the most of it sunshine, you deserve it
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Post by nicc on Sept 22, 2007 6:26:40 GMT
Oooooh how exciting Fionn! Sounds wonderful. Enjoy. i'm having 4 weeks off work soon and in our holidays we are going to Canberra for a weekend to see Andrew's family. The original plan was that he was going to take the kids and I was going to stay at home for a few days by myself for some much neede me time (imagine all the reading I could catch up on). He has now told me that I need to go as well as he has a surprise for me. The only clues i have are that i need to take something a bit dressy and his Mum has said she will look after the kids until we get back.
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Post by claire on Sept 22, 2007 17:38:27 GMT
like the sound of it, please tell us soon
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