And that’s all I have to say about that.

Well, I will add something Grandpapa put in a letter once.

An extract from the will of Sir Sydney Cockerell, born 1867 died 1962.

I have been blessed throughout my long life with a number of the dearest and kindest friends, both men and women, that ever man had.

Gratefully conscious of all they have meant to me, I declare Friendship to be precious beyond all words. But it is like a plant that withers if it be not carefully tended. It must be fostered by means of visits, of letters, of little services and attentions and by constant thought, sympathy and kindness.

I implore you all to remember this in order that the blessings that have been so abundantly mine may also to the utmost be yours

Matt & Helene managed to escape buying a house during the boom times – no mean accomplishment actually. They did buy, a few months ago, and are getting it all refitted. It’s quite cool the way they insulate these old brick houses. Effectively put a massive lagging jacket around the whole thing. Very cool. Well, very warm. Kiwi’s take note.

There’s a pile of work to be done inside…

But it’s going to be lovely once it’s finished – that’s for sure.

Also managed to sneak in an evening catching up with college friends. Mick took me out for dinner (lovely to see him again – last time was at Domhnall’s wedding.. where we went walking on the Tasman Peninsula ).. and then on to my favourite pub (The Cobblestone).. where pints were had and music was played.

I also managed a couple of home visits, to friends who’ve just had babies… Maeve who has produced the lovely Clíodhna (and Viv who also turned up for lunch)

We also had yummy snickers ice-cream bars. Some things NZ just doesn’t have (doesn’t have shreddies either)

Also dropped in to see Stella and see Ailbhe..

Also had a nice lunch with my friend Katie who is now doing a PhD in TCD. The old perks still apply, so I scabbed free entry in to see the book of kells, and spend a few precious minutes in the most … awesome in the real sense of the word – long room. Just standing in that room – smelling the books and the history… I love it. As a student we were allowed free access whenever we liked,

I used to skip in, maybe 3 or 4 times a year and just zip up and hang out for a few minutes. :)

And all too soon it was time to head back to New Zealand. I really need to solve the work-money issue. I could have stayed longer. I do have a heart, I do miss friends, I do miss family, I do miss a decent pint of Guinness…. but I do love NZ too.. tricky old thing being part of the Diaspora.

After leaving Wales I had a really excellent (but too short) time in Ireland. First up, a tour of what mum and dad are up to in the garden… They’re subdividing the garden and going to build their own wee house.. should be great once it’s done.

They’re keeping the vegge patch! :) Which is excellent news… It was lovely to see their plans, though I think fortunately I spend so little time at “home” now that I feel distant enough to not find it utterly sad and disturbing.

Mum has spent years apparently cultivating mistletoe.. apparently it’s really hard to get it to take, it likes to be on the same type of tree that it was taken from. Anyway, finally she’s made one of the pear trees get infected!

Mum and Dad themselves are as busy as ever.. Dad still heavily involved with the Mountains of the Moon University in Uganda which he helped get started. I did manage to get a couple of recipes out of mum (Strawberry Soufflé is one that I’m hoping to perfect out in NZ with Strawberries from our garden).. so yes, too short a time, but a lovely time for all that.

Oh, managed to downsize the stuff I’d stashed at home.. down to one box now. Probably should just be done with it and ship it out.

Password for the below post is (in lowercase) the city in Europe where I’m from. It’s just so as the crawlers can’t crawl too easily :)