Thinking Summer Thinking Holidays

Aaron asked me yesterday "where/when are we going on holiday?" I said "We've already had a holiday" to which he replied "When?" I answered that "We've been to Bluestone" to which he said "that was ages ago". One of his closest friends at school just went to Manchester for the weekend and although it was for a funeral, because he told Aaron it was a holiday, Aaron's now got the holiday bug. So it sounds like he just wants to go away, so no big demands for sun, sea and sand. But give me a credit card and I think a beach or a pool by the hotel would be beckoning me. Either that, or a trip to Ireland to see my Mum and extended family. Digging out the Bluestone pics though (collage below) yes, I could happily do that again. WONDERFUL free range holiday.

Aaron knew in his early weeks of life, 2010, what it was to travel round the country, with breaks to Nottingham and Harwich in his former months:

Thankfully since then I have learned how to pack, so we have been to Ireland lots of times even meeting Ryanair's luggage restrictions. After years of mastering my packing and travelling light technique, the recent arrival of my newborn little lady, will have put me back to square one, of needing everything but the kitchen sink when going away. That's why families love to go to places that have facilities like high chairs and toys provided, which is increasingly the case in luxury self-catering accommodation that is family friendly. That was one thing we loved about Butlins when we went there for four days when Aaron was young.

The times we have gone away we have been burned, not by the sun, but by airport parking. We get stung, because Daddy does short-term parking, when he drops us off to go to Ireland, but given I always go there hours before (the cautious punctuality conscious side of me) he gets stung for the price he pays. A couple of times, when we went as a couple to Tunisia and Malta, he's left the car in the long-stay carpark and got stung then too, meaning you end up wishing you'd got the Stansted Express and left the car at home. There's something lovely about being able to just hop into your car though.

I didn't know till today that you can book your airport car parking in advance, thus making it more affordable. You can block book 7 or 14 nights and can choose whether your parking is on or off airport grounds. Personally I like the sound of the meet and greet service where you drop your car near the airport, exiting with your luggage, with a member of staff parking the car for you. Like something you'd see in the movies! Actually - in Stansted - they meet you in the short stay carpark in Red Zone Arrivals. 

Cosmic ordering really works for me, so I think I might start focusing on manifesting a Summer holiday and just hope that I can manage to pack everything my newborn baby, the lil lady, needs. Summer is far enough away that she will be 6 months by then and bonny, big enough to travel without being too fragile. To be fair she was BORN bonny and big at a robust 10 lbs 10 oz and is now already 4 weeks old since yesterday. Here she is at 1 and 4 weeks old:

I hope we get to go to Ireland again soon. Below, this is my Mum saying goodbye to Aaron May 2015 in airport departures, in Ireland. Our local little regional airport. Crazy to think May is round the corner and it'll be a year since we've seen her. Secretly, me and my Mum have got a dream of going abroad together but I think she's banking on a lottery win first.

Despite not seeing each other often, they have a very strong bond, fostered from her many flights to the UK in 2010 including one break of 9 weeks. We'll have to get her here again to see the latest member of our little family.

 

Because Death is Hard Enough - Will Disputes

I can't imagine losing a parent, or being a widow, let alone the stress of a Will dispute on top of that.

I haven't done a will, and don't really feel the need to, as property is dealt with in the options you pick during conveyancing, regarding ownership, and I don't have anything else of value.

There'd be no fighting if I died, unless it was over my books.

I'll talk about Ireland though, as I have done in a recent post. 

During my childhood, mortgages were something you did not hear of in Ireland. Everyone I knew of either inherited their parent's home, and if they were not the sibling to be so lucky, then they'd inherit some land on which they could build a property. Considering a couple comes from two sets of parents, sometimes one side would provide the land and the other some financial help. Plus, in Ireland, people often have the ability (with help) to build a house themselves, only having to pay for architects etc...

The thing that I did see, sadly, several times throughout my childhood time and time again, was will disputes.

Always over land and property. And not, surprisingly always amongst siblings.

One of the worst fallings out I saw, was where a nephew (my Uncle) expected to receive property from his Uncle (my Great Uncle).

What amazes me, is when these people have property of their own already!

I even saw, in my very young years, someone come over from the States to dispute a will, and I remember some furniture being burned as a result - being how young I was I don't remember if the aggrieved was the burner, or if it was pre-emptive to prevent his paws getting on anything.

Bad enough that people are all grieving and not only attending funerals and burials, but being that it is Holy Ireland, a wake too. But, add to that the stress of disputed claims, and grievances, you see a whole lot of stress.

I've never witnessed it in England the way I have in Ireland.

I've even seen someone in America (not a personal relative of mine) inheriting a parental family property in Ireland he'd not set foot in for decades, when the siblings who'd cared for the parents only lived next door. Of course they were aggrieved and rightly so. Add to that he leaves it empty and only visits once a year, and the tension gets worse. Amplify it once again, another sibling, when visiting from the UK, is not allowed to stay there, despite the fact that turning on the heating etc would be good for the house and the soul.

I just did some research online about land, history and Ireland and came across this: Irish History - Boycott and it would seem that the word boycott originates from Mayo (who'd have guessed), which astounds me as (1) I did not know that and (2) my family on my Mum and Dad's side are both from Mayo so I am fascinated. Bet nobody in my family knows that.

I already knew that the phrase beyond the pale originates from Dublin, so I do know some things, ha!

The extra complication we had in my Mum's family was that there was a house AND a shop (plus a travelling shop) to be inherited. My Mum was one of seven, so the decision was not going to be easy. My Grandparents solved the Will problem, by bequeathing all 3 things during their lifetime. Yes, this meant a Will was not necessary, BUT it did not stop the sibling rivalry or fighting. Two brothers still do not speak to this day. 

I have nothing to inherit so I cannot at all relate to it, or how deep the emotions go. Is it something that relates to agricultural countries due to the historical importance of the land, or do Will disputes happen in the UK too? Actually a quick Google and I have found lots on Mumsnet so it clearly happens here too. Same thing, with rifts that last for decades. If you are one of my many readers from overseas, then I would be interested to hear what happens in your country. Let me know in the comments.

If you live in the UK and have been affected by this post Redress Law look after Wills and inheritance disputes. This post was a collaboration with them.

I Wish I Had Toured Ireland But There Is Still Time

Regular readers of my blog will know  that I am "Irish".  Technically as I was born here, I am what they call a "Plastic Paddy".  But see, despite being first generation "English" I consider myself Irish, because BOTH of my parents are Irish.  People are quite happy to say "I am half THIS and half THAT" well... logic dictates to me that if BOTH halves are Irish then I am Irish.  

Me and my Mum rowed over this many times over the years with her saying "you were born here" "you have a British passport" "you are British".  Technically she is legally right, of course.  I know this.  Doesn't mean I like it.  Which is why I thank God every time I complete one of those Ethnic Origin monitoring forms, because every once in a while, in the WHITE section there is an option called Irish and I tick it with glee.

Anyway, I was "made in Ireland" as that is where they conceived me, before they rushed on to the boat, to take their sinful selves off to be married in the big smoke, so that I could be born IN wedlock.

Fast forward to my school years and my Mum couldn't take the whole 6 weeks' Summer holiday off work. She was a full-time working single parent by this stage.  So what did she do, she packaged me off to Ireland, so I had 6 weeks of running free in the great outdoors every year.  I guess THAT is why I encourage the outdoor side of my Aaron.

I was so in love with my Ireland, that I had my 21st birthday party there (it's a bigger deal in Ireland than here).  Let's just say my cake looked like a wedding cake, the venue IS booked for weddings (the Welcome Inn in Castlebar - if it's not now it was then), and the guest list of family was as big as what I later had at my wedding.  Speaking of wedding, that was there too, in the same Abbey as a rather big celebrity. Naturally we did not have the same reception venue booked though.

I like to go to Ireland about 3 times a year, but I am yet to go in 2014, and am currently trying to decide if I can make a wedding there this February (yes I know, I am a last minute girl as always).  Nothing changes.

Even though I am in Ireland a lot and was even on the first flight to Knock (you could see me going up the steps on the BBC news that day, on TV, but alas nobody recorded it) I have never ever toured Ireland and even people who have only been there once have done that! :-(  One day one day....

I have been on many a trip to Dublin though.  My hubby and I went to Dublin for 4 days on an Easter break from University.  We stayed in a youth hostel in Dún Laoghaire, and got the Dart into the City each and every day to see the sights!  We were such broke students that we even got the train and the boat there and back. Bless! I always fly now, apart from May last year when Aaron and I went in the car (and boat) with my Dad and his wife to keep costs down for a wedding we were going to.

I have now discovered that Cork is Ireland's second City.  We'll have to add that to our list of places to visit when we eventually - one day - go on our big road trip :-) Don't listen to the people who say it is the third city, they are ranking it behind Dublin and Belfast and we all know that Belfast is part of the UK right?

It's no secret that I like a drink.  When I worked in Homebase my nickname was lager lager.  However when I am in Ireland I like to partake in the Guinness! Always with a dash of blackcurrant!!!!  It's true Guinness IS good for you!

If you get to Cork before me, (that reminds me of the saying "you take the high road and I'll take the low road" but that is about Scotland!) then first have a Guinness for me, and second, read this (featured content) before you go:

Explore Cork's Heritage Pubs

Cork has a bustling nightlife scene, featuring some rather interesting old pubs. Why not book a stay in one of Travelodge's Cork hotels and head off to Ireland's third second city to experience a different side of its history. 

Some of the favourites are:

Sin é

Literally translated as 'That's it', in reference to the funeral parlour next door, this great old pub is the home of Traditional Irish music in Cork city. Sin é opened its doors in 1889 and has been hugely popular ever since thanks to its friendly atmosphere. Here you'll enjoy a stout, maybe watch the horse racing, enjoy an impromptu sing a long and of course tap your feet to the sound of Irish bands playing.

The Oval

Located on the corner of the oldest street in Cork, The Oval is named after its spectacular ceiling design. Still in its original condition over 200 years later, it's the only pub within the city to have been included on the list of important 20^th Century buildings in Cork. With a diverse clientèle, including the ghost of a soldier, you'll have a great time in this delightful old pub. So order a whiskey, pull up a chair by the roaring fire and enjoy the atmosphere.

Mutton Lane Inn

No visit to Cork would be complete without visiting this historic drinking establishment. Situated in one of the alleyways that surround the English Market, where sheep were once herded past its very doors for sale at the market, it's a dark, traditional Irish pub steeped in history. The pub is hugely popular and even remained so during the Irish civil war when the opposing sides would simply take up their place on the opposite sides of the pub, never allowing their political quarrels to overspill into their time in the pub. With a huge mural running the length of the lane outside, interwoven with local stories, this is the place to come if you really want to get to the heart of Cork and its residents past and present.

You'll always find a friendly welcome in Cork's pubs and they're a great place to learn about the history of the city and get recommendations for what to do during your stay. What could be better than a recommendation, over a pint, from someone who lives in the city after all? The Irish like to talk so don't be shy!  This post was a collaboration, but as you can probably tell, I can write about Ireland forever and a day :-) or until as they say "the cows come home" - seen quite a few of them there too!  Luckily despite the Celtic Tiger and many changes I do still have a few farmers in the family!

Cows are Country

Well it is no secret that we've just come back from 10 wonderful days in Ireland.  The West of Ireland to be precise.

That makes me, my little man, and my little blog worthy of a #CountryKids hook up this week :-)

 

Not that we really need a trip to Ireland for an excuse to join up.  We are regulars, but it is nice to have a real deal COUNTRY post for once :-)

On previous holidays, Aaron's been on the tractor, and in May 2013 he even fed a baby lamb with a bottle, but this time, it was a trip round the land in my Uncle's jeep...

***

On Monday, I took my little man swimming, and then once we were dressed we charged out of the pool building, with me not even having thought about drying my hair.  Suffice to say I sneezed for the rest of the afternoon, but I was cheered up by my eldest Uncle taking Aaron to see the sheep and cows as below.  Between the pool and my Uncle's we did stop at the slides and swings though but I made it brief as I could already tell I was catching a chill.  I recovered that night but come Tuesday I washed my hair, and then rushed off with my Aunt to return all the dress suits (we were there for a big Irish wedding).  Again, I sneezed for the whole afternoon, but as we then visited my Great Aunt, which led to me playing (in the cold) with Aaron in her garden, my body was less forgiving and I now have flu as a result.  I have just this night had TWO lemsips.  Yes I know that means I have probably overdosed on paracetamol but right now that is the least of my problems.  Not that I have problems, but I want to be able to breathe and sleep tonight.  It'd be nice!

Anyway, back to the cattle.

It was very very nice to see how happy a visit round the land made my son:

When told that one of the sheep had a red sore bum (which we saw first hand while being told about it) due to being eaten by maggots, he spoke about that poor sheep for days, to anyone who'd listen.

When being told that the calf is breastfeeding in that last photo (I mean being told whilst I was taking it, not now), he announced "I used to do that yesterday".  He doesn't know how to say, 2 years ago, or a long time ago bless him.  When hearing it my uncle probably thought I am one of those Mums who secretly breastfeeds a 3 year old behind closed doors.  No, I don't but he does still have a bottle ;-) and we did breastfeed for 13 months.  I strongly believe cow's milk is for cows, so Aaron's always been on soya.

My little man is SUCH a country boy, and an outdoor boy, he really really thrived in Ireland, as he does every time we visit.  It is so lovely to see him so happy and so free, in such a free range way.

It's also great to get feedback, from friends and family over there.  Lovely to get compliments about him, which I sometimes crave over here.  I love to hear how good his speech is, how lovely his clothes are, how independent he is.  I give him my all, and it is nice to know I am doing SOMETHING right.

A big part of our holiday was Aaron spending a lot of time on trampolines.  We don't have one of those, but he loves them.

Anyway my flu requires that I go to bed, so night night.

Liska xx

Fun on our holidays in Ireland

My blog is a little quiet as we (Aaron and I) are in Ireland (since Saturday 7th July).

Aaron is having a great time, to say the least.  He loves the open space and the sense of freedom.  I think country living suits him down to the ground.

I will insert a link to a Flickr account here, as there are too many photos to include.

We've been busy every day since we arrived.  Soft play, and swimming both really tire him out and as the excitement of being here means he won't nap, they are the only things to make him conk out...

I had hoped for a bit of a break, but the best chance I get for a break is when we are in the soft play area as my cousin Michelle goes in with Aaron and I get chance to hear my own thoughts, have a coffee, and now for the 1st time since I arrived, get on the internet, thanks to the loan of my Aunt's dongle.

God I have never used one and they are SUPER things.  Here I am at the coffee area of the soft play, with my laptop and the "3" wireless internet thingy beside me.  Loving it.  And soft play is on a bigger scale here as space isn't at such a premium as in London.

Aaron simply loves Michelle so they're having a great time :-)






I love the slide in this soft play - when we were here the day before yesterday I went on it a few times myself.

ONLY problem with this soft play area is that the lunch menu only consists of chips, nuggets and sausages... such a shame.

Bye for now.  Hopefully I will get on the internet again at some point.

Liska x

Grown up - in shirts - in Ireland

Hi,

Just a couple of snaps from Ireland, to show Aaron's fashion and how grown up he can look in a shirt.

So, this photo has a shirt from Primark, jeans from Primark, and on top (for the style factor) a Marks and Spencers jumper (Autograph no less)... (click through to see it)

This photo shows the shirt that is under the jumper in the first photo...

The next day Aaron wore the same jeans (no accidents the day before) and wore them with a top that is top and tailed with a collar, shirt bottom and cuffs... seemed such a shame after the day before where he had a real shirt on... but he looked good and I just love this brand = NAME IT.  They do beautiful baby clothes....

Will have to dig out some more nice photos of our Ireland trip.

Didn't hesitate...
... couldn't resist and am adding this photo of Aaron with his Great Grandmother...

Bye for now, Liska xxx