Killorglin ~ Saas Fee

Christmas eve was a blustery day in Kerry. Nevertheless, our brave heroes decided a trip to the hilltops overlooking stunning Caragh Lake was in order. 

Caragh Lake always reminds me of something out of the Lord of the Rings. A stunningly beautiful mountain lake with wild green hillsides spilling down into pristine fresh water. The Caragh Lake Yacht Squadron (consisting of half a dozen ~20 year old dinghies) plies its waters during the long summer evenings, and a few hardy souls venture out in the winter months.

We went climbing with Irene and Stephen, their sons Kevin and Ronan, as well as auntie Geraldine and cousin Nina, who is a particular favourite of Aisling’s. 

Beautiful forest paths on the way up and a chance to swing our way along.

At the top, sweeping views of the lake and in the distance the town of Killorglin, where if you know where to look you can see our house (very slowly) taking shape.

Charles was nearly blown off the top of the hill! If you look carefully on the tree behind him you can see a few Christmas baubles installed by the inimitable Pa Brown to add some holiday cheer up high…

Wonderful to have Christmas with family. Lots of cousins on hand and Santa found us in Killorglin.

Lots of presents all around, even for Cooper the dog. Time to celebrate the one day of the year we get coco pops for breakfast…

The weather served up the usual breathtaking views over the Reeks…

While Irene and Niamh cooked up an amazing feast for Christmas dinner, with the extended table running out of the room and nearly out of the house.

Traditional Irish Christmas fare paired with a traditional Aussie “slab pav” dessert by Niamh:

To work it all off, the boys headed out for a boxing day expedition – a day out at a Leinster – Munster rugby match with Stephen, Ronan and Hugh.

Fantastic pub lunch before the game, which was played out in brisk conditions to say the least! Leinster ran away with the first half before a Munster comeback which unfortunately wasn’t good enough to carry the day. Great day out all around.

December 27th was the twins’ 50th birthday, so a 100th celebration was in order. It has snowed overnight, serving up a particularly beautiful and atmospheric dawn with snowy peaks on the Reeks:

Rainy and sleeting day in Killorglin pointed to indoor activities. We started with some corridor balloon tennis, then headed to the local cinema for a showing of Ferdinand the bull.

Charles overcome by the excitement and succeeded in mating the two halves of different jackets on the way out.

Wonderful celebration dinner with the twins for their 100th with guitar playing and singing into the evening. In honour of our impending 10th wedding anniversary the next day, Irene even donned her bridesmaid’s dress one more time…

The 28th saw snow lingering on the mountains and atmospheric landscapes:

Simon and Niamh moved into the Killarney Park hotel for a night for their 10th wedding anniversary.

Being back at the scene of our marriage photos brought back wonderful memories of 2007 when so many of our friends and family made the trip to help us celebrate our wedding.

Wonderful anniversary dinner with family, including a flaming croquembouche in honour of our wedding cake, and 10th anniversary medals presented to both of us by our lovely children with a bit of help from Irene 🙂

Time to leave family behind for a while, as we head off for our skiing holiday with Nerida, Roger, Alex and Amy. Early start from Kerry International Airport in light rain to fly to Dublin and connect to Geneva. 

Early start makes for sleepy kids. Won’t these bags EVER come out? When they finally do it provides a great place for a nap…

First ride of many to come on a European train. Great fun had exploring up and down and catching up with our friends.

It gets dark before we reach the Alps, but we’ll have a better chance to see the beautiful mountain views on our way back next weekend

Made it to Saas Fee! Snowing lightly and the whole beautiful village covered in white. Forecast is for lots more snow on the way.

Tired but excited crew catch a quick dinner then catch some sleep before first day of skiing on Sunday. The resort goes up to an impressive 3600m so altitude might take some adjusting to. We’ll have to adapt our balloon tennis shot selection accordingly…

Sydney ~ Paris ~ Killorglin

Team Blackburn Brosnan preparing for launch from temporary launch pad at undisclosed location in Sydney (but possibly Bondi Junction Meriton based on monochrome décor and indestructible furniture). Uncle Angus on hand for emergency fridge clean-out

At the airport in a state of high excitement and high spaghetti.

In the background the 1960s vintage flip card-style flight board famously destroyed by CMB shortly before a flight in 2012 … but successfully repaired to full working order in time for launch

Settling in on the plane.

In good family tradition, both children ordering one of everything going.

Aisling happily settling in for 8 hour Peppa Pig and PJ Masks marathon

Children full of excitement at making it to Charles de Gaule.

Aisling surprisingly chipper!

“Mummy, why is everybody speaking French?”

Reality soon sets in once we make it to the apartment

Bit of sleep and soon back in form.

We had one day to explore then Charles and Aisling school visits and off to Ireland.

Weather in Paris was cold but sunny and still – perfect weather for walking off jet lag.

And with most places in Paris quiet on a Sunday, where else to head but to the Christmas windows and decorations at …

Galleries Lafayette!

Then apply Irene’s Law for Travelling with Small Children: keep moving! Off into the streets to explore Paris and walk off the jet lag.

Charles had an eye-opening visit to his new school for a day, meeting his teachers and new classmates from all around the world in a pistache of french and english. 

It wasn’t all tough cultural adjustment however. When asked what he chose for lunch in the school cafeteria, he sensibly followed the lead of his new friends: “mashed potato and chocolate mousse”!

We saw Charles’ classmates do their Christmas concert, met many of the other parents and children, and had a short stop by Aisling’s pre-school to meet her (Irish!) English teacher and her equally international class-mates to be.

Charles and Simon paid a visit to the apartment we’ll be renting in January and met our landlord, who also has 6 and 4 year old children, both boys. A local lego association is already in early stages of formation.

The apartment is about 15 minutes walk (or scoot…) from the two schools, and right across the road from the park in the champ de mars. We skipped across for the first of many future games of soccer … sorry, football.

I’ll be home for Christmas

After a few brief days in Paris, time to head to Ireland for Christmas with Niamh’s family in Kerry. It’s our first Christmas in Kerry since getting married 10 years ago!

We’re all looking forward to seeing all the cousins, to some hikes in the countryside and evenings beside the fire.

Somehow Killorglin manages to serve up breathtaking vistas even in the midst of winter during the shortest days of the year, and the mood is always festive with the Brosnans and Fitzpatricks.

Short flight on Aer Lingus to Cork where thanks to the gulf stream the weather is about 7 degrees warmer than in Paris.

Excited to see our nan!

Peg is in fine form as always, keeping sharp through her evening whist goes where she is a regular winner.

Charles and Aisling equally excited about seeing their cousins and for impending Christmas celebrations.

Advent calendars steadily winding down and the level of anticipation steadily winding up.

Once in Killorglin, kids quickly set about reuniting with Cooper, sending a message to Santa and of course, reuniting themselves with Joe Shea’s toy shop. Something that was important to do many times…

Then to make sure we’re looking our Christmas best, a quick trip to Gemma’s to get ourselves spruced up:

Whirlwind circuit of many of our favourite Killorglin haunts.

Chilling at Jack’s restaurant waiting for our Santa visit (with real reindeer!); Simon’s first visit to the Bianconi (how did it take 10 years??), and a must do was ordering the “Bianconi Surprise”; and just enjoying strolling in downtown Killorglin.

Meanwhile work on the new house next door to Irene’s continues at a not so cracking pace. NoChristmas dinner hosting by us this year, maybe we should shoot for Easter dinner instead…

It will be wonderful when it’s finished and a great way for the kids to establish some roots in Ireland. Not to mention finally allowing us to get out from under the feet of Irene and Stephen each time we visit!

A trip to Killarney wouldn’t be complete without a jaunting car ride, and Christmas means Santa’s sleighs take to the streets.

Our horse was the aptly named Prancer (a girl horse as Aisling was delighted to hear), and we even had a surprise visit from Santa who jumped onto the sleigh half way through the ride, before hopping out lithely and jumping into the passenger seat of the car in front to speed off to the local children hospital to spread some Christmas cheer.

And did we mention the Kerry landscapes? Spectacular in any weather and at any time of day…