Sydney ~ Paris ~ Killorglin
AU Revoir, Sydney
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
Bonjour, Paris!
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…
