Tuesday, 31 July 2012

Reading Is To The Mind What Exercise Is To The Body

Another Week Another Four Books!

"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body" - Richard Steele

Hothouse Flower by Lucinda Riley - Originally published as "The Orchid House". This novel is made up of two intertwining stories, spanning from the 1930's till present. It starts with famous concert pianist Julia Forrester and how she is trying to come to terms with a huge lose in her life. She decides to come home to England to be with her family and to move on with her life. When a estate sale sends her back to the estate her grandparents lived on and where she used to holiday as a child Wharton Park. She has fond memories as a child spending time with her grandfather there in the hothouses. When the new owner Kit Crawford finds a old diary in the old cottage where Julia's grandparents used to live Julia goes to her grandmother to ask about it. Her Grandmother tell her the story of a grand love affair that nearly destroyed Wharton Park.
The historical part of the book is told by Julia's grandmother and is set during the 1930's & 40's in England and Thailand. This is my favourite of the book it basically tells of a forbidden love affair that can not end well for anyone. The historical part of the book for me is much better and much more easy to read. The modern part of the book is so dark and depressing I understand that it is because of what Julia is going but none of the characters in the modern part of the book come across very likable. I also found the twist in the last part of the book very unbelievable it also dragged out the book for another couple of chapters, after that all the lose ends where tied up and the book ended too happy ever after for me. There are lovely parts of the book in the historical part the descriptions of Thailand were beautiful. Wharton Park is like a character in the book which I also like. If you like Downton Abbey or Upstairs Downstairs you might like this book. I just wished there was more of the 30's & 40's story as it was much more appealing than the present day story.

Laura's Handmade Life by Amanda Addison - Laura Lovegrove is leaving behind her fabulous life in London to move to Norfolk where her architech husband Adi has been relocated to. Village life is different small cottage, nosey neighbours, horrible new boss and an ex boyfriend turns up. Worst of all a house fire destroys all of Laura's vintage clothing collection. Now Laura mends whats left of her collection and discovers she likes sewing and creating new things. I really wanted to like this book with its handmade and vintage theme, but the main character Laura was so hard to like. From the first few pages all she did was moan and whine, how her life in London was so much better, how life was better before her two little girls, how her job sucks, how her husband is so distance etc. What I found really annoying was how she put down her husband at every chance apparently her husband has hundreds of bad traits but not one good one! I also found the book jumped from scene to scene. Like when Laura decides to paint her house and in the next scene she is in an ambulance there was allot of scenes like that with nothing linking them together. I did read this book till the end hoping it would pick up, but I was happy when I got to the last page. What I did like was the different types of stitch's at the start of each chapter and the few patterns at the end of the book. Amanda Addison did get all the vintage and handmade stuff right on trend. What attracted me to this book was it's cover and to be honest for me it was the best thing about the book.

The King's Daughter by Christie Dickason - I have read a noble assassin by Christie Dickason which is about another character in this book Lucy Countess of Bedford you can read my review here this book is about another character in that book Elizabeth Stuart daughter of King James I. The novel begins at The Gunpowder plot in 1605 and follows Elizabeth for the next eight years as she becomes a pawn in her Father's court. As she tries to have some control in who she will marry she soon finds out that she will be more or less sold to the highest bidder. She trusts no one until she is given a present of a slave girl called Tallie, she becomes a unlikely adviser and like a sisterly figure in the princess life.
I found the first part of the book regarding the gun power plot a little drawn out it took a couple of chapters to get into the book. I enjoyed the battle of wills between Elizabeth and her father, the relationship between Elizabeth and her older brother Henry was intriguing as well as being slightly too close. There was a few things I found a little strange like when Elizabeth meets Lucy Countess of Bedford for the first time she instantly dislikes her, they become a little closer as the book goes on but nothing like the sisterly bond that is suggested in "A Noble Assassin", also I doubt that a princess would of be looking through a peep hole in a brothel!! I did enjoy the character of Tallie but just as the reader is getting to know her character she gone as quickly as she came into the book. I would of have liked a little a more of her marriage to Fredrick the German Prince and a little less of the eight years leading up to it, but in saying that it was written wonderfully and it is so well researched. I did enjoy this book much more than a noble assassin and The King's Daughter was my favourite of the four books I read this week.

Far From Home by Anne Bennett - Kate Monroe has left her little home in rural Ireland to come to make a new life in Birmingham. She has left behind all she knows and loves, her home, family and forbidden love for her cousin Tim. Upset for her feelings for Tim she knows she has to move away to start a new life just as she settles into life in Birmingham she comes home from work to find her younger sister Sally on her door step. When World War Two breaks the girls find there lives turned upside down and we go on journey with Kate to find love and leave the feelings she has for her cousin behind. I liked this book it wasn't a heavy read and it kind of reminded me of Catherine Cookson or the now late great Maeve Binchy.

I have already started on my next four books still haven't got around to reading 50 Shades yet but it is on my list! Have you read any of these books? If so what did you think of them?





Sunday, 29 July 2012

Love/Hate.....

Some more things I am Loving or Hating recently:

Hate


* People who throw rubbish from there car into the street - I saw someone do this today and its just disgusting.
* This crazy spring weather we are having in Dublin - One moment its sunny the next raining!
* Whoever didn't "get" the Olympics Ceremony - Come on people it was amazing!
* People who scream conversations on the phone while on public transport - It's like being on Trigger Happy TV!
* Neighbours who kept there dogs locked up all day in a little apartment- Really it just cruel on the poor animals.

Love


* Curling up with a book with a cup of tea or a glass of wine - Bliss!!
* Getting into bed after putting new bed clothes on the bed - It's the little things in life!
* The little bird that sings outside our bedroom window most mornings - Thank you little birdie you make my heart happy!
* Getting my hair done - There is nothing like stepping out of a salon after getting your hair done!
* My lovely family - I am so blessed to have an amazing family x

What are you hating or loving this week?

Battle of the Bulge - Week 6


This week I only lost a 1 pound boo hoo!!! =( I have been talking to my trainer in the gym and he thinks that I have gained muscle which is a good thing....I think!!

Week 6:

Monday Today we walked 3km and went to the gym I cycled 6km, walked 1.5km done some weights and went on the power-plate for 10 minutes. Dinner was honey mustard chicken with, carrots, onion, garlic and sweet potatoes.

Tuesday Today we walked another 3km and went to the gym I cycled 8km, done the power plate for 15 mins, done some weights and treadmill for 1.5km. Dinner was Chili Con Carne with rice....yummy!!

Wednesday I walked for 2.5km today and done 30mins of exercise at home. Dinner was pork stir fry with black bean sauce.

Thursday Today was my naughty day but we did go to the gym we walked 2.5km and in the gym I cycled 6km, done the treadmill for 2km and my new favourite the power plate for 20mins and done some weights too. We went to the cinema to see The Dark Night Rises and ate our own weight in ice cream and when we got home we had bun burgers and chips with a bottle of wine!!!!

Friday It took Paul nagging at me to finally make it to the gym today I was shattered and had no motivation today. We walked 2.5km and when I got to the gym I cycled 6km, done 25mins on the power-plated and some weights. Dinner was in my parents and it was beef with carrots, cabbage and potatoes.

Saturday  Today I done 3 hours of hour work which any woman or man will tell you is a work out! I also done 30 minutes of exercise at home. Dinner was steak, potatoes and pepper sauce.

Sunday Today I done 30 minutes exercise. Dinner was tray baked chicken Jamie Oliver style!!

The Bad
- I am more or less the same size since when I start 6 weeks ago =(
- Feeling really tired over the weekend so not much exercise was done.

The Good
+ I done four days in the gym my first time ever!
+ Doing well on the cycling I really like it =)

I am starting to really enjoy going to the gym the feeling I get after a workout is really good. I am really enjoying the cycling and I am a little proud that I even pushed myself on Friday. The one thing that is getting my down is due to my PCOS I am more or less the same weight since I started. I have only lost 3.2lbs since I started but at least I know myself I am lot fitter than when I started so that must count for something!




Saturday, 28 July 2012

Olympics Ceremony 2012



If I didn't comment on this well then I would be out of the loop! I am not a huge sports fan as my hubby will tell you. I am only really recalling my opinions on the opening ceremony because I cannot sleep because my hubby sleeps like a bear with a snore head!!! His snoring is outrageous!! So I thought that I would recall the Olympic Opening Ceremony in my opinion as I live in Ireland, we have heard allot in the last 12 months about the hype up to the Olympics, but we don't have the pressure to agree with everything they done regarding the Olympics.


My hubby and I sat down to watch the opening ceremony from 9pm onwards and wow, how we loved it from the rural opening onwards. I love the start how green the UK looked a bit like Ireland and how each part of the UK sang a different song that brought tears to my eyes. The moment that brought shivers down my spine the phase through the Industrial Revolution and how they brought the rings together. That was outstanding it took my breath away and send shivers up and down my spine!


Here are a few other things I loved:


Mary Poppins in the Olympics...I love it one of my favourite childhood movies
 
David Beckham bringing the torch to the Ceremony

This was so funny loved it!

The torch was amazing

I also really like the music part of the ceremony although I thought Danny Boyle should have included more of UK bands etc who are famous, but I did enjoy it. I have to be honest and no matter how much I love Paul McCartney I didn't like his performance. I also wasn't a major fan of the Artic Monkeys.

I am really excited about the Irish team, fingers crossed they will do well we had the wonderful female boxer Katie Taylor holding our flag

Come on team Ireland lets please do better than the Euro's,  I have our flag and bunting back up so it might bring us some luck. I have to say London done an amazing thing tonight and even if no else "gets" it Ireland did well done UK for putting on a great show.


Come on Ireland!!
 


Friday, 27 July 2012

The Glad Game


This week I am glad for:

- I am glad that the sun has started to shine...it gave me the motivation to get fit
- I am glad its the weekend!
- We are glad we have the most amazing in-laws that help us and we love them very much
- I am glad that we have our own little home although it's small it's our own little place
- I am glad that there is a lovely little bird that sings outside our window every morning it makes me heart happy
- I am glad that I have the most wonderful family they make me glad I am part of the family
- I am glad my best friend is my hubby he knows me better than myself and I love him lots

What is making you glad this week?


Wednesday, 25 July 2012

He's Here The Phantom of the Opera....


New Production of Phantom of the Opera is on tour

Last Friday my family and I went to see The Phantom of the Opera in the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin. Before the show we went for dinner and a few drinks. It was lovely to be out with my parents as they have never seen the show but have heard me rave on about it for over fifteen years!

Michael Crawford & Sarah Brightman the original Phantom & Christine

 I love the show since I was in my teens and for my 21st birthday present years ago Paul brought me to see it for the first time in the West End.
Since than I have been to the Paris Opera house where the story is based, seen the show in Vegas and Broadway. I went to see the film version (which I didn't like very much) and last year went to the cinema to see the live beam from Albert Hall for the 25th anniversary and we also had the song All I Ask Of You at our wedding. So you could say I LOVE the show. I get excited when I go see it the same way you would if you where going to see your favourite band. I was really excited but nervous to see the new production as it has all new staging and sets, now for someone who has never seen the show it wouldn't be that much of a deal, but for me it was because the sets and design is a huge part of what phantom of the opera is about.


The bus before the show....I know I'm sad!

Mam & Dad before the show

Paul & Me before the show


The chandelier before the show

First let me just say the Bord Gais Theatre is beautiful the area around it and the grand canal beside it so pretty.
The best part of this production is by far the cast, the Phantom is played by John Owen Jones he is well know among Phantom fans he has played the Phantom more than any other actor in the history of the show. He is amazing, he plays the Phantom slightly different than when he was in the West End.
 Christine was played by Olivia Brereton I was expecting Katie Hall but Olivia plays Christine at certain performances, I shouldn't have worried as Olivia was fantastic and in my opinion is better than Katie Hall. She has a wonderful voice and played Christine just as I like slightly weak in the first act and much stronger in the second act. She really got the performance right and I felt I saw Christine gown and mature through out the show.
The changes the chandelier in much different than in the West End or Broadway, it looked slighted like the one in Vegas but without the wow factor. It is already hanging from the ceiling which is another big change and it doesn't rise up from the stage as the overture is played which I felt was another little let down.
Onstage during the overture to makeup for lacking of chandelier rising there is a little flashback of sorts to the glory days of the Paris Opera house which I did enjoy.
 Allot of the first few songs are the same-ish staging as the west end etc until you get to the title song which is my favourite. It was a little let down with no smokey lake with the candelabras rising from the smoke. No holding breath moment when the boat comes into view. There is about 20 "floating" candles instead and a five second boat ride.

My favourite Music of the Night Pose GONE....

The staging for Music of the Night it totally different and it lost allot of its magic for me. Gone are the beautiful sensual poses replaced with blindfolds and capes. More Christine Grey than Phantom! But I did like this pose....


New Music of the Night

The end of act one the chandelier is a big disappointment it doesn't do much but shake and a little puff of smoke...far from the big chandelier crash.
In the second act Masquerade is also different no big staircase like the original production here it is set in the grand ballroom. To be fair it does looks allot like the really grand ballroom in the Paris opera house. The costumes a very different here too and it loses some of its grandeur, the Phantom's costume here is completely different and again it loses some of the magic and wow factor for me. The only other change I didn't like was the set for the graveyard scene it was somehow looked like a amateur set I wasn't fond of the staging at this scene either.
  However the final scene was amazing John Owen Jones and Olivia Brereton with Simon Bailey as Raoul play the trio brilliant. Owen Jones was heartbreaking at the end and it was the most I ever cried watching the final scene. So it just goes to show it doesn't really matter what the sets or staging looks like if the actors are amazing than the performance is too. I did enjoy this production but the sets, staging or costumes are nowhere near as good as the West End or Broadway. It is however a good production to see if you have never see the show before.

Dad & Paul at the show

My Phantom Goodies
Do you like Phantom of the Opera? Have you seen the new production if so what did you think of it?

Monday, 23 July 2012

Battle of the Bulge - Week 5



Week 5:

Monday: Paul & I walked 3km today and I done my 2 hour housework work out!!! Dinner was beef stir fry with wok noodles and black bean sauce..lovely.

Tuesday: Paul & I walked 3km and went to the gym. I cycled 8km, rowed 500m, done the treadmill 2km, done some weights and the cross trainer 1km. Oh and my new favourite thing the power-plate for 5 mins. The cross trainer is still the hardest I do be shattered after 5 minutes on it! Dinner was beef hash (God bless Jamie Oliver and his 30 min meals!) with jacket potatoes and corn on the cob..mmmm...

Wednesday: Paul & I went swimming this morning....well Paul tried to teach me for an hour! I also walked 3km. It was great exercise and I felt lovely and fresh after it. I done 2 hours house work this afternoon and dinner was chorizo and sweetcorn pasta bake. Paul was in work till late so it done for his lunch/supper too.

Thursday: I walked 4.5km today we went to the gym I cycled 5km, rowed 500m and went on the power- plate for 5 minutes. Paul was in work till late so I just had a left over pasta bake for dinner.

Friday: Today was my naughty day we went to see Phantom of the Opera today. So we met my parents in town and went for dinner I had roast chicken, fresh veg with potatoes I also has dessert it was Eton Mess my favourite! After the show we went for a few drinks it was a lovely day.

Saturday: Paul & I walked 2km today we had a family get together in my parents so dinner was finger food!!

Sunday: I only walked 1.5km today and dinner was roast beef with all the trimmings with a couple of glasses of red wine.

The Bad
- The lack of exercise I done over the weekend
- I am getting a bit down about the fact I'm not loosing much weight
- The weather at the start of the week was not giving me much motivation

The Good
+ I done alot of exercise this week
+ The power-plate love it
+ My legs are starting to look a little toned from all the walking

After the lack of doing anything last week, I had much more motivation this week. This week I walked over 17km in total over the week which is really good for me. I am really enjoying the cycling I also find it relaxing. The power-plate is my new favourite but the cross-trainer is still my enemy at the moment!! The weekend I felt bloated and fat again when I was looking in my wardrobe for something to wear for the show on Friday! My goal for next week is go the gym more and cut down on snacking.

Saturday, 21 July 2012

I Wear Boots All Summer Long!

Couldn't resist making a title from a Stevie Nick's song! Well it feels like I am wearing boots all summer long.

What I am wearing!


I wear boots all summer long....


What I SHOULD be wearing!!!


Thursday, 19 July 2012

One is never over-dressed or underdressed with a Little Black Dress

With my Battle of the Bulge plan going well (apart from last week) I am aiming to try get into two of my favourite dresses. A blue strapless prom dress I bought in the States and a cream lace dress I bought in Penny's (Primark). I am hoping to fit back into at least one of them in September for our first wedding anniversary.


Do you have a favourite dress or outfit that you hoping to fit back into?

Wednesday, 18 July 2012

Reading Is A Discount Ticket To Everywhere....

"Reading is a discount ticket to Everywhere" - Mary Schmich

Books I Read This Week.

Here is another review of some books I read this week. No, 50 Shades of Grey this week but its on my "to do" list ;)

Becoming Jane Eyre by Sheila Kohler - My love of the Bronte Clan continues this week with this fictional biographical of Charlotte Bronte. It mostly told by Charlotte's point of view but there is a little of Emily and Anne too. It is a much smaller book than Taste Of Sorrow and less intense. It starts in 1846 with Charlotte at her sick Father's bedside writing the first chapters of Jane Eyre. The story continues recounting the life's of the Bronte Family from the sisters dealing with there alcoholic brother Branwell to the challenges of trying to get there books published. I got straight into the book from the first page, I really enjoyed the first few chapters as Charlotte recalls her love affair with her "professor" and how she incorporates this experience into Jane Eyre. I did get the feeling of sisterly rivalry when Jane Eyre was published with good reviews and felt for the other sisters when there books didn't do as well, especially poor Emily whose Wuthering Heights got the worst reviews. However the last part of the book for me is lacking it loses focus and for me it felt as if the ending was rushed. I also didn't like the covers of this book as there is two different ones they don't do any justice for the book and the cover for the one I read looks more "Jane Austin" then Jane Eyre! It has however inspired me to re-read Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights.

The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato - This book is about present day Leonora, who when her marriage falls apart moves to Venice to find out about her family history and reconnect with her ancestor Corradino. This book goes back and forth from present day to the 17th century. In 17th century we learn about Corradino Manin who was a maestro glassblower. Glassblowing at the time was more precious that gold and the art form was hidden and kept secret. The secrets where ferociously guarded my The Council Of Ten. Corradino to protect his daughter sells his secerts to King Louis of France. Present day it tells the story of Corradino descendant Nora/Leonora who's life had fallen apart after her husband leaves her for an older woman. She decides to leave London for Venice and take up glassblowing for herself. Along the way she falls in love with Venice and with handsome Alessandro. The two story's intertwine as she finds out more about Corradino's strange "death". I found it a little hard to get into at first, and for the first couple of chapters the modern part of the story was easier to ready. It really gave you the feel of Venice and it has made me want to visit Venice again...like now!! However I still wasn't sure about Leonora and Alessandro at the end, it was the only part of the plot which I thought was lacking. It was a really good read and it was my favourite of the four.

Monday To Friday Man by Alice Peterson - Gilly Brown has been jilted two weeks before her wedding and at 34 her sister in law has her wrote of as a spinster! Alone in London with just her dog Ruskin for company she is finding it hard to pay her bills her friend suggest a lodger a Monday to Friday man. Along comes Jack Baker a top TV producer, soon Gilly find herself caught up with fancy party's, glamour and fine dinning. Only Gilly's dog walking friend Guy isn't convinced that Jack is all he pretends to be. What attracted me to this book was the cover I thought it was really pretty! It's basically a chick-lit but what makes its that little bit special is its narration and like The Girls Guide To Homemaking last week it has a great back story from divorce, disability, love, marriage, and loneliness. There is good flashbacks to Gilly's childhood, where we learn of her broken home life and her disabled little sister. It was pretty obvious from the first few chapters what has going to happen with Gilly's love life. Its not a mind blowing read or something that's going to stay with you forever but its good for what it is, and I enjoyed sitting on the sofa with a cup of tea reading it.

Between the Sheets by Colette Caddle - Dana De Lancey is a romance novelist think Mills & Boon, but all is not well in her own love life. When her husband Guy leaves her, her world falls apart. Her estranged brother Ed turns up out of the blue and it makes her relive some painful memories. I just couldn't get into this book and found it a struggle to finish it. It did however make me appreciate my loving communicate hubby.

Onto the next four books for next week!! Have you read any of these books? If so what did you think of them?

Love/Hate

Some things that I am Loving or Hating lately!

Hate

* My slow old computer - I really really need to get a new laptop!
* Girls wearing pj's to the shops - really is it that much of an effort to put clothes on?
* My caveman 5 year old mobile phone - again really need to get an up to date phone!
* Women wearing makeup to the gym - this is my new pet hate! WHY? WHY? WHY? If your going to sweat it all off why bother?
* This so called summer we are having - rain, wind, floods, is not my idea of summer!
* All the sport this summer - football, golf, and now the Olympics!

Love



* Phantom of the Opera - I am really really looking forward to seeing it on Friday.
* Going to the gym - woman getting done up to go to the gym aside, I am really enjoying getting fit.
* Reading - I am enjoying reading different authors...I am even going to give 50 Shades a go!
* Badminton - While we haven't got to use our badminton set alot yet I am hoping that's going to change soon!
* Blogging - loving blogging at the moment and also reading other blogs, often spending way too long reading other blogs!
* My hubby - he is brill and cheers me up when I am feeling down.

What are you loving and hating??

Monday, 16 July 2012

Charity Shops

My  recent donations to my local Charity Shop
Are you too posh to donate or shop in charity shops? I have to be honest and say up until a couple of years ago I never went into charity shops, but a couple of years ago with the fall of the so called Celtic tiger I tried visiting a few of our local charity shops. I found a few little gems tops and a dress from warehouse and mango and I haven't looked back since! I often find lovely household gems, vases, pictures, candle holders. Sometimes you have to search for the clothing gems....but I think it's the same as TK Maxx! It makes it all the more cool when you dig out a great find!
I know more and more people are selling there old stuff, but I still donate my stuff to my local charity shops. Recently I donate a huge bag of stuff,  clothes that no longer fitted me =( My shoes in the picture above...it broke my little heart to get rid of these! It is no secret that I love shoes and I am a size 2-3 so when I find my size I buy them even if I can't walk in them. My favourites where the pink ones! They didn't quite fit me they slipped up and down on me....although they where a size 3! They where sky scrapers but that didn't stop me wearing them out dancing!!! Bad idea after a few too many I landed on my knee and nearly knee capped myself! So needless to say I thought I better donate them to find a happy home and someone who cant actually walk in them!!!
So the next time you walk past a charity shop have a look inside you might have a really gem!

Sunday, 15 July 2012

Battle of the Bulge - Week 4

This week has been my worst week so far....ate lots of chocolate and lacked motivation to do much exercise.

Week 4:

Monday: I done 2 hours house work and walked 2km today. Dinner was peppered steaks, sweetcorn and roast potatoes.

Tuesday: I walked 2km today and done 30mins exercise at home today. Dinner was breaded chicken, peas and baby potatoes.

Wednesday: I walked 3km today in which I was caught in three rain showers!!! Went to my parents for dinner it was steak, carrots, peas and potatoes it was lovely I also had a few glasses of wine with my parents.

Thursday: I walked 3km today. Dinner was a quick pasta bake and I ate half a huge bar of chocolate! =/

Friday: I walked 1.5km today. Dinner was baked sea bass with salad.

Saturday: Had a bit more motivation today. We walked 3km, we bought a badminton set today in aldi so we played badminton today for an hour and half. It was good fun. Today was my naughty day never mind naughty day I have been bad with my diet all week!! Paul made a lovely Thai green chicken curry with rice and poppadoms washed down with some white wine!

Sunday: We played badminton for an hour today...stupid rain made us stop!! Dinner was bangers and mash with onion gravy with a glass of red wine!

The Bad
- The lack of exercise & motivation I had all week
- The huge amount of chocolate I ate this week!!
- I ate a serious amount of carbs & comfort food this week
- The weather...half an hour walk & getting caught in 3 rain downpours!

The Good
+ The fact that I actually did any exercise this week..is an achievement
+ I found a sport I like Badminton its great fun!
+ Still walking and enjoying the fresh air
+ The new healthy recipes I found can't wait to try them next week

So this week was a bit of a waste I lacked motivation to do anything this week, so I spent most of it eating chocolate, drinking tea, reading and feeling sorry for myself! The weekend was a little better we bought a badminton set for aldi and enjoyed a few hours over the weekend playing it in the park across from our apartment. My aim for next week is to get back to the gym and swimming pool walk more, to try out the new recipes I found and to hopefully lose a couple of pounds.

Our Summer To Do List



Well since its "summer" and Paul and I are not going on any holidays these year we have deiced that we are going to do a few days out around Dublin. So here is our little summer to do list.

- Go on a tour of Guinness Store House
- Go to the beach at least once this summer!
- For me to finally learn how to swim
- Vist Dublin Castle
- Have a picnic
- Use our badminton set lots!!
- Go on the Viking Splash Tour
- Have a weekend away in the country
- Have afternoon tea in a posh hotel!
- Vist Kilmainham Jail
- To see a Dublin match in Croke Park
- Vist The National Gallery
- Go on a tour of The Jameson Whiskey Distillery
- Have dinner at Marco Pierre White's
- See Phantom of the Opera in Dublin

Let's see how many of these we get through by the end of September and hopefully we will have had some nice sunny days.

Thursday, 12 July 2012

Summer Fun Take 3!!!

Some more pictures of the things we have been up took the past couple of weeks.


Paul lovely as always!


I love my Dad & Mam

















 

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