) then we finally got to our room the keys didn’t work However, my sister was in the room next door and they were interconnected with doors open so I was able to get in while Edward sorted out the keys. By then I was a pretty sweaty mess, so we both had quick showers, Edward was ready first and I managed to present myself by 5.10pm which wasn’t too bad. I even put on some eye makeup which I felt was melting while was applying it, but thankfully I wore sunglasses all evening! My brother and his daughters had put together hampers for us all, with all sorts of bits and pieces in them.My brother had stressed for weeks about the effect of regulations around indoor/outdoor dining but honestly if he had planned it that way, it could not have been better. The hotel, a Radisson https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/ho ... u-cork-spa is based around an old house with a lovely garden at the back and they had set it up beautifully for ourselves and other groups. Of course the weather was amazing and the whole thing was just so special. We had our very nice food, the children ran around, we moved between tables, and my brother just sat enjoying watching us all chatting and having a laugh. He reminded me of our father, who similarly would not necessarily join in the chat too much but loved to see all the interaction. The Cork people all gradually went home, but the the Dublin gang, ourselves, my sister, and Miss Osc, SIL, Michael and Kellie, stayed out in the beautiful balmy evening chatting.
We had breakfast booked for 8.30 as swimming had been booked for the children at 10.30. It worked well, we were able to have the leisurely breakfast we all enjoy. My eldest niece popped in on her way to work. The rest arrived then and while the dads went swimming with the older children, my brother arrived as did my other niece with her two smaller children, and it was back to the garden. We eventually left around 12.30- 12.45 and I drove home like a zombie - no aircon in the rooms so none of us had slept too well due to the heat. Thankfully we got a nice clear run, and with a short break for a toilet break again, and two very large ice creams, we got home around 4.15 and ordered dinner from next door. Now we are slumped here wondering how early we can go to bed
It was a very special event and one for the memory banks, we hadn’t seen each other for 22 months.
The youngest one, in the blue dress, is the girl with three children including the little boy who was born prematurely April of last year and yet she is always beautifully turned out. The older girl (in the puffed sleeves) works as a personal shopper in Brown Thomas which would be Ireland’s Harrods I suppose, she has worked there for many years. Miss Osc has a natural style that she must have got from my sister as I don’t have it.