Team B

Weston (or Douglas) is a member of the Castle Park Rugby squad (in burgundy) .  So far he has enjoyed it. His Coach told him he has the size, speed, and temperment to be a good player.  He just needs to stay on his feet and learn the rules of the game.  The Coach suggested he watch rugby each day for 4 hours? 

He was on the A team most of the year, but this last week, was placed on the B team (until he can learn the rules and stay on his feet!)  Rebekah and I went to a Ruby fixture (game) this week to see him play.  He did great, scored 4 'trys' and was the 'Man of the Match'.

He did fall down quite a bit... but he also made some great tackles and runs.  His coach calls him 'Dougy' and was very happy with his performance. He was hopeful that Dougy would make it back to the A team with some practice. Rebekah was excited  to be there, and experienced a roller coaster of emotions, from fear and concern to elation and pride. She was not sure what to think, as they hit each other and threw one another around.  Luckily at this age, no one seems to get hurt.  Especially if they stay on their feet!

Rugby Match

This Saturday, Weston was invited by a friend (Shane) to attend a national rugby match.  It was Ireland versus Argentina. I was asked to come along as well. Since the alternative was staying home to help cook Thanksgiving dinner, we both made a bee line for the door!

Shane's Dad works for Guinness, in the promotion department   Needless to say, he had some nice seats down by the field. We arrived early and saw the President of Ireland come out to meet the players, and listend to the crowd sing the national anthem (both of them - one for North Ireland as well).  Close up, these guys are huge!

We had a great time, even if we did not always know what was going on or when to cheer and clap. I was a bit surprised at the slow pace.  There seemed to be a lot of 'setting up' and wresting around..... Medic's were constantly out on the filed attending to players, while the match continued to be played, and the entire stadium was asked to be quiet whenever either team was attempting to kick a conversation or penalty (not sure of the terms?) All very civilized.

The crowd was great, and very friendly.  It may have helped that the Irish dominated.  All were in good spirits and enjoyed chatting to one another.  The group of guys in front of us even gave thier 'who's your Paddy' hats to Weston and his friend.

We made our way home on the Dart and walked into the house just in time to help set the table and gorge ourselves on a wonderful Turkey dinner with some other newly arrived Americas   Turkey and Rugby, not a bad way to spend an Irish Thanksgiving!

Glendaloch

We woke up this saturday to sunshine and temperate weather.  We had no choice; we had to get out of the house. After our required chores, we loaded up the car and travled to a favorite hiking spot of Rebekah (in fact she had just been there the day before with some friends, and hiking in the rain).  The drive there was amazing, over green hills dotted with sheep, valleys of autumn trees, and through a number fo small villages.

When we arrived, it the weather had changed (shocker!)  It was not raining, but was misty.  It added a nice effect to this mystical glacial valley, known as Glendaloch (glen of two lakes).   There is an old medieval monastic settlement there, complete with a large cemetery, founded by St. Kevin ( a hermit priest  in the 6th centrary.

However, today we where there to hike,  and surprisingly, the kids did not complain. Instead they bounded up the hill and stairs. The trail went on forever.  A number of hikers looked like they had been out there for days. We lasted a few hours, before darkness began to set in, and the parking lot was set to close. 

Regardless, it was nice to get out and work our lazy bones, to see some of this magical county, and spend time in the invigorating fall air. It was my first experience outside of Dublin, and left me wanting more. 

Como Taster

On the way back home we had a lay over in Milan. We made the choice to drive up to Lake Como, and the town of Bellagio. It was a rainy, quiet Sunday. The kids sat in the car listening to Huckleberry Finn, as we drove up the serpentine road, in and our of tunnels, and along breathtaking coastline.  There was no one else around, which was lucky as the roads really were narrow and twisting.  We stopped a few times to walk down to the water, which was cold, clear and calm.

Eventually we made it to Bellagio. It was as picturesque as we thought, and almost deserted  Tourist season must be over. We wandered the streets, and even took a few minutes to sit in a small church to sing a couple of hymns and share a little message and history lesson.

Of course, Rebekah and the kids stopped anyone with a dog, asking questions and giving snuggles. There is a major lobbying effort at the moment for us to get a new dog.  Then Shayne found a place to feed the duck and swans, while large trout fought for scraps below them. After 'throwing away' our supply of snacks to the fowls, we made our way up a narrow stairway to a pizza place (surprise). It was called the Grotto.  One Margarita and a 4 cheese pizza later (with a filling order of gorgonzola gnocchi to boot), we hit the streets for one last gelato before our trip back to the airpot and home.

All agreed the Como region was refreshing and different, with aspects of both Italy and the Alpine region. It  would be worth another trip back!