Unfortunately we slept in so didn’t see Margaret and Don before they went to work. We had basically packed already so we moved the 2 bags of items we wouldn’t need for the next 5-6 weeks upstairs into the ceiling. We also had time to ring Irene and discuss the merits of a tour versus an on-line ticket for the Vatican and also catch up with her news. We had a short chat with Peter, the landlord, who had returned from holiday and had organised a roofer to fix a leak. We were able to thank him for the use of the room.

We deliberately left early for the airport which was wise . We had a few issues finding the Hertz depot, initially relating to being in the wrong lane but later because the roads had changed. Once we got there all was smooth and we had a courtesy vehicle to the terminal. We didn’t seem to need a 2 hour check in but it gave us time to have a leisurely lunch.

Once in Ireland the Hertz office in Cork initially tried to charge us for the extra driver (90 euros) but that was soon sorted. The car is the oldest we have had and has a few scrapes but seems OK to drive

We enjoyed the drive to Waterford. The roads were like NZ roads so a much slower drive but with nice scenery. We were by the sea quite often which was also nice. We didn’t stop as we had said we would be at Nuala and Tony’s about 6pm and we were spot on for time.

(Nuala, Tony and their 2 young children (Harry and Grace) stayed in our home in February 2010).

We arrive just after Nuala had returned from the hospital . Their daughter Grace had broken her arm. We were having a drink when Grace arrived from her friends – the friend had a broken leg. Then a neighbour arrived with Harry and her own 2 sons. She left them there so she could take another child to hurling practice. The father of the 2 boys soon arrived and also had a drink. It was noisy and fun. The neighbourhood is obviously a friendly one. We had been already invited for tea so it was nice to have time to chat about their holiday and also about this area. They had a couple of pages of advice for us.

Tony drove ahead of us to their holiday house we are staying in. It is a full-size house as it is the one they used to live in. They kindly put in enough food to get us underway and also ran through some of the controls. There are lovely views of the lights of the nearby town across the water that we could see from the kitchen and also our room. It is the longest time we are staying in one spot, although slightly ‘out of the way’ there are heaps of things we have been told about we can do within about an hours drive. The house is very private and close to the beach so should be a lovely restful spot.

Before Tony left he put out some food for the local fox. Unfortunately it appears to have broken its’ leg and the vet has suggested to Tony that he attempt to catch it and to bring it in. It will probably have to be put down.

While John was outside a very bright meteor passed low over the house and burst into 3 pieces before heading over the bay towards Tramore. It was reported the next day on the radio and they reckon a piece of it would be worth a small fortune. They reckoned if it hit land intact it would have had the force of a small nuclear device.