Before setting off on our Asia travels we had an opportunity to jet back to our homeland to spend some time with our friends and family in the U.K. and Ireland. We took the month of April to roam about and had such a wonderful time, but it was all too brief.

While not Asia, we still thought that the huge tour deserved it’s very own posting – it’s probably only interesting for family and close friends, even still we’ve tried to just stick to the highlights!

Oh my – 13 beds in 30 days, here goes…

Ireland

Bed 1. Leeson Bridge Hotel – Dublin, Sunday 3rd 

The first stop was Ireland and we flew straight to the capital, Dublin. We hired a car from Hertz in Dublin airport – it was pretty cheap in comparison to the AUD/HKD prices that we’re used to, but adding on insurance bumped up the price a little! Never the less it was the best option as we needed to cover a lot of ground and the trains are currently a very pricy alternative.

Landing in Dublin airport around 6.00 a.m. on Sunday 3rd April we jumped in the hire car and with the help of the ‘map.me’ app, typed in our destination in south Dublin and we set off for Eddie’s nieces christening. We arrived with time to spare and had a chance to meet up with Eddies lovely parents Cathy and John, brother Robert and his gorgeous wife Karina and their kiddie-winks, before making our way to the church in time for the ceremony.

After meeting with family and friends and after the lovely christening ceremony, it was time to ‘wet the babies head’ and we all went to the  pub for a delicious Sunday roast. Eddies family were all in great form and high spirits for the special occasion!

After the roast dinner there was no denying that jet lag had firmly set in and so we made our way to our hotel back in the city centre and passed out!

The next morning we walked about Dublin city and I recalled times when I had lived there as a 19 year old – it seemed a lifetime ago! But what a fun time that was. This new Dublin that I was presented with was a much more gentrified and manicured city than I remembered, the architecture is truly beautiful. We walked around in the sunny spring morning and had a cups tea and a bacon butty in a greasy spoon for breakfast; it was good to be back!

It was then time to visit Eddies family and farewell them for the time being as we took off for our next stop…

St Stephens Green, Dublin

Bed 2. Maria & John Joe – Killeigh, Monday 4th

Home to my beautiful cousin Maria we couldn’t be in Ireland with out checking on the gang! We got given “Irish directions” to the village (first left past the graveyard etc.) which were 100% accurate… however my interpretation of the directions were a little ‘off’ so it took a bit of back and forth, up and down the wrong roads – but eventually we found the treasure! Killeigh village is just south of Tullamore and it’s a beautiful quaint village, we saw it on a sunny day and it was so peaceful.

True to form Maria, John Joe, their baby Paidi and dog ‘super’ Cooper were in fine form – baby Paidi is one cool customer, not a bother on him!

That night we went out for dinner with my partner in crime in Hong Kong, the always gorgeous Emma! We had such a fun night chatting away with Emma and Darren – my only regret that is wasn’t long enough! We covered a bit of ground but next time will need to be much longer!

The next morning super woman Maria cooked us up a feast for breakfast and gave us treats for the road as we headed on over to Galway, love this girl!

Cutie pie Paidi

Bed 3. Aunty Catherine & Uncle Martain – Galway, Tuesday 5th

The next day we set off to see my Aunty Catherine and the gang in Galway – upon approaching the beautiful city Eddie recalled he’d spent time there while studying in Uni and was able to discuss all the geographical features. When we arrived in the city it was buzzing with backpackers, it was a beautiful sunny day and so we stretched our legs and took a quick walk through some of the central cobbled roads and came across some awesome musician buskers. After a brief wander we headed on through Connemara to see my lovely Aunty C, uncle M and cousins Cormac, Caitriona and Sinead (we missed you Roisin & Diarmaid!) – and Sinnies hubby to be David.

Aunty Catherine cooked up a storm for dinner and we gathered in the living room around the fire so that Eddie (or was it Cormac?) could watch the Barcelona match 😉 Haha

The next day Catherine took us for a walk around the Spiddal coast and then we visited Sinnie in her “sickeningly quaint” (David’s words!) cottage that I wish I lived in, it’s so so gorgeous – even comes with its own deserted village to the side, what a place! We had tea and Caitriona had us laughing at the latest work shenanigans!

Again, the gang were all in mighty form and the visit was definitely too brief!

Galway

Bed 4. Des & Ailish – Westport, Wednesday 6th

The next afternoon we headed on to see my cousin Des and his gorgeous wife Ailish in Westport – we took the scenic Atlantic road where Eddie was having fun with the cars throttle and steering, hmmm! We arrived in the evening and went out for delicious pizza and a few glasses of wine and put the world to rights (well, somebody has to!) We then popped in to the iconic Matt Malloys pub and there was a great music session in play – we had a few more to drink and then a brisk walk home past the chipper for curry chips! So good!

Matt Molloys Pub, Westport

Bed 5. Aunty Sheila & Uncle Mick – Achill Island, Thursday 7th

Thursday saw us head to Achill Island, it’s where my grandparents lived and my Dad and his siblings all call home – it’s what I call my spiritual home! I love this place, time stands still and you’re stood facing the wild Atlantic in beautifully rugged countryside. This place is in my bones. We were lucky to see Achill in good weather and along with my Aunty Sheila, Uncle Mick and cousin Andrew, we were able to show Eddie around the Island and some of its charms.

We just had the one day on Achill (every visit is never long enough but this was too short!) but I made sure to visit the village graveyard and had Eddie helping scale it searching for names – Fun times hey! Before we knew it it was time to drop the hire car off to Knock airport as we jetted over to England and to my dad’s master plan that had been in play for months; mum’s surprise birthday party! Eep – exciting!!

Achill Island

Touring Achill

England

Bed 6. My Mum & Dad! (Jane & Tony) – Bristol, Friday 8th

Landing back in my hometown got me a little choked up, Bristol it’s been too long! On the same flight as us were my aunties Catherine and Sheila and my uncles Peter and Mick – all headed over to surprise my mum! Picking us up at the airport was my beautiful wonder-woman sister in law Laney with her gang; my two year old niece Ivy Kate (with fairy wings, naturally) and brand new nephew Rowan, so cute and tiny!!

We went back to Laney and Stephens (awesome brother) house and had a huge lunch and then quickly got ready for dad’s master plan; mums surprise party!

The Party!

At 8.00 p.m. sharp Eddie and me were hidden behind a stage wall at the party venue, ready and waiting to be mums second surprise of the evening – the surprise guests, after the surprise! I was giddy with excitement as at this point hadn’t seen my mum or dad yet… So close, yet so far!

We heard a huge “Surprise!” as mum and dad entered the venue and then heard mum going into shock greeting all her friends and family that had travelled afar to be there! After about 20 minutes of this we were champing at the bit waiting in anticipation. My uncle Ian then brought mum and dad up to the stage and after a bit of a speech to set the tone, out we popped “all the way from Australia…” – well, the surprise worked, mum ‘went into verse’ with the shock of it all – mission accomplished, phew! I’m not sure how dad pulled it all off but mum was fully surprised and then the party went into full swing – hidden talents there dad!

We then danced the night away, I seem to remember having an Irish dancing dance-off with my brothers Stephen & Kieran, haha… I think I won? Although Steve definitely had the highest kick and Kieran had a cool shoulder rolling action; it’s a close call. Let’s just say I won that one ;p

The rest of the night was a blur chatting away with friends and family (too many to list!), but suddenly it was 5.00 a.m. and time for bed!

Needless to say, the rest of the weekend was a slow recovery!

We spent the rest of the week in Bristol and I got to have a lot of much- needed family time… I loved every second with mum and dad, Stephen and Laney & crew, Kieran, Nan, Ann and Ian, Alexandra… I think mum is still a bit in shock that it all happened.

A special shout out goes to Eddies fab cousin Maddie who travelled down all the way from Cardiff – we had such a great time in the escape room on the Monday!

Also it was so so amazing to see my friends Jen and Lou, it was short but very very sweet with both of you- hopefully we’ll be around much longer next time!

Home sick!…

Bristol suspension bridge

Mum in shock! 

Maddie in sunny Bristol

Bed 7. Mick & Catriona – London, Saturday 15th

After a great week in Bristol, Saturday saw us head to Richmond for lunch with Eddies family; Aunty Barbera (who makes the best millionaires shortbread ever!), uncle Richard and cousin Hazel and also Eddies brother Michael and his beautiful wife Catriona. My parents also joined us – in fact dad drove us all from Bristol (love you!). We all met up in the pub and it was a short walk over to a delicious restaurant for a feast. What a great afternoon!

After the lunch Eddie and me headed home with Mike and Catriona to their new home in Earlsfield. We spent a fantastic two nights in Earlsfield after Bo (cat) made friends with us – kind of 😉 It’s in a really great location near some great pubs with huge beer gardens and one has a ping pong table, that apparently I suck at! Their home has an amazing garden and it was great to see the two brothers gardening together while Catriona and me um, directed! Haha.

Eddies fav – Banana beer!

Bed 8. Vicky & James – Farnham, Monday 17th

Monday saw us hop on a train to see my gorgeous friend Vicky, husband James and their beautiful daughters Emma and Zoe – I had the best time with them! They have a crazy busy Monday but they took it all in their stride, even managing to cook up a storm for dinner! Vic, you have super powers no? You certainly know how to make me miss a place! We really had the best time.

Bed 9. Helen & Ben – Berkhamstead, Tuesday 18th

Tuesday we hopped on a train over to see my superstar friend Helen, husband Ben and their cutie patootie baby Alexander! I’d never been to Berkhamstead before, it’s so gorgeous! We roamed the fields and Alexander was having a fab time. I still crack up thinking of him pointing at every man he saw in the village and asking “Dada?” – he’s so funny and somehow already has Helen’s sense of humour!

Bed 10. Uncle Bruce & Aunty Janet – Billericay, Wednesday 19th

Wednesday and Thursday night we spent with Eddies Uncle Bruce and Aunty Janet. We had such a lovely time and got spoilt rotten with the time they spent with us. I loved driving on Bruce’s train in the garden and also the long walk around the village that we took – and the cheeky pint in the village pub!

Thursday night we got taken for an amazing dinner and in true village style, we got the local gossip and political opinions from a hearty chat with the restaurant owner – haha!

Uncle Bruce

Bed 11. Stewart & Erin – Durham, Friday 21st

Friday saw us hop on a train up to Durham to stay with Eddies mates Stewart and Erin, and their baby girl Charlotte who is simply cute as a button! (I’d visited Durham before when my friend Vic was at uni there but I think it may have been more of a pub tour back then haha).

Stewart and Erin live a little way out of the city in a huge house on a massive plot of land! We had a lovely meal and slept like babies that night!

Scotland

Bed 12. Eddies Mum & Dad! (Cathy & John) – Edinburgh, Saturday 22nd

Saturday saw us head to Glentress with Stewart in his crazy fast car! Eddie and a gang of his mates all grabbed the oppotunity and met up to go on a cross country track on their bikes – there was quite a set up at the trail venue there and the place was buzzing with activity, groups of friends and family groups setting off on different trails together and a huge cafe… Excellent.

The sight of Eddie and all his mates together was a little intimidating (these are big, tough guys!) so I opted for a much more subdued morning of reading in the cafe and then a quick snooze in Stewart’s car, bliss!

After the boys had their fun, Eddie’s mate Phil then gave us a lift the rest of the way from Glentress up to his parents in Edinburgh. No sooner than we had arrived it was time to head on out for dinner and drinks in the city with the biking boys –  we had a really great night, it was eye-opening and hilarious and a bit full-on all at the same time, a great night!

The next morning we headed back to Innerleithen and met up with Jill, Simon, Sam and Holly at the Scottish downhill association championships – sadly their son Eddie (named after our Eddie!) was away playing rugby and couldn’t be there. We had a great afternoon with them, such a lovely family.

Staying in Edinburgh with Eddies parents was really fantastic, we had a feast every night and truly loved their company. During the week we all went up to visit Eddies old university town of St Andrews in their amazing VW camper van! When we arrived they were all stunned that it was such a beautiful day – the sky was blue and so we walked through the cathedral, the university grounds and around the town – what a stunning place to go to Uni! On the way back we stopped off at some stunning costal villages and had fish and chips, so so good!

During the visit we also managed to catch up with Eddies mates Waz, Gordon and Nick who were all in fine form and made our time there even more fun than we’d expected!

Jill, Simon, Sam and Holly (Little Eddie was off playing rugby), Innerleithen

St Andrews Cathedral

Road trip selfie!

VW van!

Bed 13. Andy & Janice – Edinburgh, Friday 28th 

After an awesome week in Edinburgh Friday night saw us trek over to Eddies best mates house, Andy and his beautiful girlfriend Janice. Eddies mates Amy and Craig also came for the party and we had an amazing dinner and umm… a pretty boozy evening! Haha

I can’t remember exactly what happened but I do remember an amazing dinner and laughing a lot!

See you both soon in Vietnam, not long now – woohoo!

Back to bed 12. Eddies parents, Saturday 29th

The next morning (ouch my head!) we headed on back to Eddies parents house – first picking up his brother Michael who was back from London for work for the weekend and then picking up my parents who had flown up to see us before we set off.

We set off back to the house and Robert, Karina and crew we already there – all the Oldham gang were together at last! There was a huge feast that followed and some great conversations. I think the most fun was actually playing with the Walkie-talkies in the garden with Eddies nephew (handle: awesome penguin), Eddies niece (handle: creep girl), Eddie (handle: Kirribilli Hotdog) and me (handle: lightening flash). The afternoon went so quickly, always a sign of how much fun it was!

That evening we went to the pagan Beltane festival with my parents, then came home and passed out – what a day!

Beltane festival, Edinburgh

The next day we took mum and dad around Scotland and saw the battlefields of Bannockburn and the canal wheel at Falkirk, not to mention more amazing fish and chips!

Road trip!

We took my folks back to the airport in the evening and headed back to the house. Cathy and John prepared us a lovely dinner, then I lost quite convincingly at a game of scrabble – Eddie was the clear victor (boo!)

Well, it really was an action packed month, we tried to just include snippets and highlights but there were so many!

So now off to Asia we go where our next adventure begins – up, up and away!

All packed 🙂