The Viking Splash

Some of you might remember, (from Facebook), that at the end of last month I went over to Dublin for a few days to look after my grand children.  My daughter and son-in-law were going to Belfast with friends and I jumped at the chance to help out.
The weather wasn't particularly good but I did manage to take Mollie and Ben into Dublin for the day, we met up with Dillon for lunch (he's working during the summer holidays) and then we went for a trip on The Viking Splash.

Mollie played her part as a Viking. Ben was very good at roaring like a Viking to frighten passersby!

Ha'penny Bridge (officially The Liffey Bridge)

                                                                  Daniel O'Connell

The river looks quite narrow here.

Just going down the ramp and onto the water!

I did take a very short video while we were on the water can't include that here but I did post it on Facebook (not really worth looking at)!

I had a fun time in Dublin every visit seems to pass so quickly. It was only a few days after I came home that Beccy brought Ben over here for a visit as Mollie had gone to Portugal with friends (wish I had friends with a villa!) and Dillon was continuing to work here.  I'll tell you what we did while they were here in my next post.

Happy Birthday to my Grandaughter. Mollie is Sweet Sixteen Today

Mount Usher Re-visted Part 2

Thought I would share a few of the river photos

If you click on the first photo you should be able to get a better view as a slide show.

Happy 14th Birthday Mollie

Happy Birthday to my granddaughter Mollie who is 14 today.
You might not be able to read what she is holding, but it's her present from her mum and dad which is a 'flying lesson'. She was delighted as she told me she didn't think she would get it! I had no idea you would be able to learn to fly before you are able to learn to drive. I clearly am behind the times!

This photo was snapped on Friday evening when Mollie and Beccy were ready to go out for dinner.

Mollie I hope you enjoy your birthday despite all the disruptions-the icecream cake your mum made looks fabulous. Love you lots Grandma x

Update on the 'ash cloud' I still don't know if I will be getting home today, so far the flight hasn't been cancelled but they are updating every hour so time will tell. Beccy is currently driving to the catch the ferry, so I wish her a safe journey.

Alton Towers 2009

Never having been to Alton Towers I was not quite sure what to expect. Once through the entrance and had passed a few shops this was my first view across the lake.
We walked past a pirate ship and saw a deadly shark swimming round and round maybe hoping for a casualty! The ducks weren't bothered they just went on feeding -bottoms up! There definitely more to Alton Towers than the rides, but I guess not too many people stop to appreciate the beauty.



If you need a rest the shade of a tree is just perfect We started off with a couple of gentle rides, the first a roller coaster followed by the river Rapids below..........and then the FlumeI did not drop into 'Oblivion' but Sam, Mollie and Beccy did as you can see from the official photo below.
....it is quite a drop into a black hole, Ben and I were quite happy sitting in the sun watching everyone drop by I coped much better in 'The Haunted House' Ben scored the most points, shooting the ghosts and ghouls with his laser gun. Guess who scored the least!Several of the rides broke down after we had been queuing for about 45 minutes which was disappointing and the Skyride Stations was closed due to a fire.

I do have a few more photos to show you but I'll leave those for another day.

Archives:
2008: Fun Monday-78 Show and Tell
2007: What's in a Name

Killiney Beach in July

On the last day of my recent trip to visit Beccy and the grandchildren we decided to take a walk on the beach. Even though there was quite a strong breeze it was sunny and warm. The beach was deserted, which is quite unusual, and I think it might have been because it getting towards lunch time. I took this little video of the beach and the family having some fun.

Ben decided on the games, and the boys v girls...the object was to try and get a big enough splash from the stones to get the opponents wet. His second game was a surfboard race with stones being the riders on the pieces of wood. This is good old fashioned fun using imagination and things found on the beach. Better still it cost nothing and was fun! I thought it was a most enjoyable way to spend my last morning with the family.
If you are wondering why I said 'ow' it was the shock of getting wet and if you are also wondering why my grandson was wearing a hat in summer it was to keep his hair straight!

I will be showing you some more pictures of my trip when I have time to process the photos.

Archives:
2008: Witty Wednesday-57 Speech Therapist and Visitor Update
2007: Fun Monday-26

Happy Birthday to a teenager

Where do the years go! Today my lovely grandaughter, Mollie, has become a teenager.

Happy Birthday Mollie. We hope you have a lovely day.

Lots of Love from
Grandma, Grandpa and Granny Betty xxx

Archives:
2008: Happy Birthday Mollie-12 today
2007: Happy Birthday Mollie-11 today

Meme 6th of 6th of 6th

Recently I've seen this photo Meme on several of the blogs that I read regularly. So when Pamela threw it open to all her readers, curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to see what picture I would find.

Photo meme 6th of 6th of 6th

HERE ARE THE RULES:

1.Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures.

2.Go to the 6th Folder, then pick the 6th picture in that folder.

3.Post that picture on your blog and the story that goes along with the picture.

4.Tag 6 other peoples that you know or don’t know to do the same thing and leave a comment on their blog or an e-mail letting them know you chose them.

Now following the rules this is what I found. I do believe I've shared this one before it was taken almost three years ago.

I'm glad it turned out to be some of my favourite people! There is no story but I took it while they were staying here during a summer visit.

I'm not tagging anyone but if you have a gap to fill it's a good one to do!

Archives:
2007: Witty Wednesday-35
2007: Food Cooperative cont.

Fun Monday # 96 and Shopping

I am totally disorientated and forgot that it should have been a Fun Monday post today! So this is a rapid addition to what I have already published below.

Sayre is our charming host, today, and she wants to know two things about our holiday:

What was the most touching, wonderful part of Christmas for you this year?
AND What was the craziest, stupidest, funniest part this year?

For me having the family here is always the best part of Christmas, and talking to Sam on skype as she can't be here. I have to say that this year I was in a panic because for some reason my turkey did not seem to cook properly and I thought my roast potatoes would never crisp up so it was an absolute relief when we at down to eat and everyone said it ws the best turkey we'd ever had. Mind you, I do recall we have said that in the past but not every year. I do think this year it was a melt in your mouth experience and the potatoes, cooked in goose fat, were perfect.

Normally I don't get surprised with my Christmas presents but this year the family managed it and I had absolutely no idea what I was getting. Beccy and family bought me a digital photo frame and Embee bought me a magnetic board to accommodate my overflow of fridge magnets, also I can use it for messages. So quite a novel idea, he even managed to get it into the house and hide it without me seeing it which has to be a first!!! (I will be showing a few photos tomorrow).

I don't have any funny, stupid or crazy things to tell you. Well my daughter would say I'm crazy because I buy too much food and it never all gets eating. I just want to make sure we don't run out of things (and it means I don't need to shop for at least another week!)

Sorry this is such a lame post...my New Year Resolution should be to do better but then I don't make *resolutions* because I would be setting myself up to fail!

Next week (5/1/09) Summit Musings will be hosting. Be sure to visit for the assignment.
*********************************
Yesterday, the family chose to do some shopping on their final day here in Bristol. We ventured to The Mall and it was not really particularly busy, which was a pleasant surprise.
Embee went off by himself and came back with a shirt he had seen before Christmas. It was in the sale and £10 cheaper so he was delighted.
Ben wanted to go and see Madagascar -Escape to Africa so Joules took him to the cinema.
Mollie decided to spend a lot of her money on some shoes. I'm not sure about the height of the heels but apparently all her friends wear them. Beccy tried them on and though they were very comfortable. My guess is she won't wear them very often but I might be proved wrong!Dillon sat and watched proceedings and did his best to dissuade her.My grand daughter can be a very determined young lady when she chooses...I wonder who she takes after!!! Her mother and her Auntie Sam I think!!!

How much did I spend?...the grand sum of 50 pence (reduced from £1.50..the last of the big spenders!!) on a new ice scraper for the car!

Today-we were up at 5:30am and Embee dropped them to Bristol International airport-I've just had a text to say they are safely back in Dublin and in the car heading home.
We had a great few days and it won't be long until I see them again because I have already booked a flight for February.

Archives:
2007: Home from the big smoke
2006: Friday 29th

I'm home from the Emerald Isle.

I had a lovely week visiting my daughter and my grandchildren. They are live wires and the week went by in a flash. However, it's not long until Christmas when they will be coming here so I have something to look forward to.

Archives:
2007: London Bridges
Archives:
2006: Making the most of my Bramleys

Fun Monday # 78 Show and Tell

The hostess with the mostest this week is Aoj and at first glance she gave us an easy assignment...

"Show me your favourite photograph and tell me why it's your favourite.

It can be one you've taken yourself or one someone else has taken, a snapshot or a more professional image. Is there a story behind it? Do you love it for the memories it gives or just because it's pleasing to the eye?

Show me and tell me!"......

howeverI have so many favourite photos that I couldn't choose so I've decided to show you some recent art work by some of my favourite people....

my oldest grandson drew the first two

Mollie painted the one below for her Auntie Sam's birthday.

....and here is a picture of the artists with their brother

I think we are going to enjoy a lot of lovely photos today thanks to Aoj so hop over to her place and see who's exhibiting.

Archives:
2007: What's in a name

Anyone for tennis!!

Recently my two youngest grandchildren (and their mother, Beccy) played in the Handicapped Championships at their tennis club. I won't explain the rules (probably because I'm not altogether clear about them myself). However, I do know that the better players start with minus points and the beginners with plus points...bet that's as clear as mud.
Ben who is a beginner only had to win two points to get a game. On the other hand Mollie had to win seven points but could have been playing against someone who only needed to win two.
Forget the scoring system the outcome was that Ben and his partner got to the finals and then were the runners up. He got a trophy and was thrilled...a couple of photos show him on court....I think he looks so cute in his oversize shorts!

Mollie won the girls singles and came runner up in the mixed with her partner, Aaron. So she ended up with two trophies. Mollie has a nice serving action as you can see from the photo below.
I'm very proud that they did so well and are really loving a game that I enjoyed so much until I was forced to stop playing a few years ago. I now have to content myself with watching it on TV or going to watch the family play when I am visiting.

Archives:
2007: Meme