D Family Adventure: January 2014

The family got a bunch of Ski Days over the holiday break before our departure to Ireland. The snow was thin and hard everyone still had fun.

First week in Ireland has been busy. House is great and we like the location. The problem is the area has a bunch of growth and the schools are bursting so there is limited room everywhere we looked. In the end Ella is in the closest school to us. With Hanna in Everett in what is actually two different schools down the road on the same campus. There is a Boys and Girls schools run by separate principles. So 3 kids, 3 schools technically (but two campus'). Also connected up with some of our friends as well. We are off to a good start.

Kids did swim team try outs, or a placement process, Thursday and will start in their groups in two weeks. Ella made the team and it's all skills and drills 3 days a week. Hanna gets advanced lessons. Everett want's nothing to do with swimming or anything organized. Anita found a Saturday chess club for the kids as well. Kids start school on Monday and Anita will get us going at the Tennis club.

I made two test rides to work. The canal, with boats and locks goes from the house to work as the crow flies. However long stretches are rocky rooted paths that are slow going. Took 50min. If I mix in more roads and less canal I cut the ride time down to 35 min. Also made a solo drive to the south city of Tramore for a surf today, waves were great. Water was cold. There was snow on the tops of the hills. Shared the break with 4 other locals and had a great time.