We hadn't seen Kevin and Michelle for nearly two years and Aoife was just ten months old when they emigrated, so it was an exciting moment when we arrived at their house in Minyama. We were met at the door by Aoife, who without a trace of shyness welcomed us and went to fetch Kevin - It was immediately like arriving home and it felt like we had never been apart. Kevin and Michelle had settled comfortably into the Australian lifestyle with a great house complete with swimming pool and barbeque area. Up until now the longest we had stayed in one place was three days and this would be two weeks - A long term home by our standards.

Aoife proved to be constant entertainment, waking us up every morning about 6:30 am to play, initially knocking on the door but after a few days just coming straight into the room and jumping on the bed. On one occasion when we were walking in town, Aoife stopped and stared at a busker, he stopped playing and Aoife asked his name

"Dylan" he replied

"My name is Aoife" she responded "It's an Irish name, what are you doing?"

"Playing a few tunes that I hope the people will like" he answered

"Well, good luck with that - It was nice meeting you - Bye"

The girl is two!

The two weeks flew by, the weather was sunny every day and Kev and Michelle would usually take us to a beach, the rainforest or the mountain areas where we walked or swam or just had the craic. The first weekend we spent in a resort called Hervey Bay with Kevin, Michelle and Aoife along with Michelle's sister Freda and her husband Peter - a holiday within a holiday, within a holiday ???

Some days we would just chill by the pool and drink beer and have a barby - The Aussies know about chilling out.

On the second Sunday H&D actually joined the crew on a racing yacht and competed in a race - Four hours sailing, hanging out the side of the yacht, which was at a 45 degree angle (we were basically counterweight) was an exhilarating experience and we came third (a cock-up with putting out the spinnaker cost us the race!)

We thoroughly enjoyed every minute we spent in Minyama, Mooloolaba and Maroochydore (even the place names make you smile) Kevin, Michelle were brilliant hosts but all too soon our time with them and Aoife came to an end and it was with a tearful farewell at Brisbane airport that we parted.