I sort of feel like I have never quite got under the skin of Galway - a little bit like a first year Hogwarts student, it feels like I know my way around but haven't quite unleashed all of the magic! I came away from this visit feeling the same - I felt some of the magic of the city but there is more to come. For me that makes it a fairly special place - to enjoy a place but left wanting more!

We all really enjoyed our few days in Galway. One of the simple pleasures was the ability to get out and about with the buggy and walk. Back in London I walk everywhere as the tube and a double buggy aren't very compatible and waiting for a bus that has enough buggy space for us is a lottery, and so I walk a lot. We had used the car every day I think so it was lovely to leave it parked in the car park for a few days and head out. It was also great to be in a city - we had absolutely loved the coastal places we had stayed and seen so far but it's hard to beat the buzz of a city!

On Sunday morning, we joined many other Galway folk in walking the prom up to the Blackrock diving boards. Despite it being August, it was a blowy blustery day, and not one bit warm. I loved it - the Atlantic air was bracing, and I would happily have walked and walked. One look at Ann made me realise that the feeling might not be mutual!! Ann had her silk scarf wrapped several times around her neck, ears and face; her coat buckled up and her arms wrapped around herself to keep warm. She thought I was nutty for enjoying the wind whipping our faces...so she was flabbergasted when she saw the swimmers IN THE SEA at Blackrock!! There was probable 30-40 swimmers in that Sunday morning - it's a well known spot for sea swimming and has changing facilities and lifeguards on duty. They were brave souls - I enjoy a good walk along the shore and if I get the chance, it's hard to beat a swim in the tide, but I wouldn't have been near the water that morning!!

The afternoon activities were much more up Ann's street. I hung back at the flat whilst Betsy and Patrick napped, and Ed and Ann went for a nosey around the city centre. Galway is such a vibrant and interesting city, with lots of cobbled streets and independent shops to lose yourself in, and lose Ann we nearly did! Ed introduced her to Charlie Byrne's bookshop - a haven for any reader, rooms upon rooms, floor after floor of books - they are rammed in everywhere. The shelves are wonky and overladen with books. Ed thought his mum might never leave!!

I walked in to meet them in the late afternoon. As I arrived at The Spanish Arch, something prompted me to text my mum asking where a friend of my parents now worked as she had moved back to Galway several years ago. Mum's reply came back

It's near The Spanish Arch, I'll look the name up.

How funny, I started to type, I'm standing at the arch right now. But as I typed, another message came through

It's called Ard Bia.

I looked up. I was standing outside it!!

My parents used to meet friends at a pub on the outskirts of Nuneaton called The Red Gate. Amelia ran the pub and over the years, mum and dad became good friends with Amelia.

I peered in wondering if I would even recognise Amelia and assuming she wouldn't have a clue who I was!! And there she was - and she did know who I was!! We had a great chat and agreed to pop in for brunch the next day. I'm glad we did. Brunch was absolutely delicious, and Ard Bia is such a great venue. A tiny little stone building that is part of the fabric of Galway, looking out on the swans on the river Corrib. Amelia and her staff couldn't have been more welcoming, and it was lovely to catch up with Amelia. I would say that it sums up the Irish trait of hospitality in that, despite running a busy restaurant, Amelia sat down with us during their lunch trade, gave us time, chatted and cuddled the kids, and insisted we left with a complimentary loaf of their bread and homemade jam after Ann mentioned how much she had enjoyed it.

The afternoon was spend moseying around a couple of villages just outside Galway, Spiddal and Barna, and we dropped in on the twelve hotel for a drink (very swish, very pricey!) Then we headed back to the flat for a final night. A tasty dinner, a glass of wine, good conversation and a good film - hard to beat!

Thank you Galway - we will be back!