The Guerins left Ireland in 1846; now we're back to sort out some
unfinished business. Airservices Australia have kindly granted Leave
Without Pay for 2 years 9 months and the Irish Aviation Authority have
employed me as a controller based in Dublin for that period.

We
arrived on Friday the 13th (March 2009), started work the day before St
Paddys Day and moved into our new hom on April Fools Day; oh the luck
of the Irish. Everything has worked out perfectly: the camper and our
belongings have arrived (still waiting for someone to contact us about
rego: so we are driving around without plates!); a great home in a beaut
location (again walking distance to school and a restaurant strip);
Dylan and Macayle are settling into their new school very well and
Camilla is getting to know some of the mothers and feeling very much at
home.

The last days, weeks and months were hilarious; looking back at them' It was ridiculously busy but what did we expect


The Camper (in white) going to Ireland


. New rainwater tank with a couple of weeks to go; however
the painting was still being done and the builtins were done the day
before we flew out; the same day our tenants moved in (and better
tenants would be hard to find). Thanks to Paddo, I had a whole day off
after my last night shift and before we flew out: 28 hours with Etihad.
What a relief. Oh, and if you ever need to choose between Etihad and
anyone else just remember they tried to sting us $1600 excess baggage.

I
passed the simulator last week so maybe we will be staying. We started
with three but sadly only two of us got through. I can assure you it was
the most difficult things I have done in ATC in a while; especially if
you consider that one wrong move and I would be explaining to the kids
why we were going back home! The course was extremely good Only one
hurdle left: the helpful Dutch lady in charge of Medical has been so
busy working on my medical paperwork for the last seven weeks; well she
has been so busy anyway: so much so that it still hasn't been finalised.
Just a minor issue really.

The Irish are very friendly and
helpful (they have been voted most friendly travel destination in Europe
- we should fit in well; and worst dressed - I should fit in
well!)Every weekend we have gone exploring; GPS and Lonely Planet in
hand. The weather has been very kind since we arrived - yesterdays
report was strong gusts and some rain, sunny spells later, wind calm,
cloudy, showers, clearing, storms, hail; oh and that was before ten!


Garage Sale


Wilston for lease


Garage sale, thanks Suzanne


Tank to come, leaving in 3 weeks



9 days left, fill up that skip!


Dylan leaving Class 2A


Last days at Wilston State School


Macayle leaving Class 3B



Glasnevin school


On top of the world, Grange library playgroun


Along the River Boyne


Newgrange passage tomb, older than pyramids



Trim Castle, Mrs. Braveheart


Ruins in Trim


Grand Canal, Robertstown


Shannon Harbour



Frost at Shannon Harbour, our hirecar


Shannon Harbour canal


Lake near Corofin (where the Guerins began)


Clonmacnois medieval sight



Clonmacnois


Grand Canal aquaduct


Clonmacnois


Cliffs of Moher



At Bunratty Castle with the Kennedys


102 Walnut Rise


Soccer in our enormous backyard


Macayle on SKYPE



First camping; Dungarvin Irish Music festiv


Bayview campsite; the Gold Coast???


Dungarvan fair


Dungarvan fair