WEEK ONE IS OFFICIALLY OVER

Nels and Lara, the final week one couple, flew home today. They will be dearly missed, not only because they were a great party couple, but they manned a car and took all manner of my friends on trips around Ireland, and were a steadying influence in Dublin. Nels also won the first annual Ballyhannon 5K with an impressive burst over the final kilometer.

Today was a family day, with a visit to Bunratty castle and Village, where one could step back to life in a medievil village (people lived with their animals, so life wasn't so great). Audrey and Sylvie got a kick out of it, but their highlight, as usual, was the candy store.

We hung out at Durty Nellie's afterwards for some pints and brown bread and smoked salmon, which beats work every day and twice on Sundays.

Tonight we are heading out for a nice dinner, and the wonderful Kathy Guis is babysitting for the girls (they love her from our trip to Kinsale yesterday).

After dinner, we are aiming for a low key castle party. We miss the first week craziness, but we're sleeping more now.