er.... what was I saying?

I feel like I just popped out for a litre of milk, but disappeared off on a two-month fugue. I have a hundred (bad) excuses for my disappearance... the interminable summer heat that literally sucked the life from me, the marathon training, and of course, work. But now the autumn is here and I have lots of things to show and tell! Starting with a summer summary. Tonight, June! Be prepared, it's a long post!

June started with a brief visit home to Donegal and Dublin, where we spent a lovely afternoon in Stoneybatter...

...had some great coffee in Lilliput, thanks to Sherlyn & Joe...

...and spent a wonderful evening drinking Guinness with friends.

Then...

...it was off to the Loire Valley, where we visited "our" vineyard (Domaine de la Chevalerie) to collect a case of wine (a fabulous wedding gift, thanks Dan!). There we met the very animated wine-maker, Stephanie, who told us she drinks no less than 4 glasses per day - one with breakfast, one with lunch and two with dinner!

Of course, we had to try some too!

Next, we made our way through Chinon...

...and Richelieu...

...to Bordeaux, for Redmond & Cora's Wedding!

Then it was on to visit Phil & David in Begur, on Spain's Costa Brava, where I spotted some beautiful bright quilts...

...but it was only a brief stop on the way to Barcelona, for a work conference and a little bit of obligatory sight-seeing.

Thankfully, after all that running around, I got to chill out for a few days down on the Costa del Sol, with my Dad, Bríd, and my super-cool, hilarious lil sis, Grace. I had a fantastic couple of days, doing nothing but hanging out and chatting, watching the world cup, and enjoying a glass (or three) of wine. It was just awesome.