I arrived!
The day began with a fresh fall of snow. The snow alone was not a problem, the thick layer of ice below it was. I spoke to the toyboy thinking he would have a change of heart. He was determined that the plans would go ahead. They did!
He arrived late lunchtime and soon we were off on our journey. The main roads were salted and he made light work of the driving. A good two hours into the journey… the mobile buzzed. Where were we? we informed the caller of our location. “The motorway ahead was closed due to an accident!” she said. “you should make a detour… find another route. Mum will tell you which way to go, she knows the countryside!
The light was fading, I made a decision….. we needed to head inland. Watching the sign posts more intently, I suggested we keep going for a while longer. Then it was time to take the exit from the motorway. I was working from a memory deep in my past. We needed to find a road that I had not followed in over 35 years. The townlands were from my childhood. I recognised the odd building and was happy that we had taken the right road.
Again, we cut across country before turning south. I was glad to be in the passenger seat and not driving. We eventually managed to reach our destination, it was bright warm and welcoming. Elly quickly ushered me in out of the cold. and I could smell the welcome aroma wafting from the oven. The toyboy unloaded the car and we were soon tucked up cosy and warm.
I believe the temperature is expected to drop to about -6°C -or 8°C tonight.
Thank you George for chauffering me safely to Dublin. Part two of the journey will take place on Thursday.
Nancy said,
December 23, 2009 at 12:42 am
Good for George for coming to take you to a lovely Christmas with him and Elly.
Sorry about the roads being bad but the important thing is that you made it safe and sound and you are now cozy and warm and waiting for a very Happy Christmas….. Enjoy!!!!!!
Lily said,
December 23, 2009 at 2:11 am
Hope you Elly and George have a lovely Christmas. Tell Elly she must have known the weather that was coming when she decided to knit TT a great scarf.
wisewebwoman said,
December 23, 2009 at 4:08 am
Oh I’m so glad to hear this, safe and sound in Dublin with your beloveds.
I don’t have to tell you to enjoy yourself now do I?
OK then, enjoy yourself!!
My daughter arrives here on Xmas Day for 10 days.
XO
WWW
Betty said,
December 23, 2009 at 4:54 am
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.
gaelikaa said,
December 23, 2009 at 7:27 am
I can’t believe the weather is so bad in Ireland. It shocks me. Glad you’re okay!
Hope you have a lovely Christmas….
Nick said,
December 23, 2009 at 8:55 am
Glad you got there safe and sound. There are still too many people taking unnecessary journeys in these perilous conditions, like those folk in the Cornish coach crash who had been on a trip to see some Christmas lights! An entirely preventable tragedy.
Helen McGinn said,
December 23, 2009 at 9:53 am
It was -8 here last night and we’re on the same weather; I hope you were nice and warm-I went to bed with three layers, just incase.
Have a safe trip through the cold and snow tomorrow and have a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Helen x
Maynard said,
December 23, 2009 at 11:08 am
I couldn’t bring up your post yesterday, but today i can. Have a great Christmas, and I’m blowing you a Christnas kiss!
Grannymar said,
December 23, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Nancy - We were very glad to come through the door safe and sound to a warm welcome.
Lily - Thank you. Today is a rest day for me and we move to Laoise tomorrow to Join all of George’s family for a couple of days. I hope TT enjoys the scarf. The scarf factory has been in full production these past few months. It all began as a distraction when severe RSI curtailed her computer use.
WWW - I will do my best.
You have a wonderful few weeks with your daughter.
Betty - Thank you, and may you enjoy your time with family.
Gaelikaa - We escaped the dreadful problems encountered in the south east of England. It is still very, very cold. Christmas will be different this year.
Nick - At one stage yesterday we followed a car for over 30 minutes, driving at between 15 and 20 miles per hour right on the white line! I am sure he, and we eventually discovered it was a he, was on his annual trip to a family dinner.
Helen it is still freezing here. I am about to go for a walk with Elly.
Maynard - Perhaps that was because the post went live close to midnight. I hope to chat to you later.
Rummuser said,
December 23, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I am relieved that you agreed to George driving you and you reached home safe.
bikehikebabe said,
December 23, 2009 at 5:10 pm
I was wondering who the mysterious Toyboy was & see that it’s George–whoever. I bet ye gurn a wee bit, now lassie?
bikehikebabe said,
December 23, 2009 at 5:28 pm
“Stop yer gurnin wee lassie or I’ll give ya somethin to gurn about!” “all she ever does is gurn, gurn, gurn!!” That’s Grannymar’s quote from another blog.
bikehikebabe said,
December 23, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Ye was gurnin ’cause the snow was a wee bit awful.
Grannymar said,
December 23, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Ramana - It was a long day, but we have all recovered and are ready for the next stage tomorrow.
BHB - George is my very caring son-in-law.
The quote above was by way of explanation of the word ‘gurn’. We did gurn about the snow but more about the cold.
Alice said,
December 24, 2009 at 1:47 am
weather appears to be dogging the whole world, at least the cold parts! Merry Christmas!
Grannymar said,
December 24, 2009 at 6:24 am
Alice,
Last week it was Global warming… this week it is Global FREEZING!!!!