I surveyed the living room before I headed to bed. It was untidy and I hadn’t the energy to gather up. There were dinosaurs scattered under the kitchen table, indicating that my grandson Ricky was about.

We’d been assaulted by the vomiting bug and cast in turn to isolation quarters in the house. We learned a lot during the pandemic about managing nasty viruses and still we get caught.

It’s that time of year when there is urgency about doing nice things before calving starts. Diarmuid had surgery before Christmas and that curtailed our travels while he recovered. Tim came across an advertisement for Dinos Alive in Dublin. He thought of Ricky and planned a day excursion to Dublin for us. Diarmuid also jumped at the chance of a trip. We’d have our dinner somewhere nice on the way back too.

The trip to Dublin

Tim went to west Cork for Ricky who was wildly excited to be going to Dublin and sleeping over for two nights. The trip up was uneventful.

Ricky regularly asked, “are we in Dublin yet?” Tim did the counties we were travelling through and spotted different makes of trucks to distract him. I slept most of the way. I wondered why I was so tired?

The exhibition was billed as being suitable for all ages. Julie, Ricky’s mum, was a little concerned that Ricky might get scared. He was holding both Tim and my hands as we entered. Once through the curtained entrance, he let go our hands, identifying the dinosaurs with ease. Diarmuid scares easily. He too was relaxed.

Unfortunately, it was really obvious that the dinosaurs were made of a plastic or rubber type substance. They were all stationary. There were sounds and roars that were bland and unconvincing. A few Woodside cows canned would have made a far better impression. The whole thing was underwhelming. We were actually through it in less than thirty minutes.

We had just arrived at the shop when I knew I had to make a quick getaway. Tim managed to add another thirty minutes to the experience, exploring the shop and some fossils in sand that could be brushed off.

“Suitable for all ages” should be amended in my opinion to “suitable for young children”. Ricky (5) certainly enjoyed Dinos Alive but he got more enjoyment out of the plastic bucket of dinosaurs he brought home.

An awful journey home

My journey home was horrendous, involving many stops. We assumed that I’d contracted the winter vomiting bug. As it’s an airborne virus, we also knew that the rest of the passengers were doomed. By morning, I was recovering.

Alas, Diarmuid and Tim had been infected and suffering. Ricky remained well. As the incubation period is up to 48 hours, we couldn’t send him home to give the virus to his parents. Ricky was delighted with another sleepover.

I presume that I picked up the virus when I attended for a blood test two days before the trip. I always wear a mask and that morning I forgot it. So, it’s back to basics, washing hands often, using hand sanitiser and wearing a mask when you think there is risk involved. It’s an awful illness and I feel guilty for making others sick.

Luckily, Ricky escaped getting the virus. He had the window open a lot on the way home. Did that just blow away the virus from him?

In house, we managed to keep him safe with the usual precautions. Maybe he was immune due to him contracting it before. We have no memory of him having it.

If you have a suspicion that norovirus or the winter vomiting bug is in the community, stay at home. If you must go out, take precautions.