We strolled along the esplanade with restaurants, bars and cafés on one side and the sun-kissed black strand on the other. The sun struck the water, sending diamonds of light in all directions. No tinsel or baubles could hold a candle to the natural beauty of Mother Nature.

Yet, Christmas sparkle didn’t seem right in Tenerife. My Christmas is a warm fire and my special people, my family and my friends. And yet that is where we found ourselves in mid-December. David, my son-in-law had booked a break after a hard year’s work to Tenerife. He booked us in too, on the off-chance that I’d have my radiotherapy finished and be able to travel.

Luck was in our court and we were all boarding the plane. Ricky was so excited. He was travelling with his parents, grandparents and Uncle Diarmuid, who is so much fun. Furthermore, his other granny Elizabeth and Walter were there already.

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We boarded the plane separately. About halfway through the flight, Ricky wanted a trip to the toilet as little boys do. I think he also wanted to find us. He did, his little arms wrapped around my neck and my heart did a somersault.

Our next rendezvous was at the airport. He came through that door wheeling his bag, sunhat atop his head like a veteran traveller.

At the hotel, Ricky wanted to experience everything at once – the pool, slides, climbing area and breakfast. Over the days, his urgency decreased and he reluctantly fell into the pace of the adults. He also found his favourite restaurant – a certain fast food chain.

Back to our stroll and summer-like beauty, we were getting thirsty and Waxy O’Shea’s beckoned. We settled in, ordering a round of drinks. We had heard there was nice folk music there that evening. The sun was starting to set and the red sky shot beautiful colours across the bay.

I nodded to Tim to look around at the sunset. “Ah, the colours are much better at home,” he quipped. They probably are.

Tim was more interested in Katie McCabe scoring goals for Arsenal on the TV and the frosted glass in his hand. We agreed that the chilled glass made a huge difference to the coolness of the drinks. As the singer blasted out – “Have you ever seen the rain falling down on a sunny day,” – we knew that rain was falling in buckets at home as we read about storm Bram’s high winds and rain.

We settled in, ordering a round of drinks. We had heard there was nice folk music there that evening. The sun was starting to set and the red sky shot beautiful colours across the bay

At home, Colm and his team were drying off the last of the cows. There is plenty to do in preparation for spring. The construction of a slurry tank is also underway to future-proof the business in terms of compliance. We got a video from Colm of the slats being put in place on the slurry tank. A building project like that requires farmer supervision to make sure nothing goes wrong. It was strange to be away and a sure sign of the changing of the guard.

Action fist pumps

Sunset or otherwise, we were a bit distracted and missed Diarmuid escaping onto the floor to dance. The entertainer had been asking the audience what songs they’d like to hear and he had volunteered Westlife. After Uptown Girl, we pulled him back. But then for the next number a lot of people got up to dance.

Had Diarmuid broken the ice? It was time to go meet the others and as we left, a man put out his hand in a fist pump to Diarmuid. Immediately, hands shot out all around Diarmuid as we left. It was a lovely moment.

The following day, the news came through that the nitrates derogation has been extended for three more years.

Another lovely moment.