A few months ago, Philip had sussed out what weekend we’d all be free to go to Bantry for a family get-together. As the weekend neared, people were realising that they might not be as free as they thought.

Tim wanted to attend the Nuffield conference so he’d be out on the Friday night. David, Julie’s husband, was also out for the Friday night.

Colm was leaving for Germany on a Dairygold trip so he, Elaine and Peter would skip Saturday night. Philip and Aileen, Julie, Diarmuid, Ricky and I managed the two nights. I felt guilty that they were under pressure trying to do the trip for me.

Diarmuid and I set off on Friday evening using Google Maps. We went via Crookstown and onward through picturesque countryside. Then we were climbing narrow roads. The scenery was beautiful, the landscape was golden and coppery where stretches of bracken had succumbed to winter temperatures. I noted that a slight slip of the wheel could take us over the edge. Diarmuid is usually a very laid back fellow. I could feel his tension and hear his muffled gasps as we pushed on.

Abruptly, we were over the top and on our descent into the Mealagh Valley to our Airbnb, Barnagowlane House. Presently, Julie and Ricky arrived. “That was a hairy drive, Mum,” said Julie. I agreed. It was time to make tea.

Exploring Future Forests

We ordered in pizzas from The Brick Oven. Colm and I collected them. We realised then that we should have driven directly to Bantry and then to Barnagowlane. Real black darkness had descended. The pizzas were scrumptious. There was lovely family chat and healthy debate. Ricky and Peter were playing together.

On Saturday morning after a big fry up, we set out for Future Forests. “It’s a garden centre, Mom. They have a coffee shop. You’ll love it,” quipped Philip. There was a massive array of lush, healthy and intriguing plants including several varieties of one of my favourite plants, the hellebores.

The lads wanted to purchase some trees. We had coffee and hot chocolate in the café. Julie said to me at one stage. “Mom, look over there. Are you proud of what you’ve achieved?” I was indeed. Philip and Colm are in their thirties and I tried for long years to get them involved in the garden. I paid them and bribed them through the years. It didn’t work. The love never came.

Philip and Aileen have a lovely garden and they also garden in the fields putting in trees and hedges. Colm has focused on trees and hedgerows too. He and Elaine are starting to develop their garden. I’m on board to help Julie and David. It was really gratifying for me to see the two couples deep in conversation about plants. It showed me that the experiences we give to our teenagers do pay dividends – eventually.

The decisions were made. I returned the following morning to pick up the purchases as I had Tim’s Hilux. The manager of Future Forests, John Albrow, was most helpful with advice and assistance, loading the purchases into my jeep and making the trees safe for the journey back.

Another grandchild

We enjoyed our trip to Bantry but were disappointed when we found O’Connor’s restaurant closed. It’s sad to see what appeared to be a successful thriving businesses closing their doors. There are lots of restaurants in Bantry but many are not wheelchair accessible for Julie.

We have to choose with care. Next time we take off will probably be after the spring and after the birth of my third grandchild. Philip and Aileen are expecting at the end of January. What a wonderful way to start the new year.