My Blog (Eugene Ward)

Mothering Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Lent. Traditionally, it was a day when children, mainly daughters, who had gone to work as domestic servants were given a day off to visit their mother and family. Centuries ago it was considered important for people to return to their home or 'mother' church once a year. So each year in the middle of Lent, everyone would visit their 'mother' church - the main church or cathedral of the area. Inevitably the return to the 'mother' church became an occasion for family reunions when children who were working away returned home. As the centuries passed the day evolved into the Mother's Day in the UK and Ireland that we know today Happy Mother's Day to all mothers. .

 Christmas was on a Thursday this year and we stayed in Peru. Here's how it panned out. CHRISTMAS EVE Licety waited in a queue for hours on Monday 22nd to get a frozen turkey and prepared it with the help of my mother-in-law Maria Amanda.  I did my bit, looking after it on the 24th. The kids got ready for Santa in their pyjamas. Liam's christmas pyjamas, bought for him in Ireland last year still fit. Emma needed new pyjamas this year. Here is Peru, people celebrate Christmas on the night of the 24th. Liam went to bed but Emma stayed up. And while we were eating turkey and partying inside, we had a visitor on the balcony. We just caught him leaving. CHRISTMAS DAY Christmas Day is more of a relaxed day in Peru than it is in Ireland, We had chocolate and panetón for breakfast, then spent the afternoon by the pool, and had turkey in the evening. 26TH-28TH DECEMBER On the 26th December we went to a hotel inChincha for three days, from Friday to Sunday.  There was a few is...

 January 1st - Dinner in the Fir Tress And pints with the cousins A frosty night in Strabane January 2nd, a snow day .And a visit from Fergal January 3rd. A trip to Strabane January 4th - Saying goodbye January 5th - A long flight Arrived close to midnight, Lima time .  January 9th - Liam receives his swimming medal, finally Saturday January 11th. One of many pool days We'll leave it there

A collection of photos of Christmas Day and Boxing Day in Ireland 1. Photos from Christmas Dinner   2 Photos from Christmas Day   3 Photos of Boxing Day A good time was had by all

Here was Christmas 2023 for us CHRISTMAS EVE Ready to go out for breakfast and meet Santa Meeting Santa Liam posting the letter to Santa Then time to get ready for the evening meal. The Turkey Forgot to take any dinner photos. Too hungry. Kids go to bed. CHRISTMAS DAY Watching mass from Strabane at 6.30am Panetton for breakfast Opening presents Typical  Irish Christmas lunch at Molly's Irish Bar Dinner in the evening, of which there are no photos. BOXING DAY Boxing Day means football.  Playing with toys 2024 is a leap year so 365 days to the next Christmas Day Christmas is as far away as ever now Hope you had a good Christmas