S202412 Ep21: THE JOY OF LONDON by Paul O'Mahony #DecPodPoMo Day 21/31

This was recorded on Monday 23rd December 2024

"It was good to go to London today, despite the fact that I had to get up at 4 o'clock in the morning.

Yes, Edel and I had to get up at 4 o'clock in the morning, drive out to Shannon Airport in order to catch a plane at 5.45.

Did I say yes?

Yes.

You had to be on the plane or ready to get on the plane at 5.15.

I got into London, had a cup of tea, cup of coffee in Stansted Airport and then carried on to some lovely restaurant for breakfast.

I had brioche bun with halloumi cheese, stritzy bacon and a fried egg and a bit of spinach.

I'm trying to remember if there was anything else there.

Anyway, it was fantastic.

It was lovely.

Absolutely lovely.

My son Ben and his daughter, who is now 2, I think she might be nearly 2, they came and met up with us and walked back.

And then there was a big family gathering later on.

There were my two sons, five grand- sisters and two sisters in-law, my grand-children, my ex-wife, my first wife, two boys' mother, her sister and I think that's all.

Anyway, it was just a lovely gathering.

Food at about midday, lots of chatting, Christmas presents for the kids, lots of Lego floating around all over the place and leave then as a quarter to three in order to travel back to Stansted and fly all the way home to Ireland and get back here into the house in Limerick.

I don't know what time, a quarter to nine or something and it's now nearly a quarter to midnight.

So I've been up a long time, but it was a joyous occasion, very pleased about it.

Also pleased that Louis, English setter Louis, stayed at home here in Limerick with my wife, Vidal's mother and caused no trouble whatsoever.

So overall, you can't complain.

I drank a very nice bottle of wine, which was a gift from my great friend, my best friend Roger Overall from the southeast of Spain, this wine.

I can't remember the name of it, but it was lovely and the whole bottle is finished.

I've been in very good form.

Listen to the Blair years, which is Alistair Campbell's diaries.

Listen to that from Audible.

Listen to a couple of podcast episodes as well.

Generally speaking, all went well and I want to celebrate that.

And I guess I better share this tomorrow.

Polo manis, sanctuary over now.