sixtwentyone

Your country needs you

This was written by Faolán on 6th December 2012 at 10:00 am when he was 1 year, 1 month, 13 days old | Leave a Comment

Also on this day... DEFRA announced that there are now almost 300 confirmed cases of the deadly fungus, Chalara fraxinea, with the majority found in mature woodland sites.

Today is St. Nicholas Day. We all woke up this morning to some chocolates and sweets in our shoes outside our bedroom door.

St. Nicholas is said to be a bringer of gifts, hence the tradition, which seems to be more ‘European’ in nature, but seeing as mummy and daddy have both spent time in central and eastern Europe, they like to carry it on in this house – although, of course, it really is St.Nicholas
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Our Colours, Our Sounds

This was written by Faolán on 30th November 2012 at 11:00 pm when he was 1 year, 1 month, 7 days old | Leave a Comment

Also on this day... Israel said a vote to recognise the Palestinians as a non-member observer state at the United Nations is "negative political theatre" that will "hurt peace". 138 out of 193 UN member states voted in favour of the resolution.

An origami bird decorating a shop window in Carndonagh

My mummy has just spent the last few weeks voluntarily organising an arts project in Carndonagh called Our Colours, Our Sounds.

The project aimed to promote and celebrate cultural diversity in Carndonagh, whilst creating a colourful, vibrant town centre – by getting local artists to decorate shop windows.
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If the cap fits…

This was written by Faolán on 6th November 2012 at 4:30 pm when he was 1 year, 14 days, 10 hours old | Leave a Comment

Also on this day... USA goes to the polls, with President Barack Obama facing Republican nominee Mitt Romney, in a supposedly tight race. Obama won quite convincingly.

Today Darragh came home wearing a big woolly hat. I normally have to wear a hat when we go out – to keep my head warm. Sometimes they annoy me, but there was something about this one that felt comfortable, so I kept it on.
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Old boy meets young trees (or is it the other way round?)

This was written by Faolán on 4th November 2012 at 2:00 pm when he was 1 year, 12 days, 7 hours old | Leave a Comment

Also on this day... US presidential candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney headed into the final two days of campaigning with the outcome still in the balance.

Prehen Wood is a remnant of ancient woodland that once covered much of the county of Derry and, indeed, Ireland.

We headed out to take a look around it on a damp Autumn day. It was difficult to find as it’s hidden amongst housing – come on Woodland Trust, better signs please – but we eventually managed and, dressed in warm clothes, set off to investigate.
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I got the blues

This was written by Faolán on 1st November 2012 at 8:00 am when he was 1 year, 9 days, 1 hour old | Leave a Comment

Also on this day... Government code-breakers are working on deciphering a message that was found on the remains of a carrier pigeon that was discovered in a chimney, in Surrey, having been there for decades.

My daddy has long been a Manchester City supporter. Most of his life, in fact. Having enjoyed limited success in that time, he was obviously overjoyed to win the Premier League last season and the FA Cup the season before that (check out the link – heads to a video of Roberto Mancini in the last ten minutes or so of the season).
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My second Halloween

This was written by Faolán on 31st October 2012 at 9:00 pm when he was 1 year, 8 days, 14 hours old | Leave a Comment

Also on this day... US President Barack Obama visited the state of New Jersey, to survey the devastation two days after the massive storm, Sandy, made landfall nearby.

It’s Hallowe’en again. My second! This time I got dressed up by having a spider’s web painted on my cheek.

Kate has taken a liking to the characters from Monster High, especially Draculaura. She is, apparently, the 1,600-year old daughter of Count Dracula!
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One in two countries

This was written by Faolán on 23rd October 2012 at 6:21 am when he was 1 year old | Leave a Comment

Also on this day... Lance Armstrong should be made to repay his prize money from winning the Tour de France seven times, said the race's director, after Armstrong was stripped of those titles.

Happy birthday to me! I’m one today..!

I spent my birthday in two countries. Half in Spain and half in Ireland (and possibly above France, England and Wales) while flying to Belfast. We didn’t really get to celebrate properly, but made up for it the following day with a birthday party at home.
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¡Viva España!

This was written by Faolán on 18th October 2012 at 6:33 pm when he was 11 months, 25 days, 12 hours old | Leave a Comment

Also on this day... Lance Armstrong should be made to repay his prize money from winning the Tour de France seven times, said the race's director, after Armstrong was stripped of those titles.

We went on holiday! Mummy and daddy wanted to wait until I was a wee bit older, so this year we went on a pre-Halloween holiday to the south of Spain.

We stayed at Uncle David’s family apartment in Elviria, not far from Marbella.
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The Charles Macklin Festival

This was written by Faolán on 13th October 2012 at 9:00 am when he was 11 months, 20 days, 2 hours old | Leave a Comment

Also on this day... Los Angeles residents turned out to watch the US space shuttle Endeavour as it inched through the city on a giant trolley, bound for a museum.

The Wee Hall in Culdaff set up for an art exhibition

My mum is an artist – I’m sure I’ve mentioned that before! She also helped set up the Inishowen Rural Arts Network.

As part of the Charles Macklin Festival, Inishowen Rural Arts Network were asked if they’d organise an art exhibition in the Wee Hall, Culdaff.
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Indian summer for a day

This was written by Faolán on 20th September 2012 at 1:30 pm when he was 10 months, 28 days, 7 hours old | Leave a Comment

Also on this day... New mapping software packaged with Apple's new mobile operating system was heavily criticised by users, with some locations appearing in the wrong place!

A bit of late summer sunshine tempted us down to the beach today… a lovely one at Kinnagoe Bay on the east side of the Inishowen peninsular.

It was a beautiful day and, after the summer that never really happened, it was important to enjoy it while it lasted.
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