Reunion June 2008

Don't you just love reunions? A total bunch of misfits of all ages gather together to tell stories of their misspent youth, achievements and future dreams. Its all about showing oneself in the best light in the attempt that, when you leave, people will remember you fondly.

Or in my case its 'to hell with presenting the best image', as I dress warmly and comfortably for a trip to Donegal. The weather is one where, closing the curtains and curling up in front of an open fire with a book and a mug of hot coco, wins hands down against gales, rain and smiling for the umpteenth photo. I admit that stopping off at Marks and Spencer on the way down was perhaps not the wisest thing to do, especially when you are being pressurised to 'just grab something' (remember that ghastly yellow jumper?).

OK so I'm eccentric, but hey, at my age I need a hobby and what better than to laugh at the world as they try and emulate their neighbours. Perhaps to the casual inspection I look like an overweight gloomy cow, but trust me inside I am giggling away at anything that tickles my fancy.

But back to the reunion.
Due to June just being one of those months that is so bad you can only cry in dispare, we only managed to get down to the reunion for the tail end couple of days. I'm told everyone had a wonderful time.

Cousins day was nice. We all sat round listening to jokes, songs and stories. It was like the last page of a story, all cosy and yet a little sad as you know that these smiling faces surrounding you are never going to be in the same room again. Time waits for no man.

Saturday we said goodbye to a few of the family (Just an evening in your company? That's not enough time spent with you, grr). Then off we trotted to drive along narrow roads looking for a fish festival. It was a beautiful sunny day with blue sky, blue sea and secluded sandy beaches. After clinging to the edges of cliff hugging roads we ended up in a pub. No music, but there was an oyster opening competition. Guess who won! Ha not me, cousin Helen was suckered into opening 8 (approx) oysters in a timed competition. Two nurses against each other. Go Helen! If you had been fortunate to put your head around the corner you would have heard the polite encouragement of the Roulston clan as they screamed, clapped and laughed. It took a while but we got the locals to join in the encouragement. Once Helen had beaten the other girl we naturally screamed, clapped and encouraged the other nurse. At the end of the competition we learned that there was only a second between the top two girls with Helen coming first. Many congrats Helen. On a side note: Raw oysters and champagne might be nice, but raw oysters on their own are cold, salty and slimy. Give me the pearl any day.

Saturday afternoon it grew gray again as the sun vanished behind cloud. Feeling adventurous, we went for a drive along the coast to have a close up view of the waterfall we could see from the cottage. Following the road further on round, it took a turn away from the sea up a valley past mountain sheep. Being total nutters we carried on along this road after the tarmac ran out, following a bumpy trail....one of those ones where there is a mound in the center with mature grass growing....rather like a grass verge in the middle of the road. The road went up a steep sided hill and off into the distance marshland. Its an empty damp place, where bog Cotton flutters in the chill breeze, and swallows dance and shadow the car as they catch the bugs disturbed by our passage. I admit being unnerved when the electric poles we were following suddenly stopped, but a signpost at the end of the road turned us towards civilisation again. Off-course the sign post, being in Gaelic, could have been pointing the unwary traveler towards the edge of a cliff, but we took the chance any way.

Sunday we cleaned up, packed up and went home. As we went over the Glenshane Pass we left behind the remaining relatives, the dark grey rain and moved into warm sunshine.

Many thanks to Aunt Dot for managing the Herculean task of getting all her bothers in one place at the one time. It was nice to see everyone enjoying the get-together.

I think the next reunion should be in Australia although I am not sure how the brothers, sister, spouses and children are all going to fit into Bill & Naomi's playhouse.