!!!

Lorcan at 2 months

Refreshment on the boardwalk... Everything tastes good at the beach!

Malachy doing 'bay watch'

Liam in the swim

Sam

Liam and Sam hanging out at the beach at the end of June

Malachy at the airport looking sad to go

bye bye Bilbao

Just before lunch, the guys got peckish and I caught them red-handed doing this!!!

tres amigos

... and a blurry-ish one with a smile.

Liam got a close-up of Aritz's electric blue eyes

Lorcan giving David one of those knowing looks!

Eva nursing her little lad.

But we couldn't leave without seeing this little guy!!! Aritz! David and Eva drove out to Gallarta from La Cavada to meet Lorcan and to introduce us to their firstborn blue-eyed treasure, Aritz. The three of them make a great family!

Lola was drinking alcohol-free beer. Guess why? YES!!! Javi and Lola are expecting!!! Ram�n is going to be a big brother... some time in December! Another member of this new generation... I wonder if it'll be a girl?! In this gang, none of us have girls: Marije has 3 boys, we have 3, Javi has 1, Mauri has 1, Marta has 1... but no-one has a girl!!! Will Lola be the first to break the chain?!

Marije and Carmen taught Liam the names of all the different pastries in our after dinner selection... He went straight for the "Carolina" (pastry base and soft meringue top) -also his dad's favourite!

I wasn't the only one who was trigger happy at the party!

Marta proudly presenting one of her delicious homemade desserts!

Mauri and Carmen: old habits die hard.

Marije loves my three lads and they love her. But if the truth were known, she secrety wants to steal Malachy away and keep him!!!

Marije has three boys, just like me... only hers are 18, 16 and 12. This is Miguel, her youngest. He took great care of Liam and Malachy at the party and was in charge of the kiddies' table at supper and the entertainment!

Marta and her son Jon. Who said Jon could grow up that fast? I met this guy when he was a little squirt not much older than Liam is now. And suddenly he's getting ready to try out for the fire brigade!!!

Mauri, Carmen and Marta chatting out on the balcony

Anabel, who is a professional storyteller, instantly had Liam and Malachy enthralled with her wise games and tall tales. Liam was so engrossed...

On our last night we were delighted to meet up with our gang of friends from Jaime's hometown of Algorta. Marije hosted a lovely dinner party and we were all there -kids and all!

It was world cup time and Fernando was determined not to miss a match. Liam couldn't have cared less about the games but he did take this swirly green photo...!

and Malachy took a serious liking to Nacho's swivelling leather chair....!

Back in Gallarta, Tio Nacho and Tio Fernando played with Lorcan and the lads

Malachy saying a fond farewell to Amaia!

Maria about to have a snooze on the porch...

Dad swapping: Ekain gets a go with Jaime

Liam on Jesus's stilts

Lorcan was a big hit with Amaia

Ekain giving Liam some lessons in floating!

Jaime, Maria and Pintxo the dog

Ekain. A real kindred spirit of Liam's. Although we've known Pili and Jesus through Luis and Saioa for a long time, our kids had never met till this visit. Ekain and Liam hit it off straight away, seemed to be on the same wavelength and were inseparable for the entire day.

Then it was the grown-ups turn. We had a lovely day. Maria came too. Pili and Jesus have got a great place... with lovely mountain views. Jesus renovated the whole place himself and the results are fabulous.

... and there was melon for dessert!

the kids tucked in first...

We also went to Irun (on the border with France) to visit Pili, Jesus, Ekain and Amaia at their new caserio...

Unaitxu

Fun at Unai's

I think I already mentioned Liam and Malachy's weakness for 'mosto', right? Well, this bar in Amorebieta had to be the best mosto joint possible as instead of one lonely olive in the mosto glass, the friendly barman served them at least ten in each glass!!!

We dropped in on Unai for a surprise visit...!

Liam's first self-portrait!

...

but we were well kitted out for the inclement weather

When we got to Amorebieta, it was still raining...