We had just returned from our trip to Bunceanna and Carndonagh when I rang up John and Mary Friel to see if they would be around later in the evening. It was just after 6:00pm when I called. I spoke to Mary and she said that they all thought we would have been down on Monday. I must have implied that when I called them earlier in the week. I felt pretty bad about that. Mary explained that she and John had her son Damian’s football game to go to (socket to us Yanks) at 7:00 and could we come down now. I said “Sure we’ll be right down.” I told everyone what had just been planned (with out their input) and said, “Let’s go, we’re off to John Roxtown’s”. We zipped down the road to John and Mary’s and were greeted by Mary. as she welcomed us into her home she said that we didn’t need to ring but just drop in any time. I explained that it must be a cultural thing. We Yanks seem to need to plan things out. John Heelin was there along with John and Mary’s boy Damian and daughter Kelly. John was down in the potato field spraying the spuds to prevent blight. Damian went to Rita’s house across the road to let her know we were here. We had just found out yesterday that Rita’s house that is just behind John and Mary’s is NOT Rita’s home! Ann and I felt so foolish. The last time we were here we must have asked, “Who’s house is that?” and the answer was, “Rita’s”. We had assumed Rita lives there. Rita has a lovely home just across the street.

While waiting for Rita we began the lovely visit with John Heelin and Mary Friel.

Rita arrived a short while later as did John (Roxtown) Friel. They call John, John Roxtown to distinguish him from the other John Friels like his cousin John just up the road.

We had an absoultly wonderful visit. John Roxtown and his family went off to the football game just before 7:00 and we continued our visit with Aunt Rita and John Heekin. At one point dad was going to take a picture of John Heekin. We were then reminded how much Aunt Rita doesn’t like her picture taken. She left to have a smoke. We felt bad that she thought dad was going to snap a shot of her. When she returned she quipped to mom, “Where were you all with your cameras when I was young enough to have my picture taken.”

Mom, dad and Rita got on just great. We stayed until almost 10:00. We’ll plan on another visit with John and Mary at some point. We will also be planning a visit with John Heekin.

Sorry – no pictures with this post.