SUMMER 2022 will go down in history as the summer we all went stone mad. With three years of limited summers to make up for, we seized every day, lived in the moment and couldn't get enough of getting out and about.
I am exhausted, I can't wait for the mundane routine to kick in, and am more than ready to skip autumn and go straight into hibernation for the winter.
The idea of curling up in a ball on the couch for the next while, not moving or going out through the door in the evenings, is very appealing.
I was out on the road for Radio Ulster quite a bit over the last few months. For me, outside broadcasts are the lifeblood of the summer.
From Shane's Castle to Stendhal, to Southampton to the Ulster Fleadh in Dromore, joining The Big Walk in the Moy, and the Strangford Festival - nothing beats getting out of the studio, meeting people, hearing stories, and having the craic IRL (in real life).
The rest of the time was spent re-connecting with family and friends.
When it was time to recharge the batteries, we headed for the homes of Donegal for 10 days, and hit the weather jackpot. I was ready for the hills - hail, rain, snow or blow - but fabulous weather always leaves you with so many more options in Donegal.
In my last column, before we headed off, I joked about the teenagers cracking up if there was no wifi. There was no wifi drama, and we certainly had a holiday they will never forget.
Wanting to make the most of the glorious weather, on day one, I thought that a wee trip to one of the islands would be a brilliant experience for all of us. It was an experience alright...
We drove to Machaire Rabhartaigh pier, and I headed off to buy the tickets. While I was dazzling the young fella in the ferry office with my Gaeilge, regaling him with my memories of attending and teaching at Irish college in the area, the rest of them were tucking in to the picnic.
Someone had thought that eating before a 45-minute ferry trip would be a good idea. I looked out at the water - the clear blue skies made it seem calm and peaceful, so I thought, 'Well sure, what harm?'
We sat inside on the boat - a rookie mistake - and 20 minutes into the journey, as I saw the sweat breaking on two of the four foreheads in front of me, I knew exactly what harm the picnic would cause.
What ensued was like a scene from Night of the Living Dead. I will never dance the Waves of Tory again without remembering those 10 minutes which felt like an hour. We disembarked like zombies, and walked aimlessly on to the island for the first time. With a toddler in tow, we had no option but to head directly to the playground. Everyone else sat staring into the clear blue sky, wondering what the heck had just happened.
When we got over the fact that we had to make the return journey in order to get back to dry land and that we had two-and-a-half hours to spend on the island, all we could do was laugh about our first trip to Tory.
Lesson learned. We kept it simple for the rest of our stay, and it was just what the doctor ordered.
Well, except for my effort at kayaking. I had called in to see my cousin, had just taken a long shower, put on a bit of make-up for the first time in days.
I wasn't in the door 10 minutes until she had given me her wet suit and told me to get changed - I had to get in the water.
I didn't think about it, I just followed orders, and away I went. I played safe and stayed very close to shore. Inevitably, I fell out of the kayak and it capsized.
When things like this happen, I praise the powers that be that I don't have a family who take videos or photos very often.
Shout outs to Batch and The Strand in Falcarragh, Corcreggan Mill in Dunfanaghy and the Bakery and Caifé Kitty in Bunbeg for the fabulous food as Lynette the cook was also on holiday.
Go dtí an chéad uair eile... until next time, I'll be on the look out for box set and book recommendations, and wedding planning tips...
