On a grey, wet January Sunday, it's nice to cast my thoughts back to a sunny Monday in July when the Shans decided at the last minute to pop along to Ballybunion (our nearest beach) on a day trip.

Dante and Gaia size up the waves in the first photo -- this was about as close as they went to it!!! (Even on the sunniest of days in Ireland, the Atlantic ocean is still several degrees below where we'd like -- or accept -- it to be!!)

The Shans pose for a selfie in the second snap. Is Dante about to pick his nose or is he giving the camera the middle finger?!? YOU decide!!!

Jellyfish had been washed ashore, much to Dante's fascinated delight in the third photo.

And although Gaia won't go anywhere near the sea, with its chilly water and choppy waves, she does enjoy paddling in the rock pools which form next to the cliffs after the tide has been in.