As usual, the Irish summer has been more like what would be called autumn in most countries -- very grey, very wet, not overly cold but far from hot. But we've had the occasional sunny day here and there, and the Shans have tried to make the most of the rare break in the clouds.

One such day was the final Sunday in May, when we hit for our nearest beach, in Ballybunion, an hour's drive from where we live. We spent a lovely morning there, soaking up some rays and splashing in rock pools.

Dante was playing up at one point, and as you can see from the first photo, Gaia decided to "sort him out" and buried him up to the neck -- that slowed him down for sure -- well, for all of 5 seconds!!

The second photo is a selfie that Mrs Shan took of the pair of us. Even though I'm the one who has "ex-Vampire Prince" stamped in his passport, I think Mrs Shan might be the one with vampire blood, as she's aging so much more slowly than I am, and much more elegantly too -- I mean, just look at her hair compared with mine!!!

Dante heard they're making a new "Flash" movie, and decided to audition for it -- judging by the third photo, I'd say he's a shoo-in!

In the fourth, Gaia tests the waters in one of those aforementioned rock pools -- careful as you go, my girl -- that water is COLD!!!

There was a NEW Darren Shan book released at the start of July!!! You can find out all about it here: https://darrenshan.com/news/shanville-monthly