Around this time last year, Fionnuala’s well-to-do cousin lent us her beautiful mobile home in Marble Hill, and the same offer came this July.

She works in some finance job and her husband is a chemical engineer and they are both very humble by all accounts – Fionnuala says you wouldn’t know they have a penny – and because they are touring Asia this summer (Asia, like), we fluked another week’s holiday in Donegal.

But the packing nearly made it not worthwhile.

I don’t mind packing. It’s a good way of clearing out the cupboards. I get the children involved and it heightens the anticipation.

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First, I make a list. Nothing superfluous – everyone gets one medium-sized suitcase, so it’s exactly what will be worn, with a bit extra just in case of spillage.

When the bags are stacked in the car, all personnel can be........

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