Grouse Thicket And winter came...

"They do grow up very quickly," Wraen made the most common and lame comment about children worldwide. But it is true. One moment they are little, wriggling babies that know nothing but eating, sleeping and pooping. The next thing you know they are banging doors and telling you that you do not understand anything! Then they go off to university and - wait - what's that? Suddenly you are a grandparent.

"How did the oldest turn out - I remember them as feisty toddlers," her memory of Liffey's children was very vague - Breccan had been a pleasant boy. His sisters and brother - not as social.