What hit the news in Germany (back in the Heimat!) was Angela Merkel’s Geburtstag. She turned the big six. Loads of stories about embarrassing moments and gifts, some with a bit of humour woven in. There was the journalist who started to sing a ‘Happy Birthday’ (but none of his colleagues present in the room joined in); there was the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, who had prepared a German soccer team shirt for her with the number ’60’ on it (but still only three, rather than the now proudly worn four stars on it – having recently won their fourth world championships); and there was a special present by the leader of the free world, the guarantor of our independence, democracy, and freedom, Mr Barak O’Bama: a mobile phone!

Patrick had a second day of 12-hour speak valve and took it exceptionally well. In fact, he seemed better off with, rather than without the speech valve. And although I had asked about giving hims some mashed potatoes , it was another ice-cream day today. To see him eating it is just incredible. It’s over 30 degrees here at the moment, so hot that we are really grateful to the nurse who has made sure that we have enough water to drink during the long days in Pádraig’s room.

Have to go, got up at 4am, falling asleep. Good night! Tomorrow will be another day! Will Angela wear this shirt, and will she happily use her new phone? Good night!