(Almost) Ready to go...

With just a few LMI's to pack in, then will close up suitcase, and our journey to Ireland will begin.  The past few days following the "market" Saturday were filled with hosting some friends from our Michigan past, errands, talking to the "concrete guy" about the new pool deck for the gray lagoon, and generally stifling panic about being ready.  Hence the lack of making you read stuff until now.

So ready or not, we'll go up to Dulles, see how British Airways treats us, visit Heathrow, and then on to Shannon.  At which point my other major fear will materialize when we are given an auto that has a steering wheel where the passenger should be.  "Good luck sir!"  Then navigate up to Galway and hopefully not injure anybody getting to our hotel.

When that chapter closes, the fun will begin.  Revolving around the Oyster Festival and World Championship Oyster Opening Contest, all oiled with plenty of Guiness.  Since the winning shucker from our St. Mary's Oyster Festival represents North America, and I am his, um, chaperone, I have been invited to be the official "North American Observer", which means I get to be back stage to make sure no funny business goes on with the trays and judging.   Bad news is that I don't get to see the actual shucking, er, I mean opening, but I did see that two years ago so seeing the judging and so forth will be interesting.  There are galas associated with the festival with a Mardi Gras theme (go figure) so MFO found us some festive masks to wear (which are now carefully packed by the master - her).  Will try to capture some images to put here.

The festival will conclude Sunday morning with a brunch.  We're staying until the next Thursday with some touring planned (as well as unplanned) to see the Aran Islands, and the country north of Galway.  We're doing day tripping so won't get too far afield.  Have picked out some restaurants so foodies will be served.  None of which is the famous McDonagh's which is highly over rated food wise (tested on the 2010 trip).

As usual, blogging will be governed by time (are you on that damn computer again??!!), and internet access and the normal vagaries of technology..  For those of you social media wizards, I might give FaceBook a shot here and there...

Somewhere in Galway, a pub or bar is loading a keg of Guinness, that contains my first sip...so, until next time..

DFD