A SOGGY START

I cannot start our adventures in Ireland without giving a huge compliment to Aer Lingus and their staff who got us here……..first time flying this airline for me, and it was a winner. Almost new Airbus jet…….nicely equipped, and everything was handled perfectly………the lead flight attendant was precious……..if velvet had a sound, it would be her voice……..almost asked her to read the safety script over again…….almost……and the accent…..it wasn’t long before I wis stertin’ to tok fuenny meself! Arrival on time 5:45am……whaaaaaaat. Now to find something to do all day.

True to form, Ireland was at its best for our arrival. Overcast, intermittent rain (heavy at times), and temps somewhere around 9. We picked up the rental car, a Dacia “Jogger” (a name that has never been associated with me in any way), and surprisingly, we managed to fit in 3 golf travel bags, 3 small suitcases, and assorted backpacks and purses………oh, and the three of us…….then off to the Grand Hotel in Malahide, just north of Dublin………checked in and left the luggage, but no room until 3pm. We decided to jump on the train to downtown Dublin at the local station and kill the day seeing the sights. It was busy in town, with tons of tourists from all over the place………nobody was enjoying the rain, and when it started getting heavy we decided, like many others, to duck into a pub, have a Guinness, and wait it out…………it turned out to be a 2 beer and an order of fries wait, then it was back out into the drizzle for our walk back to Connolly Station.

Looking at the train schedule I saw that the train back to Malahide wasn’t for another hour, but there was one going to Howth in about 15 minutes. I suggested……..ok I demanded……..that we get on that train because Howth was clearly on the way to Malahide, and where else would the train go if it didn’t continue alone the track to our station. Seemed logical to me, but after conferring with some locals on the train, it appeared we might be spending the night in Howth. Well, that’s what taxis are for……..15 minute ride from Howth and we were back at the hotel. We all regretted leaving our rain gear in the golf bags before heading to town, because it sure would have come in handy. I of course was wearing the rain friendly sweater which gladly accepted every drop and weighed about 50lbs by the time I got home, and Jutta and Sibylle were in their puffy down coats which were pretty soaked and not so puffy anymore.

Dried up, spruced up, and ready to go, we headed out for dinner. Holy crap, Malahide comes alive. People everywhere, restaurants and bars packed, but we found a good spot on main street, Duffy’s, and we were back at the Guinness once more. Great pub meal…….the freshest fish and chips ever………but we were all so bagged when done it was time to call it a day, hit the sack……..not sure if we will golf or tour tomorrow, but will be a game time decision.