Ireland

As a result of much discussion and long planning (pretty much "Let's go to Ireland"/"Sounds like a good idea, let's do it"), Mark Shawyer, Daniel Roe and I made the most of the fact that Daniel wasn't returning to America over Easter and seized the opportunity to go to Ireland, where we had the services of our magnificent tour guide, Mark Wilson. On the first day, when we finally arrived in Belfast, after a pub lunch, I went to meet up with Carolyn while the rest took a walking tour of the city. Let the record show, though, that I suggested we went for coffee and it was Carolyn who then suggested cocktails... I'm not an alcoholic, honest! On the second day, we went to climb the Mourne mountains. However, we were horribly underprepared, so after an Ulster fry (or two in the case of Daniel!), Mark S went and got some ever-so-stylish vinyl raincoats. Thanks to the Northern Irish weather, they proved useful, in the ensuing rain, sun, hail, snow, rain and then sun again. On the third day, we went to the Giant's Causeway, which was absolutely beautiful in the glorious sunshine we had. Alas, the vast majority of the last day was given over to travelling, but at least we found time for a last pint of Guinness in a smokeless Dublin pub :o).