Thunder, wind and rain last night as a front passed through the area. Didn't disturb me but daughter Susan says her cats were anxious. Today's supposed to feature rain with a few sun-breaks.
We'll lunch today with Carolyn & Phil of the Inroads Ireland tour firm we've used thrice to learn about Ireland. They moved their winter quarters here from Madison to get out of the cold.
We loafed the morning away since it was dismal, then went to lunch at Hi-Life on Russell at Market in Ballard. Phil & Carolyn joined us and after hugs all around we reminisced on last year's trip. Lots of laughter and happiness. We then talked our way through the subjects of what do you do at this time of year planning the tours, how did you settle on Seattle, etc.
After we ate (good chicken pot pie for me) I started the enquiry of "what have you done to the Go South tour" since that's the first we took with them, in 2013. They outlined the changes and what stayed the same. One addition is a stop at the Kilbeggan distillery, where D & I stopped on our own last year. Family legend says some of D's relatives worked there. We thought so much of what they'd kept and what is new that we asked if there were any openings. The next we knew, we'd signed up AND PAID FOR the tour leaving on 23 July from Dublin. That's the most expensive lunch we've ever done, but it will result in another lovely trip.
We laughed some more, told more stories, and finally left with a sense on the part of both couples of "I can't believe that just happened".
We returned to Susan's. The day is bleak and yucky, so we're sitting around staying warm. Even the cats are off in corners curled up.
We had coffee and used the cats as lap-warmers. I went down the block for a beer. When I returned Susan drove us over to Stone Ave and found a parking place. We walked to the Blue Star diner ("EggsActly As You Like It").
Although they serve all the usual entrees and salads, a major thrust of the place is breakfast-whenever. We waited for Bryant to arrive by bus, then ordered.
Both Susan & I had Norwegian plattekakes, eggs, and sausage. I ordered Pinot Noir with mine because I'd never had that combination in my life. We chatted and babbled for a time until the food came to table.
It was very good. I ate everything but the plate. And we kept chatting throughout.
Finally we had to give up and leave. Susan drove back home over the big hill. D & I left them so they could have an evening, and went off to 806d by ourselves. A good day.
