Report: Fun Is Being Had In Ireland

It sounds as if the women are having a good time in Ireland.

C arrived there with no trouble and spent the first couple days in what sounds (and looks, on Skype) to be a very nice guest house on campus at Limerick. She and E did some touring around there. Then, on Saturday, Cecilia arrived. After a brief rest, they drove off on a weekend tour (with E, to help navigate).

They've already been to The Burren, the Cliffs of Moher and Blarney. Tomorrow, E heads back to school while C and her sister go to Waterford.

Meanwhile, here in Chantilly things have been very restful.

M took me out to dinner Friday night to celebrate my 51st. There's a new brew pub/restaurant in Chantilly that I like a lot. We had a good time. Yesterday I did errands and chores and carved a pumpkin.

Today, I did a few more errands and chores and had lunch at the Macaroni Grill bar so that I could see M. He took good care of me.

Also watched the Liverpool-Man U match (sorry, Ed) and got in a run and four walks (two each with each dog). So, all in all, a very good birthday!

Travels

C is heading to Ireland on Tuesday for a 10-day vacation to see E and to travel the country with her sister Cecilia. Should be lots of fun for all, I trust.

I'll man the fort back here, with some help from M and from neighbor Joe (age 12) who will pop in to check on the dogs when I'm at work.

M, by the way, reports having an upset stomach. Let's hope it's not the H1N1.

C and I went to W. Va. yesterday and woke up today, as you can see from the photo, to our first snow of the season. Covered over the nice colors of the leaves.

Don't know whether you all had a chance to see it, but David Rohde of The New York Times kicked off a five-part series on his time held captive with the Taliban -- and in the story describes Tahir's bravery (saying that Tahir was like a lion at one point). Very good story. More to come as the week goes on, I trust.

Amazing Race, Amazing Fungi, Amazing Colors

No exciting fungi to report about from down here in Va. Amazing photos from Ohio, I must say.

Beautiful weekend. C and I went to W. Va. early yesterday morning. In the afternoon, we hiked through the forest on the top of our mountain and made it to the fire road that runs along the ridge about a mile or so from our little development. The dogs really enjoyed it.

We walked along the fire road for a bit. Were joined at one point by a very friendly Lab who had gotten well ahead of his owner. He obediently went back when whistled.

All told, we were out hiking for 90 minutes or so. Quite fun and quite beautiful -- the leaves are about 75 % changed, I would guess. Red and yellow dominate again this year.

Did a little work around "the cabin" today and then returned to Va. Looking forward to week 2 of The Amazing Race and then episode 2 of this season's Dexter.

E checked in via Skype. Next weekend she and some other girls are flying to London. They'll spend a day or two there, then take the train through the Chunnel to Paris for a day or two. Then back to London for a couple days before flying back to Limerick. Schools are closed for a few days in Ireland next week, she says.