Mother Nature has spoken

and she gave us a big middle finger and threw a monsoon down on us. The wind is out of control, although the rain has subsided a bit. We were supposed to leave at 8 am and our front desk informed us that they will check on the weather after noon and the ferry out to the islands will make the call on whether it's they will go out. We are numbing our pain with shopping. It's not the best remedy, but it will work.

Yesterday's walk through Galway was so lovely. In each city we've been in, shopping districts are lined along pedestrian walkways and Galway is no exception. It's nice to not have to battle with cars when you've zig-zagging from store to store. Crossing the street is another issue all it's own. 5 out of 10 times, it's like crossing a death trap. To reward ourselves with a successful street-cross, we popped in to an old pub by Eyre Square that once was a shop and small bar. The bartender told us that the counter we were sitting at is an original part of the shop, and it was where ladies would purchase goods while the men drank in the pub (ladies were not permitted in pubs at one time). In 1927, the wall separating the two was torn down. That's all I remember. I tuned out because he gave us his laptop to research how to get to Belfast and I had work to do.

It's unfortunate that it's been raining most of the time here and we really haven't been able to see a lot of the city, although I have seen the inside of many pubs.

I miss Dublin now. I take back what I said earlier.

P.S. Kelly's Timberland's and my Air Force 1's have been severely assaulted by the weather here. We are pressing charges.