|
Driving south I reflected on the fact
that I was heading to my second Gathering and, as a member of the
Executive Committee people would now be coming to me with questions
and requests for help. How quickly things had changed since my
first gathering two years earlier. When I reached
the town of Gorey I took a small detour to see some of the scenery
and was pleasantly surprised to find a small cottage having its
thatched roof redone before the onset of winter. Although still
numerous in many parts of Ireland they are increasingly difficult
to find along the primary routes of the east coast so I stopped to
stretch my legs and take a photograph. I arrived in Ferns around midday and parked
opposite the Courtyard pub. Those of you who have attended
previous gatherings will remember this establishment well, as it is
the focal point for most of the activities. Inside I found a
number of the Committee huddled in the corner, among them the
terrible twins, James J. Kavanagh ("German Jim") and
James F. Cavanaugh ("Jungle Jim"). The warm rapport that
had been established face to face at the gathering in 2000 and
built on via email was evident and I was immediately at ease in
their company. We spend the next hour or two going over the
arrangements and getting to know the new members of the Committee.
Later in the afternoon I decided it was time to
check-in to the accommodation that would serve as my home for the
weekend and headed to Clone House, a guesthouse five minutes
outside of town. Before I had even parked the car in the farmyard,
the proprietor, Mrs. Betty Breen was striding forward
enthusiastically to greet me. In addition to myself Betty was also
responsible for housing German Jim, Jungle Jim and his
daughter Melissa. Betty did a fine job; every morning she ensured
that we were all well fed on a hearty breakfast and saw to it that
Melissa had the four gallons of coffee she required to start the
day. For some reason German Jim proved to be her favourite as a
chair at the head of the breakfast table was always reserved in
his honour. I had to content myself with a compliment on one of my
jumpers. Betty was wonderful and I have no hesitation in
recommending her establishment to anyone considering a stay around Ferns area.
|
|
