In case you missed it, Rollin and I are celebrating...

something in Dublin for St Patty's Day!  He's staying in the hostel pictured here. They had only 1 bed available 3 months ago, as did the one I'm in around the corner. 

We are all going towards Brit customs

On our way into London - our first stop before going on to Dublin - we had company on our flight. See photo. Nice. But then Brit customs. It seems that the Italians and the Brits have this "virus": "let's-make-it-hard-on-the-tourists".  So our flight landed in London on time exactly and we had 1 hour and 35 minutes to get from our arriving flight to Rollin's departing flight. He was - just barely - able to do it.  I could not get there in time to see him off. Long walks. First, BA226 told us that because we were just changing planes we did not need to fill out a UK customs form. Fortunately, I stopped at an info desk and we found out to the contrary. Next a moderately long line for checking our cards and passports. Next, another line to check our boarding passes. Next a line to run biometrics on our faces. Next security. I was specifically told by one agent I did not need to take off my boots. When I got ready to be scanned they changed their minds.  Next another line to get the biometrics photo of our faces confirmed.  Everything is narrow so when a flight is de-planeing, all E-W foot traffic gets blocked with a sliding door until all passengers file by, and vice versa.  I got caught in one of those holds 2x. Finally got to Rollin's departure gate.  Boarding had just finished, he was not there, so I assume he was on board. I asked if I could fly on that flight: "No, this is an Are Mingus flight and we don't accept BA tickets" except this flight was booked as a BA flight.  Now I have a 5 hour wait for my flight.

We have had a similar Brit customs experience going to London for the day from Paris last spring. 

Finally!

At the airport, Rollin & Dad, on the way to Dublin for St. Patty's Day.

Rollin and I are ready!

5 V Five Cinco Cinq

All my bag is packed, I'm ready to go....  Lots to do before I can go - one massive brief to complete writing. A few meetings.  Buy a green wig for the St Patty's Day parade. Tick, Tick.  It's 4am with 5 days to go and I'm awake. Eager to start.  But 3 weeks away from the most wonderful wife.   Five.  5. V

Nine lives Cat o nine tails 3, 6 9 the goose frank wine

Nine. Nueve. Neuf. IX.   When I've been sitting, waiting, with 9 days to go it seems forever away. This time I have a lot to get done before I leave....  It seems around the corner.

Four 2x2 IIII

weeks until the next trip. Four weeks from today Rollin and I fly to Dublin to start a 2 week adventure together. 1st day there: St Patty's Day!  Stay tuned. I'm psyched. And packed!!