Issue #16…After the 1st Meeting of the Clan.....
If you're approached by a pickpocket in Dublin, this may be what he looks like:
The Secretary’s Report of Our First Meeting…
How shall I say this? After meeting most of our group today, I’d venture that everywhere we go, they’ll know we’ve been there. What a delightful beginning! Thanks to those who were able to make it and to those of you who had to be absent, sorry we didn’t get to meet you. Special apologies to Doug Bradbury who I had on the line for an hour and didn’t give him a chance to talk.
For those of you who were not among us on Sunday, we introduced ourselves (and I could tell from that point on that we were “a group to be reckoned with”). Travis came in a bit later with bruises all over his delicate body after leading his ISD students through the paint ball wars, and Tom Ryder sauntered in just in time to eat…the master of timing.
We then ran through the daily itinerary, especially noting and discussing the various optional excursions. Everyone must sign up individually for these online at our Passports.com website, or by using the order form you received in the mail. If you have trouble with any aspect of this, please let me know.
After enjoying Nancy and Keith’s bounty of cookies and drinks, we adjourned to the north room to sup and chat…from the laughter level, I’d say that we were “well met,” as Shakespeare would put it.
Peg and Janet just before Tom's carefully-timed meal arrival
Some developments as a result of our meeting:
Keith reported that although the dollar is down, it doesn’t seem to be sinking lower lately…AND…he has offered to order British pounds and/or Irish Euros for anyone who wants them from his bank office. Of course you are welcome to contact your own banker, but if you’d like Keith to do it for you, please contact him at bradbury@franklinbank.net or by calling him during banking hours at 217 675-2311. Keith isn’t sure yet about the service charge, but he’ll pro-rate it. To make things easier for Keith, it’d be good for us all to get our orders to by MAY 1ST. Sound fair? Again, feel free to use your own facilities if you like. I’m sure the price is the same everywhere.
So now you’re asking.. How much? My advice is to simply get “start up money,” …enough to get by on until you hit a bank or an ATM machine. So…I’d advise getting 40 bucks each of British pounds and Euros. Just an idea.
Also, since there will be so many of us traveling down from the Jacksonville/Springfield area, Keith’s investigating some sort of group transport. The cost may be prohibitive but parking and fuel may be equally shocking by mid-summer. Again…just an idea we’re exploring.
Funny...Only 1 even looks Irish!
Other highlights/sidelights of the meeting…. It sounds like Erich Nobis was officially adopted by Bonnie (the cane lady) who’s hired him as a full-time luggage-toter. Her last words upon leaving.. “Remember, Erich! I’ve got you!” (And if you’re of the praying persuasion, Bonnie gets a new knee Thursday. We’re hoping for a green one to match the landscape around Killarney) … Did you ever see three such delightful greeters? (Okay Bill, you were sort of delightful, too.) …I learned from eating with the Ryders that Peg is making the decisions on this trip. …. Tom claims that he and Bob Chipman are rooming together…. I enjoyed hearing of Stephan Vicari’s return to Sicily a few years ago….. Janet Long behaved for an entire meeting. We’ll see how long this lasts when she’d been around Rhonda for a week….. Travis bruises……. Yes, it’s true. I designed Y Nhu’s outfit for Sunday. ……
Why do I have a feeling that this will be the group that'll take the most watching?
Ahhhhh…….
According to USA Today, the National Security Administration is testing new security procedures at the Washington D.C. airport and if they’re successful they’ll be used by airports throughout the nation. To promote a calmer and more peaceful atmosphere, the security area will be bathed in more soothing light and soft music will be playing. They’re trying to create a more relaxing experience for travelers (and they hope that terrorists will stand out more starkly in a calm environment.) They have new scanning machines for passengers whom they pick out of the line for a body-check. You’ll be scanned privately in another room (x-ray) then the scan will be destroyed. Dern… there go some great chances for a vacation souvenir.
Rhonda: I ain't totin' your luggage, Janet.
Bits to Keep in Mind:
---May 1st deadline for getting your orders to Keith if you’d like him to order your cash.
---We’ll be looking at dates, probably in June and during the week for another meeting of the clan.
---7-10 days before departure you’ll be hearing from me about flight times.
---A couple of you went home and got online to book your optional excursions. A reminder: our username and password to enter the site are
KBRADBURY
Triopia
Happy booking!
---KenSheik Stephen and his harem. .....
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