A London Walk and a London Temple

This week the sun shone solidly as a diamond on black velvet. It was a fair thing, because most of my activities were al fresco. On Tuesday our group went to the London Mormon Temple to visit the grounds, eat lunch, and perform some ordinance work. The London Temple is not only beautiful on the outside, but as is typical with most temples, it sits on a tremendously well manicured garden. These Temple grounds, however, were the most extensive of any I have ever seen. There was a koi pond with attached canal, and footpaths all along the grounds inviting users to stop and smell the roses and to ponder all things eternal, and temporal. Included in the Temple trip was lunch at the cafeteria- an experience I couldn't fail to mention. It was inexpensive, of a quality nature, and above all, delicious. True Ambrosia. Wednesday was nap day (yes, those are necessary even in London), and Thursday was likewise necessary. We took a train and went to Kent/Shoreham to indulge on a "Country Walk" that got us lost, separated, miss two trains back to London, and above all, have an absolutely delightful experience. On the country walk we ate lunch at an abondoned Roman castle, waded through a stream, went to a beer hop farm and an oast (the walk sort of turned into a beer tour), walked through a driving range while dodging golfballs, frolicked in a field of flowers, and enjoyed the forest. We also went to a little farm where they sold, of all things, beer. The countrified walk was well worth the wet dog that went into the stream and then shook on all of us, that's for sure.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow is Dublin

I have just about wrapped up this four part mini-series on Ireland, but no account would be complete without a reporting on the hostel and the Ryanair flight. I was impressed with Ryanair and many of their cost-cutting strategies, such as exorbitant fees for checked baggage, non-reclining seats, and no seat-back pocket. I was less impressed with their cost-reducing iniatives that included "The brand new wingless plane!" a fee for using the loo; the original pilotless plane, wherein they bragged, "We didn't pilot the idea, but we did come up with it first!" and the depressurized cabin. Needless to say, my lungs were killing me after we got off. My flight was humourous and full of interesting people. The two people across from me started out as complete strangers, but 1 beer, 3 chardoneys and 1 pinot noir later they were the best of friends. The two people directly next to me couldn't restrain their purchasing power. When the newspaper cart came by, they bought one. When the drink cart came by, they bought one. When the candy cart came by, they bought one. When the scratch ticket steward came by, they bought one. When the Picasso auctioneer came by, they bought one. What a hoot. After we landed, but while we were still taxing, everyone got up and started collecting their belongings until the Cap'n told them all to sit down. As we were unloading they started to refuel the plane, and the Irish couple next to me commented that they wouldn't be surprised if Ryanair took off again before everyone got off, just to make up for lost time. What a hoot. While in Dublin, I stayed in a twelve man dorm. My roommates were mostly middle-aged men who looked like they lived in the hostel. I said Hi to two of them, but the only think anyone ever said in return was "Howdy." I caught one of my roomies eating straight up canned tomatoes. At least I am assuming they were tomatoes, as opposed to extra-large bouncie balls or shriveled watermelons. One more thing to note: You know you are not considered a full grown man in the eyes of the world when the old lady sitting next to you on the aeroplane offers you some chocolate. Yea, that happened to me. I was very grateful, don't get me wrong, but at the same time I couldn't help but to feel a little bit like a schoolboy.

Irish Pubs

Irish Pubs are known the world over for their cascading beer, disemboguing music and laundering leprechauns. I may have made that last one up. While in Dublin I went to an Irish pub, Oliver St. John's Gogarty, and ate bar food and drank from a Guinness pint. I dined on Shepard's pie and the P.H.A.T.test fries I have ever had. Each chip was like a little hotdog, without the meat or curvature that is usually associated with a dog in a bun. My Guiness pint was filled to the brim several times, each time with "vokda on the rocks- shaken not stirred- but hold the vodka and the rocks, but add water." The bartender was confused at the initial request, but after three pints she had me figured out like a model on a diet. :) That was a Wallace original. The music was the most entertaining of all, however. We heard two groups perform live, the latter having a fiddle, guitar, accordian, and some sort of strange Irish drum. It was high energy and full of imbibing. One of the guitarists downed six pints of beer during his two hour set. I don't even think I could drink six "vodka on the rocks- shaken not stirred- but hold the vodka and rocks, but add water" in one evening without feeling a little loopy. I suppose only an Irishman could drink six pints of Guinness and still strum coherently. For those of you who really know me, you will be shocked at what I am about to disclose. I stayed out at Gogarty's until 00.30! The music was so great and I figured it was probably the only chance I'd have to chill at an Irish pub in Dublin, so I made the most of it. It was a splendid evening.