Dad and I took a little side trip to Ireland while he was here.  I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this trip: the weather was cool (I LOVED wearing a jacket, as it’s still so hot here!) and unusually sunny for this time of year in Ireland, the time and conversation with Dad was very connecting and easy, and the driving was… well it was beautiful for sure, and a little challenging (opposite side of car and road, with a stick shift and super narrow roads).  We saw the Rock of Cashel, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Connemara.  We enjoyed the little towns of Cashel, Clifden and Howth, and although we didn’t love Galway as much, we did enjoy all the music we found there, including a fantastic music trio at a fun local pub.  We drank pints every night, we ate delicious food for every meal, we met a number of locals and international folks who were all very friendly, we were bought pints of Guiness by a drunk Irishman, we toured Galway with a fiddle player, and we got a free fish-and-chips lunch from a kind shop owner.   I enjoyed not having to worry about kids and home for a few days.  Dad, you are such an easy travel partner, so flexible, easy, and full of wonder. I can’t wait for our Australia trip!