Cork and potatoes and the Irish

We took the bus to Cork. The Hotel is very close to the bus station and across the river and up the hill from the Train station. We went out to Blarney and climbed a million steps and kissed the blarney stone. I thought I was going to fall on my head. I should have worn a belt so the man could have held on to that as you are upside down when you do this. The gardens around the castle are very spacious but not much was blooming. We visited the Witches kitchen and the Druids rock(?) etc. and came back to town. Did some shopping the next day. Peggy keeps saying that my suitcase will burst, but it hasn't yet. I have bought a down filled vest, a scarf, an aran sweater, numerous knick knacks and souvenirs (mousepad, magnets, etc.). Cork has several pedestrian streets so we roamed around and found the English Market and the Merchants Quay which were the best things anyway. The English Market is a food market like Bousqueire in Barcelona or San Vincenne in Paris - covered farmers market. We had dinner at a very nice restaurant. I ordered the lamb and I had some beuatiful lamb served with 4 kinds of potatoes.

The view from our window at the hotel is great we can see the city as it rises from the river.  We also went to Cobh pronounced Cove where the people left for America during the famine. Very moving exposition of the various facets of the times and the hardship of the people.  Walked around town and saw the Cathedral and the Promenade and the Titanic memorial. 

In Malahide today - Saw the Castle - going to Dublin this afternoon.  Home tomorrow.

Lots of interesting things happening and tons of pictures but we are finding it hard to find internet access. Either it is an arm and a leg for cost or like the present (Library) has a ton of restrictions on it.  We found one the other day that was less then 6 € an hour and the place smelled of beer and cigarettes. Many are up huge sets of stairs to the second floor then back down another set to a back area. 

We are having a great time. Knock was interesting 5 churches in a town of about 500 people is always interesting. Souvenirs were rather junkie.  The B & B was on the way into town and the bus driver let us off at the driveway.  The only Bar in Knock was right beside the B & B and I think they owned it as they had the same last name.  The Bartender was their son Ierla (Jerald) who is heading to Dublin to University this year.

Galway was great we spent the first day (arrived at 11:00 am) seeing the city and as we were in the center of town that was rather easy. Next day going to the Cliffs of Moher was beautiful and we met a lady who lives 1/2 a mile away from Peggy's sister-in-law in Newfoundland. The Bus Driver Desmond Morris stopped at a ton of places and told jokes and entertained us the whole way.

Next day we took the bus to Killarney and met a young Italian lady on the bus who came to Ireland to practice and learn English but has a hard time understanding Irish people.

We arrived in Killarney to find the B & B a little out of the downtown but not too far.  Eileen makes up for it though.  She runs a well respected B & B - the tour buses stop automatically to see if anyone is coming.  Her breakfasts are delicious and she volunteers to throw a load of laundry in for you too.

We walked out to Ross castle that day and back through Killarney Park.  Saw Hind which is a form of deer in the park.

The Ring of Kerry yesterday.  The Driver wasn't as good as Des.  Told you what had gone past. The ring is a ring of Mountains. spectacular views. A bit of Sensory overload.  Stopped at Bog Museum, Dog and Sheep demonstration, Very high very very windy hill that overlooked the valley of the hidden treasure Coom A Ceistre, and Lady View - overlooks the Killarney lakes and was Queen Victoria's favorite spot.

On the last day in Killarney I lost my wallet. I didn't realise it for a couple of hours.  We walked back to the last shop I bought anything in and while we stood there the sales clerk realized that it had slipped down between the showcases.  Everything was intact. Thank you St. Anthony and Sheila from Christy's Store.

Donegal and on to Knock

Donegal is not very big. You can circle the town in half an hour and I believe we did several times. The first evening we went on the waterbus and the guide pointed out all the historical and funny points of interest. They use the islands to raise cows on because the grass is available the islands have pure spring water and when they want to go to market they walk the cattle off the islands at low tide.  Low tide here is like the bay of Fundy - the water goes out and leaves a huge mud flat area. The guide sang when he couldn't think of anything to say which luckily wasn't often as he wasn't Dennis Day. We walked around the shops and I looked into the window of McGinty's and Mr. McGinty came out and practically dragged us in so he could show us all the beautiful knits he had, we snuck out when another customer came in. Afterward we walked uptown and had a Sunday evening special at the Hotel (on Monday) I had Salmon and Peggy had roast Beef.  Both very good. We picked up a bottle of wine at the off-license and went back to the B & B by Taxi.

The next day we went and toured Donegal Castle. We also visited every shop in Donegal. The best one was Magees. We had seen a weavers exhibit out the back and when we asked the young man said he would demonstrate if we came back at half four.  We had lunch in a little cafeteria upstairs and went off to visit all the churches (there are four of them) - the Library was closed and we found the Napoleonic Anchor (it was in the middle of the sidewalk and we had past it several times already but didn't see it). We found Morna's Patch (quilting materials and patterns) and the Famine Graveyard.  It poured rain the moment we headed down hill to the graveyard - but as usual it stopped 5 minutes later. During the afternoon we also roamed through the Abbey ruins and the churchyard/graveyard.

At 4:30 we found Stephen from Magees and he took us out to the weavers exhibition. He told us the history of Magees weaving and showed us how the loom worked. They still wash the tweed in the river to soften it. Then he let me weave some cloth.  Peggy took a video which we will post later. He gave us a piece of Peat each to take home. We discovered that we could use the bakery computers if we bought coffee.  We went back to the B & B to get ready for the next day.

Last Day in Dublin

Sunday Morning we got up bright and early to go see the Book of Kells.  We got off at the wrong bus stop and an old lady told us it was only a short walk back to Trinity College.  A short block in Ireland is about a mile, a long block is two miles. We crossed the road and caught the Hop-on Hop-off and let him take us to Trinity College.  Just through the Archway into the square was a small stand and a sign saying tour including the Book of Kells was 10€ and two students were standing there.  Since the Book of Kells was 9€ we decided it was worth the tour.  Steven was our guide. This is his third year at Trinity and he was very knowledgeable about all the funny history of the school. Who got shot through his bedroom window etc. Interesting note Trinity had no heat and no running water until 1980. Brrrrrr. We went down to Temple Bar for lunch. Irish bacon is like peameal so a BLT is a little different. While we were walking back up to Dame street we ended up watching a gay rights Parade - equal rights Gay marriage etc. then we went to Dublin Castle and there was an eight hundred year anniversary of the date that King John gave freedom or Liberties to the city.  We got to watch the parade and the speeches.  We were going to tour Dublin Castle and City Hall but the Castle tours were backed up more then an hour and the City Hall was closed because of the reenactment.  Then we got lost and took the bus the wrong way and missed the last Liffey River Cruise.  We went off and found an ecobike to take us to the craft shops and had a good little wander about and then opted for a couple of pints to ease out upset at what we had missed that day.  There we were on Duke street - I knew a short cut. 

For Dinner we ate at the rooftop restaurant at Marks and Spence.  I took pictures of the pigeons bothering the patrons outside.  It was very funny.

Went back to Ariel House to pack and I think all the contents grew as there didn't seem to be enough room for anything. Finally got packed. We were reading things and discovered that Irish water only has a three day life.  That's what the bottles say - Please discard three days after opening.

Yesterday we took the train and the bus from Donegal to Sligo.  The Train in Dublin - DART has a terrible gap and I kept having trouble getting on and off.  The ride to Sligo was very nice but the bus to Donegal was hilarious.  Two old grannies who had been shopping and wanted to make sure they were on the right bus and couldn't make the arm rest work. etc.

The B & B is way out of town.   We went on the Waterbus. More later - bye for now.

2nd day in Ireland

We got up a little late for us and enjoyed a full Irish Breakfast. The coffee is too strong but the eggs were great. I forgot that Irish bacon is a cross between ham and Peameal bacon. I t was great. Headed back down town and took the full circle of the hop-on hop-off bus. e found the Temple Bar Market and bought Cheese and buns and strawberries for lunch along with some great icy cold water. We saw St. Stephens Green park - someone as having wedding photo's there and we wandered through and took some pictures. I read the map and took us as Peggy says through a lot of back alleys until we found St. Patrick's Park and Cathedral. Just a half a block up the street we found a TIM HORTON'S. It was an outlet with a machine but Tim's is Tim's. and I was happy to see they had some in Ireland.

We couldn't find a bus so we walked up to Christ Church Cathedral and Dublinia Exhibit.  It was just closing but they let us use the john which is always important.  Across the road there was a Viking Fest going on. That was the highlight of the day.  I got a picture of a 3 year old Viking with an axe in his belt shooting a bow and arrow.

We walked from there over to Duke Street and had some Smithfields Irish Ale at the Davy Byrne Tavern. Hopped on the number 7 bus and had Fish and Chip Dinner at the local Pub and some more Irish Ale. Back at the hotel we had a late snack of Strawberries, cheese, crackers and Australian wine.

I feel like all I talk about is food - but the sights are great as well.  Tomorrow I will write about the Book of Kells and the great tour we had there.

My Birthday in Ireland

Top of the morning top ya!
This is the first internet cafe we have found so everyone can forgive the delay.

We arrived yesterday morning. and just as we waited for the bus the sky opened and it rained. Arrived at the hotel a little wet and fell up the stairs.  No harm done.  The guest house served us warm scones smothered in butter and strawberry jam as a welcome.  You can tell I didn't book this place though, the stairs to the front door were bad enough but we are on the 1st floor with no elevator.  Luckily we had a young man to bring the luggage up.  Irish locks are backward and Peggy couldn't get the door open, but luckily the young man knew how.  The rain stopped in the afternoon. The room is very nice and we are in the G.B. Shaw wing.
We took an nap in the afternoon and later went down town on the Dart (Light rail like a subway but overhead). The gap is big between the train and the platform and my vertigo kicked in but I managed.  We did some sightseeing and joined the Dublin Pub Crawl Literary Tour and lo and behold I won the quiz t-shirt.  I decided it was my early birthday present.

Had a full irish breakfast this morning. Haven't had the nerve yet to try the white and black pudding. We drank Heinekin draft and Bulmers cider last night. We may share a 1/2 of Guiness today. I think that is an acquired taste.

 We are doing the hop-on hop-off bus today and visiting some of the sites. The driver is quite the wit. We may do the river cruise this afternoon. Can't add pictures today as the card slot doesn't appear to work.

Three more sleeps and we are off to Ireland

As you can see the Rooster bag is packed for the plane trip. It has the meds, the camera, the book, the MP3 player in it. The eyemask, the pen and pencil and the notepad are hiding in there too.  I'm doing one last pack tonight and trying to see what I am missing as I am sure I will forget something of value. Except for the brough, Ireland is at least a country that is speaking the same language as I am.  Hopefully we will understand them and if we need help we can make ourselves understood.

Nicky Farnell offered us hospitality today while we are in the British Isles but I explained that we were staying in Ireland. I told her that if we got waylaid by the volcano we might pop over and see her. Next year we will have to make time to see her when we are in England. I really enjoyed meeting her and her family last time I was in England.

 I managed to get everything in the small suitcase. I hate bringing a big suitcase as I don't like to drag it around. The small one will still weigh about 25 pounds by the time I am done. I still have to fit shoes in to it (Outside pocket). The Rooster bag will be my purse on the plane but my day bag when we are out sightseeing.  I never carry anything of value in the bag - umbrella sweater or rain jacket, water bottle or snack.  I pity the poor thief who steals it as there just won't be anything of value in it.

I am eating my way through the fridge.  There are only a couple of eggs, half a loaf of bread, cheese, some raspberries, condiments, beer, and water left. I am not getting rid of the frozen food but any opened packages will get tossed Wednesday night or Thursday morning. I'm doing fine so far.

8 days until we leave for Ireland

Got my car back. Seems to be running fine. Turned in the Yaris - I will hear back from them about the damage. Hopefully not too much.

Got my marks from school - Final mark for the Course was 77. I am so happy with that mark. Only two courses to go before I am done. Going to have someone pick up the mail while I'm away in case the course material comes.

Have to check and make sure the bills are all paid this weekend - most are automatic but just in case.... I better check before I leave.

Going to see Dangerous Liaisons with Fran at Stratford tonight at the Festval Theatre. This may be our last treat of the season as any play we haven't seen appears to be sold out or down to the last ticket or two - mostly singles - so there probably won't be any deals coming up.

Only 8 days until we leave for Ireland. It is coming very quickly and I keep thinking of more things I should pack or check on or something. I feel like I am going a little crazy. Take a deep breath Lynda ... you can do it.

10 days and I can hardly wait!

On Saturday I took my car in to London and had it breakdown on the way. Had to call a tow truck, and I had to leave it to be repaired. They didn't have a loaner so I had to rent a car. I rented a Yaris.

Sunday Shirley and I went to Toronto for the Rogers Cup Tennis and stood waiting for the rain to stop for 2 hours and finally went home. Of course it stopped raining right after we left.

I went to return Glenna's shop vac today and the construction vehicles were all over her street - they are putting in sewers etc. I tried to park behind the other cars on the side of the road. Little did I know that there was a hole on the side of the road where the culvert comes out. The pictures tell the tale. I had to climb out the driver's window. Luckily it didn't flip. I wasn't hurt just shaken up. More Pictures on Facebook.

Still haven't found out my marks from Religion and Science, but it takes awhile for the mail to get back to Sudbury from London and then they have to get marked so I just need to be patient.

I did my practice pack and then I looked at the weather in Ireland. I still don't know what I am taking. I just want to go soon, before anything else goes wrong.

16 days and counting

I finished the stain glass and it is awesome. I put it and some other stained glass on my facebook page and Emma Skillen likes my first piece best. I always liked all the blues and greens in that piece. I still haven't finished the frame for the big piece but I'll get there.

Wrote the final exam in Religion and Science. I think I covered all the bases. Hopefully I should get around 75 on the course. I was lucky - two of the questions were really the same question asked from the opposite point of view. I believe I got good marks for answering both of them.

I took the boys, Carter and Lincoln to see Peter Pan. Carter was a hoot,before the curtain went up, he kept asking me to read portions of the program - telling him who made the sets and who played the parts and which picture of the actors/actresses was which character in the play. He loved the play and he enjoyed himself very much. Now Lincoln is three and he was funny. The moment we got there he noticed the doghouse. As soon as the dog came on stage that was it. He loved it. The only problem was the dog left the stage and Linc kept asking "Where did the dog go?" After the intermission Mom decided that it would be better for Lincoln and her to watch from the lobby. He still enjoyed the play very much.

Rogers Cup Tennis is on for this weekend. Shirley and I will go to qualifying on Sunday. It is the men this year and I am hoping that we get to see some of the big names practicing. It is always nice to see the up and coming players. In another year or so I will recognize them when I see them at other tournaments. I saw Gilles Simon at the Rogers years before he became a well-known name.

Next play is in the works, Sept. 11, 2010 Dangerous Liaisons. This play was banned in the early 1900's. Fran and I are back in the Festival Theater front row of the balcony. It should be good.

Only sixteen days (to the hour) until I am getting on a plane to Ireland. There are clothes and stuff all over the second bedroom. I feel like I am going crazy, but I'm sure it will all work out in the end. I still haven't absolutely decided on a suitcase. The small ones all seem too full but I hate to take the big one. I bought a new charger for the European phone and within hours I had found the old one. The new one is non-refundable of course.

By the time I get back from Ireland, Matt from EllisDon, who I have worked with for almost two years will have left for nine months in New Zealand with his church group. I am going to miss him, we have worked together for my whole time on this project. We are going out to lunch on my last day before vacation.

I signed up for two more courses: Women, Religion and Spirituality and Women in the Ancient World. If I can manage these two I will Graduate with a B.A. in June of 2011.
That will be an accomplishment - The thought makes me smile.

I will try to get another entry next week maybe after the play. Then it will be blog around Ireland, hopefully everyday.

A quick two weeks

July 17, 2010
I started this post on the 12th but didn't publish it so the date is wrong.

When I left off the Stained Glass wasn't finished and I was lamenting about how busy I was. As Christine pointed out I should look on the bright side. I second that, at least I'm around to do all this stuff. I got the stained glass window sodered but I still need to patina, putty and powder it. I may get that done this weekend.I think I will slap some paint on the frame then take sandpaper to it and make it look French Provincial. Not Great French Provincial by my French Provincial.

On Monday last I was in Stratford having dinner with the people I used to work with at Cooper Stantard Automotive. Most of them are working for other companies spread out over southwestern Ontario. Stephen Yu and his wife Louise Lui were home from China for a vacation. The boys are really grown. Derek is 15 and Darron is 11. I remember taking the gifts the office had bought to the hospital when Darron was born. Steve is working for Magna now and says he will be back in Canada in a few years. Gerry Feeney and Darlene were there too with their little one Chelsea who is now 4. Very cute and a bundle of energy once she got over being shy. I had General Tso's chicken and ate with chopsticks - I felt very proud of myself. It was nice to see Brenda, Jasminka, Wendy, Rick Petrie, John Seward, John Seed, Paul Kooren and all the others. Steve reminded us that we should get together more often.

They were having a discussion about mandatory retirement and I reminded them that I wasn't ready to retire. Many of them were suprised to learn that I will be 65 next month. Made me feel good. I guess I don't look too old.

I wrote my large essay for University this week. Two thousand words on Creation: The Bible versus Science. Got my mark back already. I got an 80. I had an 80 for the first essay but lost 5 marks for being late. Adding that up I have already passed the course (54) but the final worth 30 marks will bring that up to anywhere from 69 to 84. I am really studying this week.

Thursday night Fran and I went to see The Winters Tale at Tom Patterson Theater. Second time at that theater and both times it rained just as the play started and quit just before it ended. Last time it started again before I got home but this time it cleared so the ride home was great. The play itself was excellent. I had never heard of it before but the acting was wonderful and the seats are always good even though we don't pay a lot for them.

I got a really fabulous deal on Peter Pan tickets at Stratford so I am giving them to Stephanie's sons Carter and Lincoln(Glenna and Gerry's grandsons) as a birthday present. She and I will take them. I will give you a blow by blow of the reactions of a 3 year old and a six year old to the play after we have seen it.

I'm heading out in a few minutes to have lunch with Peggy. She is in town to bring Emma back from Thunder Bay.We are going to go over some of the details for the trip which is now less then 5 weeks away. The excitement is building and the internet is buzzing with things to do and places to see.

I can't be this busy can I?

I just realized how busy I have been this year and it is only 1/2 over. My only trip so far has been to the Dominican Republic in February with Peggy and Mike's relatives. On the Home front though I have been going to a lot of "cultural events" as Rosalind Russel and Alex Guiness would say in "A Majority of One"

In Toronto I have been to two Blue Jays ballgames, Cirque du Soleil and Mamma Mia. At Stratford so far Glenna's Mom and I have gone to As You Like it, Evita, Jacques Brel is alive and well, Kiss me Kate and The Tempest with Christopher Plummer. I also went to a reunion dinner with friends from Stratford when Dr. Graf visited from Germany. Oh and I finished two University courses over the winter.

The year is not over yet. I am taking a University course over the summer. I am going to Ireland with Peggy from August 19th to September 4th. I am going to the Bon Jovi and Kid Rock Concert in July. Fran (Glenna's mom) and I have tickets to The Winters Tale at Stratford next week. In August Shirley and I are going to the Rogers Cup Tennis qualifying matches and I have another reunion in Stratford as Steve Yu visits from China. This week the Canterbury Folk Festival is in Ingersoll for the weekend. I am almost finished my second stained glass project for the summer and then I have to start on the Butterfly.

In September I am signing up for two more University courses and that will complete my B.A. (based on my passing of course) and so I will graduate in the first week of June 2011.

No wonder I feel worn out somedays and the laundry seems to get behind. The Kitchen renovations are kind of on hold - the painting is done but the flooring, tile and crown moulding are still waiting to be finished. I will see what I can do once it cools off a little.

Wimbledon Weekend

It was a good weekend - Serena Williams and Rafa Nadal both won singles championships at Wimbledon. It was so hot here today that I was glad to stay indoors in the morning and watch the tennis.I have also been working on my piece of stained glass that fell apart as I was making it. It is 32 X 12 and will fit in a frame I have. Where I will put it is another question of course.

I had to go into London to buy another square foot of gluechip (looks like frost on a window) as I keep breaking pieces. That is what the frame around the outside is while all the rest of the glass is textured in some way. Once I have it soldered and patinaed and puttied and cleaned and framed I will put up another picture.

I spent the rest of the day doing my month end report and doing some work on my next university project. I downloaded all the figures from work and then crunched the numbers at home. I am trying to get a few hours banked because I only have 1 weeks holidays left and I am taking two weeks and 1 day when Peggy and I go to Ireland.

I'm up to 5 Kiva loans - 1 in Togo, 2 in the Phillipines, one in Peru and one in Cambodia. I think my favorite is the man and his wife in Cambodia. He is a fisherman and his wife is a farmer and she wanted to borrow $100.00 to buy fertilizer for her crops. Four of us leant her the money. The two of them are supposed to be in their early thirties but they look like they are in their early twenties. This could be a mistranslation as sometimes I wonder about who is translating. My Lumber lady in the Phillipines is starting to pay me back and I should get 3 payments on August 1st. This is a lot of fun.

Anyway other then that the most exciting thing I did this weekend was the laundry. I would like to get the rest of the window put together and sodered by Thursday and then I will go into Edwards Glass and finish it. I probably won't blog again until then.

Fireflies and Fireworks

Up until last week at Joanne's birthday party I had never seen a firefly in Ontario. Someone said that there were fireflies in New Brunswick when we were camping but I wasn't sure I was seeing fireflies or just some reflections. Last week they were definitely fireflies in Judy's backyard. Well now I have fireflies as well.

Tonight I was treated to two fabulous backyard fireworks displays and there were fireflies on my back patio. I started hearing bangs around 9:30 pm and wondered where they were coming from. Because the High school is next door we can get weird echos. I took the garbage (Lobster and corn on the cob for supper) out so that the kitchen wouldn't stink in the morning and saw that it was someone out the back of my patio. I took up my position with wine glass in hand. Standing out on the patio after dark was different and all of a sudden I saw blinking lights and realized that I have fireflies too I just never noticed them. The neighbours had a great fireworks display. It must have been several people who pooled their money because it went on for more then 40 minutes. Multiple colors and whiz-bangers and whistlers and roman candles and the ones that go up and turn into little lights like bugs running in all directions. All of a sudden there was an eruption around the corner of the building and I could see the lights reflecting but not the real explosions. Another neighbour had started a second display. I grabbed a chair and went around to the west side of the building and lined myself up to watch both shows. They were interesting as two shows and every once in awhile they would have a fireworks duel. It was a lot of fun to watch. I have been to smaller displays that were organized by towns.

Robin is gone - Bunny is here

I had a happy Canada Day. Mostly relaxed but there were some neighbourhood fireworks around that I saw. Spent the early evening doing some of the stained glass. It is coming along nicely.

I spent part of the morning at Stratford Hospital - got a cortisone shot for my shoulder. Hopefully that will help and I can lose some of this pain. The doctor says I should have some physio as well. I'll see what I can fit in.

Came home and started working on month-end report for the hospital construction. When I put my head up I saw a bunny in the back yard. Messy back yard leaves lots of weeds for him to eat. Caught a picture out the sliding glass door.

The bad news for the day is that I have three robins eggs but no robin. They appear to have abandoned the nest. I think the weekly grass cutting that the condo does disturbed them. It is a shame. I think I will see if a science teacher wants the nest and eggs.

Ireland is only 7 weeks off. I am looking at transportation and trying to decide if we should buy our train and bus tickets before we leave Canada or once we arrive in Dublin. Peggy is going to arrange all the information we have gathered but I will probably print out the bus schedules for all the places and take them with us.

I have to start planning clothes and stuff for the trip. You need to take enough but you hate to take too much. I packed the right amount for Italy and overpacked for Spain so this is going to be iffy. We are going for a longer time but we have been warned that we may not be able to get laundry done. Well we could always buy new underwear and socks along the way. I have gained weight so I have to check that clothes fit. I guess I could lose weight but I don't think you can count on that.

July is looking almost as busy as June was. I have another paper due in Science and Religion, Dinner with Stratford friends on July 12th - Steve Yu is in from China, Rock concert on the 20th - Bon Jovi and Kid Rock, and final exam on July 26th evening. I expect we will go to at least one more production at Stratford. My Stained Glass is coming along but I will need at least another night or too at Edwards Glass to finish it off and then I have to sand and paint the antique frame I have. I am also trying to get some of my pictures together and framed or in albums.

Cirque Du Soleil

Spent last night at Cirque at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Should have Googled before I went. I took Glenna for her birthday and thought she had been to the center before. Neither one of us had. We got lost trying to find where it was and how to get there. I refused to pay $25.00 to park. Found a space for $15.00 just west of Front and York but then we wandered around wondering where we were going.

We found it and found the seats - good seats! The only people in front of us were the people in floor seats and my boss and his wife. We spent a few minutes discussing work then settled down to watch the show. It was great. Clowns, trapeze artists, contortionists, tumblers and fire twirlers. The light shows, the comedy and the music were all great. I'm glad we went even though the ride there and back was long.