John and I leave on our genealogical expedition Sunday and arrive Shannon Monday morning. I secured first nights lodging in my favorite town in Ireland, Westport, Co. Mayo at Atamont House B&B which is a pre-famine dwelling with 7 rooms within walking distance of town center which includes Matt Moloy's pub (Whistle player for the Chieftians) where the Guinness flows until late at night. Checked weather.com and saw the ten day forecast for the West and it included rain for ten days. Ah, as the Irish say, "Its a soft day" Mary answered the phone at the B&B as she has done ever since I first stayed there in 1985, told me to drive carefully and enjoy the sights on the way up and to remember to bring euros instead of punts. I asked her about the weather and she said that May had not been good. Imagine that, an entire month described as "not good" Living in the south holds certain advantages but 59 degrees and rain can be quite nice when it is accompanied by good friends, good misic and good Guinness. Only the Irish could come up with an expression as beautiful as "soft day" It makes you kind of look forward to it. Bye, Robert Cowan Slippin through Shannon on the road to Wesport, County Mayo, Republic of Ireland