Welcome to Sunny Galway!

 

It was a long journey but thankfully, uneventful except for a mad dash to make our connecting flight at Salt Lake City’s airport.  We were cutting it close from the get-go but while landing, the flight crew announced over the PA system that due to airport construction, we’d be deplaning* on the tarmac and taking buses to the terminal. There might not be enough buses all at once, they explained, so please be patient and remain on board until we can accommodate you. I am not patient and I fell into 'uh oh' mode.

If there was any waiting to be done I knew we’d be among those doing it because we were seated toward the back of the plane. As it turned out, there were sufficient buses to get us all deplaned* without delay but then we were dropped at a long (long!) makeshift, outdoor-tunnel that could only be maneuvered single file. We were trapped behind a procession of slow-amblers dragging bulky roller cases and one-handing their cell phones. There was no civilized way to get around them so instead, I just yelled C’mon people, heads up and move along! Okay, really I just yelled that in my head because, you know, wimp.

Suffice it to say we made it but just before our next flight’s gate staff closed the doors. Once they do that, there is NO OPENING THOSE DOORS AGAIN. Encountering those closed doors is like seeing the blue screen of death when you try and boot your computer.

Upon arrival in Dublin, we were relieved to discover clear weather. It lasted through our bus trip across the country as well as our trek from the bus station to our B&B. But we woke up overnight to rain drops pattering into our room's skylight – a poor harbinger for biking days to come. It's been raining pretty much ever since.

Saturday is our first day of riding and the forecast is promising. However, everyone – Galwegians and tourists alike – has said Oh, you can’t rely on the weather reports here. It never happens how they say.

We’re hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. 

 

 

            * So much of modern airport terminology infuriates me, especially deplaning (what’s wrong                 with disembarking or getting off? and  pre-boarding (what? boarding before you board?  and                 why not onplaning?)