THE KIDS ARE HERE

Yesterday was a big transition day, with many people leaving and many new folks showing up. Yesterday afternoon we had tea (and pints) at Dromoland Castle, where Boris Yeltsin had been staying. Jack and Laurne Glusman had a grand time playing with the ducks and running in the rose garden, while others of us had delicious crab claws soaked in butter and garlic.

Last night we all headed in to Ennis for dinner. One group had a fancy meal at Zucchini, highlighted by oysters, rack of lamb, monkfish, filet mignon and some John Dory. The other group went to Brogan's and had a fancy dinner as well. Later there was great live Irish music at Brogan's, featuring a blind drunk fiddler who downed 10 shots of Jaegermeister during the show.

Today we bid farewell to the Glusman clan, who are off to London to celebrate Sheldon Glusman's 65th birthday. He's got 25 years to the good on me. Jeff Femrite also bid us good bye, taking his stories and insights back to the wonderful world of bond financing. The Jers were scheduled to leave but their flight was delayed and they rescheduled to fly back tomorrow rather than spend the night in New Jersey.

The big news is that the kids arrived today! It was so god to see them I can't even attempt to describe it. And their flight went well; they both slept most of the way. They love the castle, it is a brilliant sunny day and we are having an awesome time. We're off to get pizzas for dinner now in Newmarket on Fergus.