Monday 29 April 2024--I land at Shannon early in the morning and have coffee and pastry in a quiet terminal. Then it's off to Dingle, a five-hour trip that requires three buses: the first to Limerick, a second to Tralee, and a third to Dingle. Remarkably, despite a couple of hiccups, it all goes as scheduled, and I arrive in time to take a long nap.

I get up and go meet Bobby's friend Michael in his shop. He is, of course, surprised to see me. We are in the snug at Foxy John's at 5:00. Ron and Bobby arrive at 6:00, greeting Michael at the far end of the snug, momentarily oblivious to the fellow taking their picture, almost at Bobby's elbow. They are pleased to see me, or at least are kind enough to make a show of it. I'm relieved they have made no unforeseen plans that might have made my arrival awkward. I don't think I'll do this sort of thing again.