I think the week I spent in Jamestown this year was one of the best weeks I have had in a long time. It was action packed all the way and I managed to squash in most of it! A couple of the events really stood out for me no doubt others will have different opinions!

Monday morning we had a wonderful cookery demonstration in The Cottage Restaurant where we not only learnt a few of Sham’s secrets but got to taste them as well!

Tuesday the rain came and never stopped all day. I had reluctantly passed on taking the trip to Lough Rynn and the classical concert as my guest was not sure what time she would arrive at. When she got to Jamestown at midday looking like a drowned rat, any thoughts of going for a walk around Leitrim and or Roscommon went out the window in favour of lighting the fire and opening a bottle of cold white! We had a very pleasant afternoon with a variety of ladies from the other barges. Cathy and I then ate a leisurely dinner and went up the town to see the lighting of The Arch. We all then adjourned to the pub for a small bevvy.

Wednesday morning dawned rather like Tuesday and every day this summer with the rain coming down. We were almost decided that the golf would not happen but the God of Golf had other ideas and turned off the rain and we went to Carrick on Shannon Golf Club where we played 18 holes of most enjoyable golf. Great work by Lorna to get it all together on the day. Wednesday night we went to the Thatch Bar for a lovely evening of ceile music but we were too many for dancing!

Friday morning dawned bright and SUNNY ! On offer to us was a lecture on fishing and fishing tackle. I can honestly say I neither know nor want to know about fishing but rumour had it that Terry Mann’s garden was well worth the trip. His garden is wonderful and we were treated not only to tea and scones and a wander round his garden but he also gave us armfuls of newly picked vegetables. I should also add that he made fishing sound like a sport I might try one day!

Friday night we were treated to a showing of Waking Ned. We piled into the mobile cinema with our popcorn and wine and settled in for a cosy feel-good film. I am reliably informed by my daughter that it was a great film and that I did not snore once!

On Sunday we attended Mass in Jamestown Church with the local choir (augmented by the voice of Cormac!) singing. This mass celebrated the 200^th anniversary of the church and was a lovely service in the midst of a wonderful and manic week.

Cathy Dwane 2012.