So there I was, doing my level best to boost the profit margins of The Great Institution whilst not forgetting my responsibilities to contribute in some small manner to the pensions of all former Guinness employees, when it occurred to the space between my ears that I had not heard from The Kitchen Sink Dude (TKSD) in quite a while. And so it was out with the blower and a wee catch up ensued.

It was good to hear from him again.

We chewed the fat, digested the thin, and then he mentioned that he was soon to be heading for lovely Enniscrone and he invited me along to join him. Needless to say the offer was gratefully accepted. In times gone by, TKSD and I were regular visitors to this part of the world for a wee spot of golf but it had been a few seasons since my last visit.

The drive across kicked off just before 11.30. Progress was of the slow and steady variety as we were by no means the only car that was out and about. It was 2 bells before we hit Carrick on Shannon and a wee sustenance stop was called for. Now there are many great institutions in Irish society. The GAA, Guinness, The Irish Times and a certain premises in Chatham Street come immediately to mind. And right up there with this elite quartet is the object that is known to one and all as The Breakfast Roll. And so it came to pass that I stuffed my face in the heart of Leitrim of a Saturday afternoon with a very tasty concoction of bread, butter, bacon, egg, sausages and pudding, not forgetting a wee dollop of tomato ketchup. Good healthy stuff.

On then to our destination and we hit Enniscrone at 3.30. We checked in at the Kitchen Sink Hotel and were soon joined by The Clash Kid who had made his way up to join us from the Rebel county. After a small spot of chat and rest our intrepid trio made its way along to The Pilot Bar for a little al fresco dining, which was made all the more interesting by some good old Irish rain. Diluted Guinness and chicken stir fry never tasted so good. A stroll along the beach and a bit of Atlantic coast air followed on before it was back to base to watch England do a number on poor old Ukraine.

It was good to be on the move again.