An old photo, taken at Seamus' wedding, but one we used this week in our seminar to the Fellows about our life and times. Gerard and I were sick with nerves, unaccustomed to the American manner of talking confidently about yourself. But Vanessa mixed us each a mojito and we were able to calm our nerves enough to open our mouths. Gerard spun a superb tale of growing up in Northern Ireland, funny stories from country newspapers, and about some of the more spectacular investigations he's uncovered so far. When it came to my turn, the saving grace was some luscious slides of Bronte Beach, the bogey hole, and the Sculpture by the Sea festival. Now everybody wants to visit Sydney.
The talking was followed by another exquisite dinner: this time some slow-cooked Cuban ropa vieja and beans from Vanessa (who was, until the Fellowship, writing in Havana for her Florida paper) and pizzas and coney dogs (hot dogs, as far as I can tell) from Jamie and Amy (most recently of Detroit). All kicked off with pitchers of mojitos... how classy! As welcome as the Kir Royales served up by the BBC's envoy, Steve (with his wife Sarah) one week earlier.
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