It's certainly something to which we look forward; seeing our very good friends, the beautiful countryside, places that have some very good memories for us and, this weekend, people with buckets of enthusiasm.It's also a time to catch up with our Trader friends from around the UK and Europe - but mostly it's Ireland, we will never tire of coming here - we even honeymooned in West Cork!
This year, the new committee of the Dublin Sugarcraft Guild had organised a Sugarcraft Exhibition at the Red Cow Hotel just outside the City, and after a relatively trouble free 12 hour journey by car and ferry, we arrived at our destination in time for a well deserved Guinness (for the driver) and a pleasant dinner catching up with our UK and Irish friends.
 |
| Carol, Karen and Barry |
The exhibition has grown in the fifteen or so years of the Guild's existence, and this year it took a step further in the expansion of its entity by hiring a larger hall and attracting many excited competitors and visitors.The first dawn of the exhibition was bright and clear - a beautiful, if chilly, day with blue skies and long queues of smiling cake-makers and shoppers, catching up, exchanging hints and tips and cheerfully awaiting the opening of the doors. This first day was busy and the general feeling in the hall was one of good natured friendliness There were smiles everywhere, and as the first rush subsided there was plenty of time to stop, watch and chat. On that first day Frankie had a half a dozen more requests for Facebook and our ferried stock was running low by the evening.
 |
| Getting ready... |
We were able to seriously catch up with all our Irish friends in the evening with several glasses of the black stuff disappearing and some tasty Irish cuisine available. Barry's bottom achieved a worrying low score when its (still clothed) appearance over the bar partition was judged by the ladies who were offered an opportunity to study it closely!
 |
| Barry's Bottom - it didn't get close to a "SEVEN".. |
 |
| See, we told you we would.... |
Sunday was quieter to start with, but soon picked up with stock running low and enthusiasm still high and eventually, the prizes awarded and the remaining items all loaded back in to the car, we retired to the bar.
 |
| Frankie and Adele, our lovely Irish Star. |
The last night is usually a time for analysis, to discuss tactics, footfall, problems and successes and tonight was no different. We chatted through the meal, laughed with our Dutch and Irish counterparts, Mike managed to avoid all Barry's attempts to get him to sing, and we persuaded our Friends from Holland to try Baby Guinnesses....
 |
| Sabine and Tirza |
Overall, a great success, well done to Carol and all her Committee members for their invitation and their organisation...here's to the next one.
 |
| Gerry and Maz - and Pritt stick..! |
 |
| The Glitter Boys |
Karen Davies Cakes
Patchwork Cutters
Cakes By Bien
Dublin Sugar Craft Guild
