When we planned the trip to Ireland, I realized we were only a day's travel from London, and when going from Dublin to London we would pass by within a few short miles of the village that John Gray from Going Gently lives in. I reached out to him and offered to meet for breakfast or dinner.
He is exactly who you would expect him to be from reading his blog. Honest, warm, welcoming, with a wry sense of humor. Be kind and treat him well and he will be a wonderful friend and neighbor. I only wish I lived 3,000 miles closer.
We took a ferry from Dublin to Holyhead in Wales, then the local train from there to Conwy, a delightful town with the best preserved medieval castle in the UK. We stayed in the delightful Castle Hotel, with a history stretching back over 200 years. The room was modern, spacious and plush.
I made reservations for the dining room, and right on time I spotted John walking down the street. We talked and ate for nearly three hours. It was like spending time with a long lost friend I had never met before. He has led a fascinating life, and is an amazing story teller. If you are ever in his neck of the woods, email him and see if he is available for you to buy him dinner.
This is not my first blogger meet up, and likely not my last. I always reach out in comments, and to the email in the profile. If I don't get an answer, I don't push - that would be stalking. We have met some wonderful, close friends through blogging.
Would you accept my offer to buy you dinner if I was passing by your town? If you are in DC, I am often available to meet for breakfast or lunch.
How wonderful!
ReplyDeleteIt was wonderful fun - like meeting you in person.
Deletea wonderful pix of you and the squire! I too wish john lived closer.
ReplyDeleteand you already know the answer to your final question - HELLZ YEAH! meeting blogger buddies is fun; I've only met 3 so far that were not "as real as they seemed". they don't get my respect.
You are on my list of fun bloggers
DeleteSMOOCHES!
DeleteAlways love to meet blogger buddies. It’s exciting.
ReplyDeleteSassybear
Www.Idleeyesandadormy.Com
Let me know if you are ever down this way
Deleteyou and jay would LOVE sassybear and jeffrey! sassybear makes the best damn cosmos on earth; I have not found one to match his artistry!
DeleteOh, you two are totally adorable! Just listening to John's accent alone would make me weak in the knees.
ReplyDeleteYes, he really sounds like that.
DeleteI second the "weak in the knees" (drools).
DeleteSteady gals xx
DeleteI'd love to meet you, or Gray Gray, or Mitchell is Moving. Those are the blogs that I read regularly. But, I'm afraid I'll not travel overseas again (it's too difficult with walker, wheel chair, etc.). You'd be nuts if you actually "desired" to come to the Indianapolis area. I'll just know you from afar.
ReplyDeleteI have a nephew that lives in or near Indianapolis (works in health care) who is planning to get married in the fall, I may be there.
DeleteKeep me posted. However, I am not a blogger, just an avid reader of many blogs that I read and live vicariously through. I am a retired teacher/librarian, voracious reader, have traveled widely (in the past), and haven't slept well since the 2016 election.
DeleteI like meeting blogging buddies too! And you're so lucky to have met John Gray in person. I envy you!
ReplyDeleteEdmonton, I have never been there, if I ever am. Actually Idaho and Wyoming are on my must see list for the next couple of years, Jay wants to go to Banf, that gets us in the right corner of North America.
DeleteTo get to Banff you must arrive via the Calgary International Airport, therefore, be sure to plan a few days there. From Calgary it's an hour's drive to Banff, just before you get to Banff will be Canmore which is worth a visit as well. On the other side of Banff is Lake Louise which would also be a must-see, especially for a photographer such as yourself. Calgary would be where you will find fine dining options, the rest will be where you will find nature and scenery.
Delete(posting as Medi Cal but also known as Freckles *in Calgary*)
I think some long drives await me when I retire
DeleteOn day debs xx
DeleteI like meeting bloggers, I have met four and was also a google talk buddy with two men for years.
ReplyDeleteJohn just looks warm and friendly, so glad you were able to meet him!
Over the years we have met probably 10 blogger in person, a couple of them have become dear friends.
DeleteSteve you are very welcome too xx
DeleteI would probably love John's dry, clever wit, but his language is too
ReplyDelete"saucy".....
Well, not always
DeleteSaucy?? It's fucking not!!!!
DeleteHow wonderful. I too have met some really great people blogging. It's such a great experience.
ReplyDeleteHave you met Spo? He lives in your area.
DeleteLucky you for meeting up!
ReplyDeleteI am mad-jealous.
Come along the next time
DeleteCome visit xx
DeleteIt was lovely meeting you both .........thank you xxx
ReplyDeleteTill next time, have fun
DeleteI certainly would. Only one meeting with a blogger wasn't so good and she no longer blogs. I had my reservations before hand and so did not ask my partner to come along too. The rest have been terrific, all such nice and kind people and some have gone out of their way to be a tour guide for day.
ReplyDeleteLet me know if you decide to visit the east coast of the United States. Your blogging about touring Ireland was one of the things that made me think it was time to go there.
Delete
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