So, if anyone asks you what the weather was like in Ireland between the 5th and 9th of July 2006, a one-word answer will suffice: wet! Yes, it raineth, and lo! it raineth some more. To be fair though, we did enjoy a brief spell of merely overcast weather on Friday the 7th where we were able to see something having gone to all the effort of climbing up a mountain.

This year saw 13 of us on tour in Killarney to climb a few of those fine hills and sample the best of the Diddly-dee music available in the area. In short, we climbed, got soaked, dried out, got soaked again, drank far too much, Roger played the harmonica on Radio Kerry and then both he an Wato pulled (much to our amusement!). Pictures of the trip can be found via the links in the Navigation panel to the left.

For the record, those on tour were:

• Roger Withers (tour leader and harmonica-player of ill-repute)
• Tony Smith
• Tom Taylor
• Stuart Campbell
• Robin Tyler
• James Harlow
• Ian Gregory
• Chris Dyne
• Greg Munro
• Adam Francis
• Mark "Wato" Watkins
• Mark Thomas
• Peter Wilson

We stayed at the Sugan Hostel which was perfectly pleasant, though Martin does like to read all arriving guests the rules as quickly and firmly as possible.

Thanks to Roger for organizing the travel and accommodation; to Pete for sorting the walks (3MB PDF) and to Adam and Tom for helping to herd the cats safely up and down the hills.

So far, Wales seems to be the target for next year.