After some more informal conversation outlining future plans etc, when we emphasised the importance of Genealogy and the Tourism it has generated in Fermanagh, and especially Enniskillen [He noted all the points and I feel certain he will represent out views to the powers that be]

We all left at about 12noon.

I had arranged for Vynette to be shown around the Castle Barracks and RIF Museum as well as for Barry Bradfield to meet us there at about 12-30pm.

As we drove through the gates Barry was just arriving so I stopped and introduced him to Vynette [Surprise Number one] the gatekeeper told us where to park and we went to reception to ask for Mrs McHugh the Manageress. Yes Sarah is Frank’s wife!!! Sarah showed us parts of the Castle yard, normally out of public bounds and gave us the full tour outside, the rain held off during this time.

We then went to the RIF Museum where we had a great explanation of every aspect of the history of the RIF and could view drawerfulls of Medals. While going round we met a gentleman who's face was very familiar to me but I could not place him until Sarah called him Mr Scott.. The penny dropped when Sarah mentioned my name. Mr Scott said "Pekes" Yes I said He named my dog and I named his mother in laws dog. He is one of the trustees of the museum., and was interested in my story about Arthur Naylor.

He welcomed Vynette and said they were in the process of transcribing many of the diaries and records but that it may be a few years before they will have them available on a website. The finer details have not been ironed out yet but he will let me know.

We then went to the Visitor centre in the CastleBarracks and made a few purchases before making out way to the car park near the Library. We had half an hour to spare before it re-opened after lunch so we went to the cafe at the top of the hill and we had our lunch there. We returned to the Library at 2-05 pm and as Margaret Kane was off duty were went upstairs to the Nawn Collection to meet her assistant. When I introduced Vynette to her she was overjoyed and said what a pleasure to meet the lady who's records they referr to every day. Vynette Barry and myself were invited to view their closed Archives of Fermanagh Historical books. Now while driving Vynette around she had mentioned she would love to meet Bryan Gallagher. "Unbeknown" to Vynette, I had phoned Bryan and arranged for him to meet us at the Library at 2-30pm,. She knew there was someone to meet up with but did not know who, so I declined to visit to the Archived Historical Books and returned downstairs to await !

 Bryan's arrival, while Vynette and Barry were in seventh heaven looking through books no other person had viewed for many a year. Bryan and I found a seat and were fully occupied in each others stories about the past until Barry joined us saying Vynette was sending some emails and would join us shortly.

You should have seen her face when she recognised who her 2nd surprise meeting was with. After about an hour we all went our ways to different places four very happy and satisfield persons. I took Vynette out to meet Molly and had a cuppa with Molly, Manus and Ollies two cousins before I took Vynette back to the Hotel to prepare for the meal tonight.

I hurried out home to get changed and ordered my "Taxi" for 6-45pm.

I arrived back at the hotel at 7pm and Mervyn was ordering a drink at the bar invited me to join them so I asked for a Larger, intending to return the compliment later to him.

It turned out most of the company were Pioneers, so I am sitting here with my second drink of the week. Yes it is Whiskey.  A small one.

John Cunningham is taking Vynette out tomorrow, and Frank is picking Vynette up on Saturday. My next outing will be at about 6-30pm Sunday evening to take Vynette to meet Josie's mother and Josies family. They all want to thank vyneete for her kindness to Josie in her final days on earth.

So for tonight Good night all "Heres tae us! Whas Like us? Deel the wan but's a' Deed"!!

An old Scottish toast. Cheers Vi

 On Friday evening Vynette was in the company of Frank Roofe, this is his story of how the evening went...

I Picked Vynette up at 7.30pm tonight.  Got to the Clinton Centre for 'Fermanagh in Story and Song' and it was a good crowd.  Some real treats.  The music as always was great. 

Very good version of 'Lakes of Ponchartrain from Gaby McArdle.  Marion Maxwell had a couple of lovely stories - Liked her introduction where she said a good story should have four ingredients - Religion, Sex, Aristocracy and a Mystery. [Example - My God, said the Duchess. I'm pregnant!] Her first story focused on Oughterdrum Parish Church near Belleek and her second story focused on a French chef attempting to roast an ox on a barbecue at Crom Castle in the Sixties.  Unfortunately he spent a night on the tiles and he ended up starting his roast six hours too late.   There was some 'rare' beef served that night!

We heard from Bryan Gallagher - beautiful stories, beautifully told.  My own particular favourite 'I dreamt I dwelt in marble halls'.  Always brings a tear to the eye.  But he is so funny.  Always manages to capture the essence of a moment from the past - with a real sense of nostalgia - a time gone that will never be again.   

We finished with a really funny story from Ken Ramsay about the Mill Street Gang ducking into the Ritz cinema to see Christopher Lee's Dracula without paying, only to run out screaming, scared for their lives as Van Helsing was about to drive the stake into Dracula's heart.  Very funny!

We had a treat when the young McKenna's from Derrylin (Ursula on the violin and Damien on the bodhran and singing) treated us to some tunes.  Damien, who is about 11, rounded it off by singing a great song about Fermanagh, and he started off by referring to the Hanging Rock near Belcoo.  Such a great unique voice for one so young.

Those were the highlights for me and I'm sure Vynette had her own special favourites.

I think Vynette really enjoyed it.  I was a bit worried that it might be a bit long, but she seemed very happy.  I did invite her to Blake's, but it was getting a bit late and I dropped her off at the Railway Hotel.

She managed to do a bit of touring with John Cunningham today, but John's car broke down, so they were limited with what they managed to see.  But Vynette is very easy going and nothing seems to faze her. 

Picking her up tomorrow morning at 9.30am and taking her to Portora fields for the Eisenhower / Patten re-enactment.  Then back to the Hotel for some rest and a freshen-up and I pick her up around 1.45pm and take her to the AGM.