Ag plé Durrell san Asilomar

Go iontach, thosaigh mé an mí Iúil ag caith mo seaicéad. Go nádurtha, mbeadh seo go hionduil anseo agus ansin i nÉireann. Ach, ní bhíonn sé i gCalifoirnea Thuas anseo.

Ina theannta sin, chuaigh mé agus Léna go hAsilomar in aice leis an cathair na Sleibh ar an Rí i gCalifoirnea Lárnach. Tá ionad cruinne ag imeall An Tuaisceart ann, go fírinne. Fhán muid ina óstan ar feadh an seachtaine leis fiche duine a plé "The Alexandria Quartet" le Lawrence Durrell. 

Is deacair a labhairt go raibh fuar beag orm roinnt uaireanta ansiud. Is maith liom an aimsir éagsúla ann. Shiúil Léna agus mé ar an claddagh, nuair a bhí ceo, agus nuair a bhí té.

Ith muid leis mic leinn eile i gCarmel dhá uair agus mé leis Léna amháin i Coill Chúin fós. Is maith liom gach trí bhéile (agus fíon, gan amhras, ar bealach Clos Pepe). Bhí mé comhra agam leis an lucht cliste, freisin.

Is dóigh liom ádh a dul go bhfuil siad imithe agus iad go obair leo. Tá mac leinne mo mhac níos sine ar an hOllscoil Mhac Eoin na Tailte Dearg anois; grádaithe Léna sísean féin. Ní chuaigh mé ansin, ach mhúin mé ansin ag an Ollscoil...b'fhéidir, féadfaidh mé aríst an lá amháin.

Discussing Durrell in Asilomar.

Wonderfully, I started the month of July wearing my jacket. Naturally, this may be normal now and then in Ireland. But, it's not in Southern California here.

Furthermore, Layne and I went to Asilomar near the city of Monterey in Central California. The exact location's on the edge of the North, certainly. We stayed in a lodging a week with twenty others to discuss "The Alexandria Quartet" by Lawrence Durrell.

It's hard to say that I was a little cold sometimes up there. I liked the different weather there. Layne and I walked on the seashore, when there was fog, and when there was warmth. 

We ate with other students in Carmel twice and I with Layne alone in Pacific Grove as well. I liked all three meals (and wine, by way of Clos Pepe). I had conversation with a smart set, too.

I feel lucky to have gone and joined them. My older son is a student at Johnston Center at the University of Redlands; Layne graduated from there herself. I did not go there, but I taught at the University there; perhaps I may again one day.(Photo/ Grianghraf: an tra na h/the beach at Asilomar)