One of the nice things about traveling

Is the food you get to experience.  Finances being what they are, the one thing I miss is traveling.  I can take everything else, but in our day we did quite a bit of traveling.  Some of it was ministry related.  Often personal.  But we made some pretty good dents in the map in years gone by.  Not so much the last few years.  But we've still had our chances to go hither and yon, if not on a limited basis.

Not great for the culinary experiences we used to enjoy, but you can still touch base with old favorites.  One of ours is quite simply the best Irish Pub on this side of the Atlantic, known rather whimsically as The Irish Rover.  Even when not staying in Louisville, we will adjust our travels to make sure we stop there for a bite and a draught.  It's owned by a bona fide Irishman who routinely goes back to the old country to make sure his recipes are authentic and darn good.  It's not a bar made to look like a pub mind you.  You feel as if you've stepped back a generation or so and into a land of emerald greens half way around the world.

In my Doctoral days, I used to stop there every Wednesday at lunch for fish and chips and (psst, don't tell any Baptists) a glass of Harp.  A Presbyterian minister friend of mine sometimes joined me.  It was an 'everybody knows your name' time when my faith in my own denominational doctrines was being shaken, and my journey toward the Historic Faith was taking shape.

Anyway, we found an article in a Louisville publication that had some of the recipes, and we tried our hand at one of the Rover's more scrumptious offerings - Scotch Eggs (a traditional English dish named after Scotland and served in an Irish Pub).  I have to say, except for using mild rather than spicy sausage, the results were splendid.  My Mom called it the best thing she's eaten since she doesn't know when.  Perhaps we'll get her down there someday for the full options.

A perfectly poured Guinness, eyed playfully by our 'still too young' oldest. 

Before the meal, all eager with anticipation. 

Our little attempt at matching the greatness.  Not bad at all.