This is really important to me. Goodness knows how I’ll cope, but I’m going to Ennis, arriving there this Thursday. I’m on crutches and my leg is still, 6 1/2 weeks after ripping my calf muscles, quite painful and apt to swell up at any provocation.
So, the thing that is worrying me at the moment (I’ve already blocked out the potential horrors of the journey, bearing in mind that I’m travelling alone) is: how do I find that first session on Thursday evening? I’m used to the festival round and wandering round festival towns looking in at the various sessions until I find one, but I can only hop on my crutches a few yards with a fiddle on my back (I’ve practiced it once, in the house). That being the case, I need to find somewhere quickly and get myself settled down in the session. Otherwise I could be spending four days stuck at the hostel.
Anyone got any ideas, or do you just think I’m bonkers for doing it at all?
Better hope they don’t do a repeat of last november..
(they had four ft of water in the hostel)
http://www.ennistradfestival.com/sessiontrail.htm
Best bet would probably be the closest to yr hostel!
Thanks Will, I’ll try that. That bit worries me quite a lot - my leg has a distressing tendency to swell up if I don’t have it more or less horizontal. It only takes about 5 minutes for this to happen. Right pain, it is. And it does mean that i can;t exactly wanfder around looking for a session. Not that i can wander anyway. But I’m coming anyway.
Mr Gumby - I certainly hope that doesn’t happen. I am not mobile at all really.
I wonder if they have mobility scooters for hire?
If it rains that much it might make things easier for you. A small rubber dinghy. Sitting in the bottom will keep your leg horizontal and you can then freely paddle from session to session.
This was how you got to the Queen’s last year.
Mind you, this week’s flood warning have been withdrawn. It’ll be rain and storm on thursday but (probably) no floods.
Well Ben, despite our numerous ‘disagreements’ on the various forums Id be happy to help you out with a shoulder to lean on. Im planning to get to Brogans thurs night all being well.
I like the dinghy idea. 
Ah well, we’ll just have to see. I’ve never been to Ennis before - don’t know how I’ve missed it - but maybe some of my pals will be there to lend a bit of a hand. Don’t know who’s going yet …
Cross-post, but I’ll leave it up. Will, that is very good of you. Very good indeed. Sincerely, that would be more than welcome. Brogans eh?
You wouldn’t believe how light I’ve packed.
I wonder if crutches could double as oars …
Ennis here I come!
Fortunately the floods held off! so you didn’t need to paddle to the sessions Hope ye had a good time Ben…
I had a great time Will, and greatly appreciated your company in walking me back on that first night.
Ennis is such a friendly place, and I never seemed to be short of fantastic musicians to have a few tunes with. And that’s despite having to take up two whole seats at the session every time!