Plan B won out – a convenient and short ride to East Durham that led to the Shamrock House, a decision made two hours before lunch-time.

Plan A had been to meet in Voorheesville at Blackbirds Tavern but that might still happen in March.

The Blizzard-Bombocyclone forecast for the past several days was scheduled for the evening but it was the light but accumulating light flurries that worried us enough to change plans.

Our Shamrock visit was the first February DP8 date since 2020; our new quorum rule dictates six regulars need to be present.

Previous DP8 Shamrock dates in 2014 and 2021, plus numerous occasions/events, has made SH a familiar and comfortable dining experience even if not a common one.

The menu is good old American cuisine with a hint of Irish thrown in. A couple of corned beef preps, a Shepherd’s pie, and Guinness is the base of the reputation.

The menu consists of several appetizers (the quesadilla attracting a couple), five salads, six sandwich (the Shamrock corned beef Reuben snagged a couple), five burgers (another snag), eight entrées, and a special sheet from which three corn chowders were selected.

            Later, from the special sheet, a chocolate cake was split between Kriss & Don.

Drinks included two or three wine selections, two or three more beer choices, and soda & water.

Service by Nicola, part of the owners’ family, was pleasant and prompt. Well, the arrival of the bill was slow but she thought we were enjoying ourselves and did not want to rush us.

The side room was occupied so we caught a space at the back of the bar area. It was semi-private but was the last place to get heat. Most of us wore coats throughout.

Shamrock is a long established Irish bar. In classic Irish tradition, it is comfortable if not fancy. However, the bar area does exude a hominess that few other local places have.

The bill per couple could have been as little as $40, was more likely to be $50, and 2+ could have added another $20.

Reminder: we voted for March 27 as our next DP8 date, at Blackbirds Tavern, for a re-try.

After 90 minutes, we were glad for a short ride home, groaning about the coming storm. (We would eventually have 6-8 inches. whew)

As usual, we got our fill of news – local and otherwise. And placement at the back of the bar area was a quiet one.

            The big news, of course, was the Bombocyclone Blizzard forecast for later the evening of DP8. After the 15 inches of the earlier storm, and hoping for a quiet lead-in to Spring, we were bummed. We felt sorry, later, for the coastal areas for the misery they encountered but we would escape the worst.

            And with the Notars gone for the winter, and the Monteverds here for most of the winter, we have been pleased to see the Quinns become dependable regulars! (We schedule dour March date just before the Monteverds might get a month in FL.

Other topics: Deb K is progressing well enough that we no longer talk about Deb K progressing (ok, just this last time); Spring Fever will be striking hard this year; county politics, and Joe Stanzione retiring from GC DA; Deb supplying fancy cookies for the Chocolate Shop; Ken’s progress is still on track; the weekly Irish music jam session started up halfway through lunch – just loud enough to be heard, just soft enough for us to talk, and pleasant enough to consider coming back for; health of friends and colleagues – we seem to be getting to THAT age; the deer eating everything, even stuff they have never eaten before (pachysandra?); hoping that the Notars are doing well and enjoying themselves; the price of chocolate – at the specialty shops vs Krause’s; the ages of our children and grandchildren (Tyler is 13?); the differences between children in the same family; propane delivery issues; Kalli hanging tough still; Deb’s horse; line dancing (Ken’s reaction to starting up!); Tim & Judy, Ross & Lynda; Big Woods Rd developments; and more that were list between the falling flakes.