Entertaining guests this summer has been easy with the good weather and more often than not this entertaining involves the guests getting involved in Ballymaloe life. Most evenings Rory Allen takes guests and friends fishing at Ballycotton in his boat “MOLLY DANIEL”.One Sunday evening my family was lucky enough to join in the fishing adventure! While the waves in the harbour were choppy, Rory took us out past the lighthouse to calmer waters. The two boys with us, Sam & Jonathan, cast their rods and within seconds mackerel were biting. They caught 35 mackerel in 15 minutes, often catching 2-3 fish on a line! They were beside themselves with excitement. Despite Rory dislocating his shoulder, when simply putting the rods back on top of the cabin, Jonathan was delighted with the opportunity to drive the boat back to the harbour. After sending Rory to the hospital via ambulance I brought the boys back to Ballymaloe where Jason, the head chef, showed them how to fillet and cook the mackerel, and we all enjoyed the fabulous fresh fish. That was a special night for all of us and thankfully Rory returned home to Ballymaloe in the early hours with his shoulder intact.Daphne
