And so we arrive in Dublin.

We winged our way from Toronto on an Air Canada 767 aircraft. The Flight Services Manager informed us that we were travelling on the oldest aircraft in their fleet. The flight was memorable as all exit rows were unavailable and we were seated in the central area of the economy cabin jammed up against the toilet wall in seats that didn't recline! The leg room was smaller than all other seats. Kevin had to put his long legs in the aisle where during the rest time with the lights out a crew member carried something along the aisle hitting his right arthritic knee waking him from sleep, the first of three such episodes on the 6 hour flight. We were not really impressed by our first flight with this airline.

As a result of the bad weather and missing our connecting plane we arrived in Dublin on Saturday morning. It was a day later than we had planned. We were held up again as there were VIP passengers, Irish president Mary McAleese and her entourage alighted while we waited for a time that seemed forever! We walked off the plane to be met by our good friend David Rice.

David drove us the one hour journey through the very light traffic to his home. Some of the participants for the gathering from across the world had already arrived and the others arrived later that day. This gathering was the main focus of our journey.

David and Nina Rice live in a rural area out from Dublin. Their home has two living units where the Rices and a sister and brother-i-law live, and the upstairs area allows rooms for guests. Val and Kevin enjoyed a very comfortable upstairs attic style room. Wayne Jacobsen was ensconsed on the same level just down the hallway.

Broken seats on Air Canada 767.