We're In Ireland!!!

Caldhame Lodge, Crumlin, Ireland

We are finally here! It seems so long since we began our journey.

When we first started at Buffalo airport the ticket agent informed us that due to rain and thunderstorm delays we may not be able to leave, because we would not make our connecting flight. she encouraged us to wait and see what develops as the the departure times could change - and they did. We board the airbus and began to taxi down the runway, but then we pulled over and stopped for 30-40 minutes! When we did arrive in Pliadelphia, we were arriving as our flight to Dublin was leaving.

In Philly we went to the special services desk to see what arrangements could be made. After a long line of some 50 - 100 people -- they rerouted us and gave us a room for the night and $50 food vouchers. We arrived and were tucked into our Sheraton aloft hotel at about 11:30pm.

While on the flight to Philly, Dad had the opportunity to converse with a young man and share about healthy Christian marriage. While standing in line to be re routed we met Rev. John Maracle "Chief" he heads up the native american fellowship for the Assembly of God Church. Great time of sharing!

The agent had to re route us through Gatwick Airport / London as the flight from Philly to Dublin was full. We spent the day lounging at the hotel and then at 3pm headed for the airport. We made the flight and off to England! Dad sat next to a woman near his age who is an accountant and they chatted through the night. We arrived in England at 630 am and went through customs, and then to Aer Lingus to catch a flight to Dublin!

On the flight to Dublin Dad sat next to a gentleman who is from Ireland, but is with an educational spiritual retreat center in England that caters to Catholic and Anglicans. Was also a great conversation.

So with a rocky start, a lost day, and road weary, we finally made it through customs and went to pick up our luggage -- if it were that easy it wouldn't be a Lowery epic! Standing at the luggage carosel we saw my bag, but Dad's bag didn't make it! The unfortunate part is, it has his meds in it and he's not my size. After standing in line we filled out the form for the bag and they said they would transport the bag to us once it arrived.

On to the rental car -- surprisingly a fairly easy feat to rent, insure, and pick up. We have a GPS which earned its weight in euros just getting out of the airport! We entered the info for our first b and b and hit the road.

Have to say it was a little odd at first, driving from the wrong side of the car, on the wrong side of the road, actually the more I think about it --it seems fairly normal! I discovered that the left lane is for the slow people, and the right lane is for the fast people. Fast people get angry at slow people when they are in the wrong lane. Don't ask me how I know.

Just a few moments ago Dad's bag arrived!!!! Yahoo! Could have been a very long week! He is now shaving and primping and in a few moments we plan to head out and see what we can see, stop at a pub for dinner, and have a good nights rest!

Tomorrow we plan to connect with the Free Methodist Church in Belfast and worship with them. We will then look to spend Monday looking up the ole homestead - Grey Abbey in Co Down.

We are having a great time and seeing wonderful country side. We are learning that our plans are not always God's and we will learn to adjust. We learned that there are more than just good philly cheese steaks in Philly, although Dad does not like fresh mozzarella. . .

We learned that God will supply all of our needs! Looking forward to posting more and some pics tomorrow. . . till then!