The weather did it's best to cast a gloom on the warmth of the Irish hospitality at the UK Section International Meeting. Several members from Germany and Switzerland were obliged to cancel their visit, and others took to the comfort of the airliner. Although after many delays the majority of those flying in managed to arrive before dark on the Friday evening, those in G-IFFR succeeded in sliding down the ILS in light rain at noon on the Saturday morning, having been warned on crossing the FIR boundary that the weather at Cork was already below VFR minima and due to deteriorate. With Swansea & Haverfordwest both open behind us we carried on. An hour later, Giorgio Aletti who had flown all the way from Milan in his Malibu, got the report that the weather at Cork & Waterford had gone below the ILS minima and took the wise decision to divert to Biggin Hill.

Two weeks later the tables were turned when they got to the Vendee Air Park while we were obliged to divert en route.
Nevertheless our host Tom Sheridan and his team, well acquainted with the fickle weather, had matters well in hand. The tour of Waterford Crystal factory in the morning, and to Kilkenny Castle in the afternoon, provided a fascinating insight into two long-established aspects of local life, and in place of the intended walking tour of the city on Sunday morning we were greatly entertained by our guide who, with the help of members plucked from the audience, gave us a potted history of the City of Waterford from its founding by the Vikings up to modern times. The blarney had to be heard to be believed ! A couple of hours spent in the modern Granary Museum only went to confirm much of which he had so amusingly recounted.

The highlight of the weekend was the Gala Dinner, a true Irish Banquet, followed by some words of welcome from the Rotary Club President, and a sparkling display by the members of the Irish Folk Dance Team, all beautifully costumed and seeming to enjoy it as much as their audience. Our Chairman, Ian, expressed our thanks to all concerned in his vernacular tongue, translated into English on our behalf by his Vice-Chairman. Truly a memorable evening for everyone.
Some left for home on the Sunday morning, but the Monday being a Bank Holiday, half the party had elected to stay over for another night and explored other local attractions on the Sunday afternoon before uniting for dinner in a local restaurant. Dawn broke on the Monday with clear skies and tail winds and those that had stayed on enjoyed their flight home in conditions very different from those of the previous few days. Tom had promised us a great weekend, and had certainly kept his word.

John D. Ritchie