tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18561950361371433852024-03-05T03:03:06.560-08:00England GSEDr. Bill Greenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14223773922051783451noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-10833475155857924652009-04-05T14:00:00.000-07:002009-04-05T14:29:22.152-07:00Full Circle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9E8vGlk_e0iIDYAkKNcfJJFgeMZcTy5w-Ov-TYddiv0cWp-7Xrbobs5tpHB5L2yD_4p0YCuAuSKlx9kPUqYDDIfyh6lZvmE51e6HJVwj6GNO9SoT_8rJpv5SD2rKoHN-V9mtWhZjYR0/s1600-h/100_0347.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321320697717937202" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9E8vGlk_e0iIDYAkKNcfJJFgeMZcTy5w-Ov-TYddiv0cWp-7Xrbobs5tpHB5L2yD_4p0YCuAuSKlx9kPUqYDDIfyh6lZvmE51e6HJVwj6GNO9SoT_8rJpv5SD2rKoHN-V9mtWhZjYR0/s320/100_0347.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><div>Dear Rotary Friends:<br /><br />We have now come FULL CIRCLE. The Incoming Team UK has just departed for home.<br /><br />As Team leader for the GSE Outgoing Team from District 7770, I can attest to the fact that we all enjoyed a month of hospitality from our colleagues of District 1070. On return, I was given the opportunity to coordinate the agenda for the Incoming Team. I have developed an enhanced appreciation for all of the behind-the-scenes work which is required to put a visit together. I want to thank once again DG Iain Vernon, GSE Coordinator Colin Bain and all of the coordinators and host families who made our visit spectacular.<br /><br />We <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEzsV8u69y7lhRlrRiC34KWkCDzO33CuvOYxQgskfKzbsafdwMv_uRO76hSqGWXIdus8RMU9QCkGmpbOwL4XxI_VMBchq9JjdNORfzevhVnSz0n5sMeYfal9QeZNR-jeF42hj2mIP2bs/s1600-h/DSCF4108.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321319767056533730" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEzsV8u69y7lhRlrRiC34KWkCDzO33CuvOYxQgskfKzbsafdwMv_uRO76hSqGWXIdus8RMU9QCkGmpbOwL4XxI_VMBchq9JjdNORfzevhVnSz0n5sMeYfal9QeZNR-jeF42hj2mIP2bs/s320/DSCF4108.JPG" border="0" /></a>hosted the team in my area, the Grand Strand of Myrtle Beach, for their first stop of their stay. The leader and the members were an absolute delight. We designed a very fully agenda for them and they held up well. We have closely monitored their exploits on their excellent blog site - http://d1070-d7770.blogspot.com . From the entries, I think it is safe to say that their “Adventure of a Lifetime,” was every bit as fulfilling, satisfying and exhausting as ours.<br /><br />Many of our host families re-joined the UK Team at our District Conference in Columbia, SC. Both the Outgoing and the Incoming Teams were provided ample time to make PowerPoint Presentations to the assembly. 3 members of my team attended, and everyone took the opportunity to Party Hearty.<br /><br />I want to share with you some awesome news. The District Conference was one I will never forget. During the Saturday Night Banquet, awards were presented. To my great surprise, I received the Rotary International Service Above Self Award for my mission work in Haiti. This is presented to only 150 Rotarians. I was INCREDULOUS. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs60Cr-eQj0BNVudwd4pVYiOFNY6O3kFF5DIFCmHjy0rwwiORQacU1PhfemN2Cbd_8LicWYQ2O6SllgI8TXg2doPXcY0S_EzW0l_sKXdy6dKZhqKgVnoRcP75laLVGoUxWcF2TVkbETLg/s1600-h/wgDistConference032609.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321316834231167810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 493px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs60Cr-eQj0BNVudwd4pVYiOFNY6O3kFF5DIFCmHjy0rwwiORQacU1PhfemN2Cbd_8LicWYQ2O6SllgI8TXg2doPXcY0S_EzW0l_sKXdy6dKZhqKgVnoRcP75laLVGoUxWcF2TVkbETLg/s400/wgDistConference032609.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In researching this honor, I have learned, “The Rotary International Service Above Self Award is Rotary's highest honor for individual Rotarians, recognizing those who have displayed exemplary humanitarian service with a focus on active involvement in helping others through Rotary.” We have had only 9 members of District 7770 (S.C.) receive the award since it was instituted in 1991.<br /><br />On this past Friday, my team joined many Rotarians in Charleston for the going away party. Everyone again enjoyed true Rotarian hospitality. It was so sad to see them go.<br /><br />The following morning two team members, Mary Dolan and Eric DiLorenzon, ran a Half Marathon across the Cooper River Bridge. I have yet to hear their results.<br /><br />This will be the final entry in our GSE Blog. Thanks again to so many who made our Rotary GSE experience so memorable.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Bill Greene<br />USA Team Leader<br /><br />PS Bob Parfit from the UK deserves special recognition. Without a doubt, he is the most prolific emailer I have ever seen. He often sends a half dozen witticisms to us each day. We have thoroughly enjoyed his sense of humor and insights on a variety of subjects. Bob, please, keep it up.</div></div></div>Dr. Bill Greenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14223773922051783451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-773509721197918032008-10-17T18:07:00.000-07:002008-10-20T06:14:52.406-07:00Dat,dat,dat,dats All Folks !I have returned safely, though exhausted, from England.<br /><br />My only two regrets from the trip are:<br /><br />1. We could not take our alternate members and team leaders with us.<br /><br />2. Time constraints would not permit my team members to join me for my last 3 days sightseeing in London.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06HvZD_bCp4nIzfmNa8_O-r3T6HbCuSfcWwIbk8veknXSxgWmiIOloSTIqqCb6f0UDYRbvvvxFKoAZ9aVjSn9Oe8jaw0S9dTtBXEjZhh94ki4vO9YZAc-AfLwlddVNozxgITmTal18Y4/s1600-h/100_0674.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258295357148880546" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06HvZD_bCp4nIzfmNa8_O-r3T6HbCuSfcWwIbk8veknXSxgWmiIOloSTIqqCb6f0UDYRbvvvxFKoAZ9aVjSn9Oe8jaw0S9dTtBXEjZhh94ki4vO9YZAc-AfLwlddVNozxgITmTal18Y4/s200/100_0674.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I had a ball, albeit alone. I stayed in the theatre district at the Strand Palace Hotel, on the advice of a Rotarian friend. I learned that a significant amount of money buys a very small room in London.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9Te_OKepYHJUq80Kw-hNHg9R1RWslO-uGJC9k-XOBO5bOT4nbUmV3y-24ajQP4gnLptCx66gAeuDwHytv0R0nxGNR9pA42s-gMiKF8sl8Rglvz2VT4n3w65wP-GnO6Zna07KFdRqjig/s1600-h/100_0679.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258295667406978594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9Te_OKepYHJUq80Kw-hNHg9R1RWslO-uGJC9k-XOBO5bOT4nbUmV3y-24ajQP4gnLptCx66gAeuDwHytv0R0nxGNR9pA42s-gMiKF8sl8Rglvz2VT4n3w65wP-GnO6Zna07KFdRqjig/s200/100_0679.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The first day, I took the open top, double-decker bus around the city. That evening, I got a ticket to see a Broadway play, “The Jersey Boys,” considering myself to be from New Jersey. I then strolled around to see the night sites.<br /><br />The second day, I was still permitted to ride the bus, so I saw the remaining western portion of the city. I went to the Tower of <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6y-y97jKGSsRzKeMqbt9FX3aDTCbXWFA_fCFUK3UVZXrg91Y49mlbiaOE95sIu7AvT8H0oZgxJ-3GZZBEiR2q8cRVXz9hTjEUozgm2GwKcdXBBFM23t9x-sOOpDR3S-3L-c4Lm0o4F9A/s1600-h/100_0697.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258296007638773762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6y-y97jKGSsRzKeMqbt9FX3aDTCbXWFA_fCFUK3UVZXrg91Y49mlbiaOE95sIu7AvT8H0oZgxJ-3GZZBEiR2q8cRVXz9hTjEUozgm2GwKcdXBBFM23t9x-sOOpDR3S-3L-c4Lm0o4F9A/s200/100_0697.jpg" border="0" /></a>London, and viewed the vast royal jewel collection with the Beefeaters’ tour. After earlier visits to wonderful cathedrals (Peterborough and Lincoln), I was blown away at St. Paul’s in London.<br /><br />The third day, I went to the Natural History and Science Museums and Kew Gardens (botanical gardens). I took a train ride to a hotel near Gatwick to stay the night, and left without incident the following morning, for the long journey home.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb74ZPOz9tXT-hQoatP3a63VYLE8KzOfQuki22UyoKOT3rrhBtd3Sj_kvpaQZ4r4Q9be7u6XGiwNnOJUmK3McPRrfm-qwdsgdTkz7LfiWJyoTMGJDQJVd1KI-FzeWYCpP0zD86wjQdoBs/s1600-h/100_0685.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258296312092675186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb74ZPOz9tXT-hQoatP3a63VYLE8KzOfQuki22UyoKOT3rrhBtd3Sj_kvpaQZ4r4Q9be7u6XGiwNnOJUmK3McPRrfm-qwdsgdTkz7LfiWJyoTMGJDQJVd1KI-FzeWYCpP0zD86wjQdoBs/s200/100_0685.jpg" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258485811686150418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="199" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xtcWJxfHULDV-rbAf3Udm0sIC6Ytdd8_e3cJJj3YftJgnV-QNFWRfogK8P04icZnzoZ3r6L6KnL0YR92hpUNvKksYVoxtQ4tYM9LOZwt2W5o3cdPLySWKx7_sg8pP6-hskHtU1cZIts/s200/100_0682.jpg" width="248" border="0" /><br />I want to recognize each of the members of my team: Mary, Colette, Joe and Eric.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKICYoYmWefkF5x-A8VbbLTcPSn5t_xNR3hsr5OgnGZrGBvGuPIK4-DO90P80sLOqxzzdHJW4aXfoZF29RepkDAuWl2VlfduTMu8BBALN292nI5U_mlwISzKABr0IhBcGhksfKDSBaIqU/s1600-h/coleette.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258299217693685554" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 307px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 280px" height="150" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKICYoYmWefkF5x-A8VbbLTcPSn5t_xNR3hsr5OgnGZrGBvGuPIK4-DO90P80sLOqxzzdHJW4aXfoZF29RepkDAuWl2VlfduTMu8BBALN292nI5U_mlwISzKABr0IhBcGhksfKDSBaIqU/s200/coleette.jpg" width="460" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasKNVEpFq0x0gVzLrCXGppRCRDSjwGfOlyniN14QnCH241m1Yg6aRNMDDhKQEgezDFScvaD34uePvZ70xU1ZsTFKl-_Ox7qCpcod6Xp6CmJPJ07M6YF_Er8qgIuDYTh7Po5NiTg0wq4s/s1600-h/mary2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258487106183329266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="246" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasKNVEpFq0x0gVzLrCXGppRCRDSjwGfOlyniN14QnCH241m1Yg6aRNMDDhKQEgezDFScvaD34uePvZ70xU1ZsTFKl-_Ox7qCpcod6Xp6CmJPJ07M6YF_Er8qgIuDYTh7Po5NiTg0wq4s/s200/mary2.jpg" width="214" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBUMT5lybt6h35OpHT5rZDYK4XrbV8fIFUNB4j7zTOKQk3Q87h4Mb8H-WuIOZgpI8kq6nYD3OIBmyI0jn_mlXSKvvQZyv1gwpU15O38FIXGPCvxsaaEEG0m9J7tvzAH5j2SV8zEGVfx4/s1600-h/joe.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258299212056678418" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="243" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBUMT5lybt6h35OpHT5rZDYK4XrbV8fIFUNB4j7zTOKQk3Q87h4Mb8H-WuIOZgpI8kq6nYD3OIBmyI0jn_mlXSKvvQZyv1gwpU15O38FIXGPCvxsaaEEG0m9J7tvzAH5j2SV8zEGVfx4/s200/joe.jpg" width="273" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvEvzmI4ljXz8EceT2WVeqX7By5qnys_pEUX-lpvYq2AwTNiHB6-8vQ4JJvjHN7f6Op8TjXEfudWlJBqtjEpdX1W6bnpKY1OrVZXxim8kb70q1jRWBZt1Y7X3YwAH3Dddp4LpNVGDTSw/s1600-h/eric.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258297458809927858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="228" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvEvzmI4ljXz8EceT2WVeqX7By5qnys_pEUX-lpvYq2AwTNiHB6-8vQ4JJvjHN7f6Op8TjXEfudWlJBqtjEpdX1W6bnpKY1OrVZXxim8kb70q1jRWBZt1Y7X3YwAH3Dddp4LpNVGDTSw/s200/eric.jpg" width="322" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I believe the secret to our success was our recruiting. We had 18 candidates for 4 positions, so we were able to choose the best of the best. We really experienced no significant problems. The members were outgoing, intelligent, respectful and appreciative of all that our hosts provided. They bonded well and were supportive of one another.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghl5wzDApe1tTbbcKx7KO20W8fKKQTg38ptxqnxuWE9SiXUTkzgsiIs_-Cz3a5hjQZ9DL_Lpas76ABYwGbJ3DdvMe7iINnzvJ7iRnZf7IUGSbtA5YY3BFcnPhnUN-h7ZHksVOm56yPk9I/s1600-h/100_0490.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258299935342066050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="234" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghl5wzDApe1tTbbcKx7KO20W8fKKQTg38ptxqnxuWE9SiXUTkzgsiIs_-Cz3a5hjQZ9DL_Lpas76ABYwGbJ3DdvMe7iINnzvJ7iRnZf7IUGSbtA5YY3BFcnPhnUN-h7ZHksVOm56yPk9I/s200/100_0490.jpg" width="262" border="0" /></a><br />Their “stage presentations” were resourceful, humorous and articulate. They were excellent representatives of the USA and of the Rotary clubs which sponsored them. I want to thank them for all of their individual efforts to make us a success. I believe our most important performance was at the District Conference. The praise we received made me very proud.<br /><br />On the day before our departure, District Governor Iain Vernon presented me with a gift of a beautiful flower vase, with an etched glass Rotary wheel and the District 1070 insignia. The attached card thanked the team for a job well-done.<br /><br /><br />I have hurriedly uploaded more than 1,000 photos to share with those who have followed our blog. Unfortunately, my camera and computer did not keep them in chronological order. Feel free to download and use our photos from the following sites:<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/GUDOC96/WebAlbumWG101408?authkey=20Jl5oHKFe0WebAlbumWG101408?authkey=20Jl5oHKFe0" target="_blank">http://picasaweb.google.com/GUDOC96/WebAlbumWG101408?authkey=20Jl5oHKFe0WebAlbumWG101408?authkey=20Jl5oHKFe0</a>#<br /><br />http://picasaweb.google.com/GUDOC96/GSEphotosWG?authkey=PMg5aUrE31A#<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/GUDOC96/GSEPhotosWG2?authkey=91bRq-xFXYo" target="_blank">http://picasaweb.google.com/GUDOC96/GSEPhotosWG2?authkey=91bRq-xFXYo</a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/GUDOC96/GSEPhotoFunnyEric?authkey=a91uqRcRT8U" target="_blank">http://picasaweb.google.com/GUDOC96/GSEPhotoFunnyEric?authkey=a91uqRcRT8U</a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/GUDOC96/GSEPhotosColette?authkey=R9cwdugAeFA" target="_blank">http://picasaweb.google.com/GUDOC96/GSEPhotosColette?authkey=R9cwdugAeFA</a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/GUDOC96/GSEPhotosJoe?authkey=cEtwnuT4DWc" target="_blank">http://picasaweb.google.com/GUDOC96/GSEPhotosJoe?authkey=cEtwnuT4DWc</a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/MaryM.Dolan" target="_blank">http://picasaweb.google.com/MaryM.Dolan</a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/cdegarady/EnglandGSEPhotos" target="_blank">http://picasaweb.google.com/cdegarady/EnglandGSEPhotos</a>#<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXC8yxY0Bd_VftE1opjN933f-OPssagDzT4gb3yVFd5OIMpR3O82L91-YwMZFARe8W3P3tyQ1Xp_aH6ABiNUR7Me7L1KHbZaDV5ZnDuhZxKcJlG2KcvP-Hh8BDEgX-Yd2_4epQJhq_WGk/s1600-h/100_0635.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258488065789991922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXC8yxY0Bd_VftE1opjN933f-OPssagDzT4gb3yVFd5OIMpR3O82L91-YwMZFARe8W3P3tyQ1Xp_aH6ABiNUR7Me7L1KHbZaDV5ZnDuhZxKcJlG2KcvP-Hh8BDEgX-Yd2_4epQJhq_WGk/s320/100_0635.jpg" border="0" /></a>Our team members will be available for presentations at Rotary clubs in District 7770 in the coming months. We have wonderful stories to share, and welcome invitations from clubs that have interest in GSE.<br /><br /><br /><div align="left">Regrettably, we are only permitted to be members of one GSE team. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">But, we have returned from our adventure with memories and friends who will last a lifetime.<br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000099;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000099;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000099;"><strong></strong></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000099;"><strong>ROTARY JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER.</strong></span> </div>Dr. Bill Greenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14223773922051783451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-20265249902839315222008-10-12T10:48:00.000-07:002008-11-02T05:51:52.150-08:00Wrapping upAs the journalist in this group and a lover of words, it would seem on the surface as though it should be easy to summarize our trip, summarize our experience, summarize what we learned. But, as I sit at home in Sumter, South Carolina, a day after returning from a whirlwind four-week tour of England, I find myself at a loss for the right words. It's impossible to capture and convey all that I'd like, but I'll do my best.<br /><br />I should start by saying, first and foremost, this trip proved to be life-changing for me and my teammates. I think no one would argue we are walking away forever changed by this experience. But now I must back up.<br /><br />It's amazing how quickly the four weeks went by. It's even more amazing when I think this trip only materialized for me and my teammates four and a half months before we boarded a plane for England. We interviewed for spots on this GSE team back in April, and shortly thereafter, we were notified of our selection. Prior to that point in time, none of us knew one another and none of us knew we'd be traveling across the Atlantic in the middle of September for a month-long stay.<br /><br />But as the weeks of summer progressed, our team began to meet, began to make our plans, began to create our group presentation. And on Sept. 12, we gathered, no longer strangers, at the airport in Charlotte and embarked on our journey. Four weeks later, on Oct. 11, we gathered once again -- and this time not just as acquaintances, but as friends -- and returned back to the States.<br /><br />So much happened in between.<br /><br />During the four weeks my team and I were in England, we stayed with eight different host families, immersed ourselves in the country and the culture, took part in vocational experiences and toured buildings and towns and cities steeped in history.<br /><br />Our trip was to Rotary District 1070, situated in the East Midlands of England, and therefore the spots we visited, for the most part, were within that district. We stayed in Peterborough, Lecicester, the Deepings, Sleaford, Stamford, Northampton, Wellingborough and Brackley, with a weekend stop in the coastal city of Torquay thrown in the mix.<br /><br />What made this trip truly exceptional -- at least in part -- was that we did stay in people's homes, rather than in hotels. We gained so much from this. The people we stayed with opened their homes to us as though we were family, sat down with us for meals and engaged us in riveting conversation. The kindness and hospitality we were shown was incredible.<br /><br />And when we weren't at home with our hosts -- enjoying delectable English cuisine -- we were seeing the sights or learning about our careers in that country. Days alternated between tours of churches, cathedrals, castles and museums and visits to places of work comparable to our own back home. So much learning took place on both accounts. We amassed a great deal of knowledge and understanding of the rich history of the buildings and cities we visited. And our vocational visits allowed us to compare notes with how we did things back home. We gained information to take back home that will aid us in our careers and tried to pass along some helpful hints of our own.<br /><br />And now, after a month of meeting some of the kindest people I've ever met, learning more than I thought was possible in four weeks' time, accumulating memories I'll keep with me forever and making several terrific new friends out of my teammates, I'm back home. I now am charged with the seemingly impossible task of expressing my gratitude to everyone who made this trip possible.<br /><br />I am so incredibly grateful to Rotary International and all of the Rotarians who enabled me to have this experience. I have been impacted both personally and professionally, and I will forever be indebted.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />MaryMaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05078447738820364478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-32934358417626400292008-10-12T09:55:00.000-07:002008-10-12T10:48:07.926-07:00Conference at TorquayThe gala at The George Hotel on the Saturday of conference weekend:<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTjcx9UD1JxsKV_Ux2OQYgMGKzOXktWIInV8-icc7BO3MtbsbdTOErgnNqCaG_Y7tfTu__wosbZBGbL5o2idjvqNNPjMUvLNYvxP8p4GOyai71tKVMeqwISfsCHZBhCdVoO6nWeWoztas/s1600-h/DSC01434(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256317339779765938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTjcx9UD1JxsKV_Ux2OQYgMGKzOXktWIInV8-icc7BO3MtbsbdTOErgnNqCaG_Y7tfTu__wosbZBGbL5o2idjvqNNPjMUvLNYvxP8p4GOyai71tKVMeqwISfsCHZBhCdVoO6nWeWoztas/s320/DSC01434(web).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDV116YuOpcVY9OnJttoP40sNZtopToy2x5ByjzztBLM-LjeLOqeUBkTxtm-4G_htvLeAS7rtWMTQN4lkj7COKM3MdNuBtsAjF7jo2JrxMUN8kOBypRtFAXmwpQ6GZOZw-0jHL5syQDV1/s1600-h/DSC01436(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256317344264469714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDV116YuOpcVY9OnJttoP40sNZtopToy2x5ByjzztBLM-LjeLOqeUBkTxtm-4G_htvLeAS7rtWMTQN4lkj7COKM3MdNuBtsAjF7jo2JrxMUN8kOBypRtFAXmwpQ6GZOZw-0jHL5syQDV1/s320/DSC01436(web).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIwxhUTdQI/AAAAAAAAAMI/y-k1nuMOhlQ/s1600-h/DSC01440(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256317342410044674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIwxhUTdQI/AAAAAAAAAMI/y-k1nuMOhlQ/s320/DSC01440(web).JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Our big presentation at the conference:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEMo1OWfB9eYFOI7jp85GhWEunaEv8F5DU_rWuFC8bsQ4ZRyEvRGnivbfYeLP6DBHjKiFVT7mt1hdW557WuVp4aY-v5nKgrGLLSbNAmUqemhOBdCVUE52pUST2Gtwkf11RFdKGloe-oYI/s1600-h/DSC01465(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256316552056341218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEMo1OWfB9eYFOI7jp85GhWEunaEv8F5DU_rWuFC8bsQ4ZRyEvRGnivbfYeLP6DBHjKiFVT7mt1hdW557WuVp4aY-v5nKgrGLLSbNAmUqemhOBdCVUE52pUST2Gtwkf11RFdKGloe-oYI/s320/DSC01465(web).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9uJT1mFTXLRgGWl8uOMkPbGoKpSA0YBA4Rgv_ShoDGivXZKoaSa8kyq7SSfz9Q69IIpbcmj-TeemjYGpfcE6uuftb2WpGZxk35b9vix6tUvpZJZsxpOQgMPiCr4vR6Xo68zIRtEqyAP2/s1600-h/DSC01472(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256316555972972370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9uJT1mFTXLRgGWl8uOMkPbGoKpSA0YBA4Rgv_ShoDGivXZKoaSa8kyq7SSfz9Q69IIpbcmj-TeemjYGpfcE6uuftb2WpGZxk35b9vix6tUvpZJZsxpOQgMPiCr4vR6Xo68zIRtEqyAP2/s320/DSC01472(web).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIvx9D1IVI/AAAAAAAAALY/qQE2xFH7xVc/s1600-h/DSC01460(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256316250345513298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIvx9D1IVI/AAAAAAAAALY/qQE2xFH7xVc/s320/DSC01460(web).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3-Y09_g4cX1Ri1Sr_q8AHmrsaY2Gf24KTu-q6p4Yoz6PiP0HavDOawZ31vrb2ETeUulnQ4YetIcREb_5gigr-PQ3c0MxXXRuaucWbTk6T5pX5nnqWpWb_lKPk_VAZOfWQDP83E1MoUx3/s1600-h/DSC01462(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256316249991774482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3-Y09_g4cX1Ri1Sr_q8AHmrsaY2Gf24KTu-q6p4Yoz6PiP0HavDOawZ31vrb2ETeUulnQ4YetIcREb_5gigr-PQ3c0MxXXRuaucWbTk6T5pX5nnqWpWb_lKPk_VAZOfWQDP83E1MoUx3/s320/DSC01462(web).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIvghGuxxI/AAAAAAAAALQ/rtN-1iZ7n1w/s1600-h/DSC01456(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256315950783710994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIvghGuxxI/AAAAAAAAALQ/rtN-1iZ7n1w/s320/DSC01456(web).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Beautiful Torquay!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIsaKkjoVI/AAAAAAAAAKw/1fIVvu4h22w/s1600-h/DSC01474(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256312543120695634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIsaKkjoVI/AAAAAAAAAKw/1fIVvu4h22w/s320/DSC01474(web).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfpioNzBE5PWf-TqV3AJO6KEjTHg9jB3MDv9vykxOJI0g0a1JNQLQApqTZ-BaEiofZX6qcfV_o1po87mKwAoOEXnUBf2z9-Osmh-YZzUcnWI3c5C0k3msYoSxyQf41QPtR5hY2i5uib5t/s1600-h/DSC01478(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256312546716495218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfpioNzBE5PWf-TqV3AJO6KEjTHg9jB3MDv9vykxOJI0g0a1JNQLQApqTZ-BaEiofZX6qcfV_o1po87mKwAoOEXnUBf2z9-Osmh-YZzUcnWI3c5C0k3msYoSxyQf41QPtR5hY2i5uib5t/s320/DSC01478(web).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIsacXVwhI/AAAAAAAAALA/E3t1KmzJs1w/s1600-h/DSC01484(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256312547897098770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIsacXVwhI/AAAAAAAAALA/E3t1KmzJs1w/s320/DSC01484(web).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIsaY7GgBI/AAAAAAAAALI/_AgwavCiD_Q/s1600-h/DSC01489(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256312546973351954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIsaY7GgBI/AAAAAAAAALI/_AgwavCiD_Q/s320/DSC01489(web).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05078447738820364478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-781848327524924652008-10-12T06:50:00.000-07:002008-10-12T07:06:55.232-07:00NorthamptonshireSome shots from our time in Northamptonshire:<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIC5wyMlOI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/nbcEP0byWEQ/s1600-h/DSC01368(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256266906466030818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIC5wyMlOI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/nbcEP0byWEQ/s320/DSC01368(web).JPG" border="0" /></a> The view just outside the cottage where I was staying -- what a beautiful village green!</div><br /><br />Stowe Gardens:<br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HsAAv7TmXiNh6tjLPPhDEagRK8Ys9D3k9jDXnb3PFbXYAFtxJsekxA8vpdsQqAyd2E7rA_v7un51CeNH3XmgzAlR9gRmFOno5DUV94b4Mxy9wB0oX7yw0Vjf6t54EBLPQlsgPVUnuzCJ/s1600-h/EnglandPart9+015(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256265905907392146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HsAAv7TmXiNh6tjLPPhDEagRK8Ys9D3k9jDXnb3PFbXYAFtxJsekxA8vpdsQqAyd2E7rA_v7un51CeNH3XmgzAlR9gRmFOno5DUV94b4Mxy9wB0oX7yw0Vjf6t54EBLPQlsgPVUnuzCJ/s320/EnglandPart9+015(web).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyX6qnEtxfLsEnDh1XOINXasi3DELNEBZW7TWKBMmQWau9NLPHncoFgaU8-rzb9_S8CeFFMIQu7N68RE1L6iMa8UFnLp_ZT_CQJeer_bpbbt5ItK76_3QJSWU4Rhkwr2LTxqsGlC5Q1DP/s1600-h/EnglandPart9+019(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256265913867707170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyX6qnEtxfLsEnDh1XOINXasi3DELNEBZW7TWKBMmQWau9NLPHncoFgaU8-rzb9_S8CeFFMIQu7N68RE1L6iMa8UFnLp_ZT_CQJeer_bpbbt5ItK76_3QJSWU4Rhkwr2LTxqsGlC5Q1DP/s320/EnglandPart9+019(web).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7Wq6qaM1nGCndeVKta3WsMmYTCQyUyWCABj6gyP57IbWkYFbnvezzy7eDFQ3Brme6TUrfxYKoceF9Jo6-1yi_o2MltR4Qz2VOhI7YiXuZqxVnPnbd7d37iClMQwa_G6m-E9tb2_FB2Pc/s1600-h/EnglandPart9+021(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256265912790827506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7Wq6qaM1nGCndeVKta3WsMmYTCQyUyWCABj6gyP57IbWkYFbnvezzy7eDFQ3Brme6TUrfxYKoceF9Jo6-1yi_o2MltR4Qz2VOhI7YiXuZqxVnPnbd7d37iClMQwa_G6m-E9tb2_FB2Pc/s320/EnglandPart9+021(web).jpg" border="0" /></a> (I felt adventurous when I saw this tree -- it's the perfect tree for climbing!)<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPICANIRfgI/AAAAAAAAAKA/gOfuQtVyZP8/s1600-h/EnglandPart9+026(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256265917642407426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPICANIRfgI/AAAAAAAAAKA/gOfuQtVyZP8/s320/EnglandPart9+026(web).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPICAOcuMTI/AAAAAAAAAKI/2MDrNFKUr4s/s1600-h/EnglandPart9+034(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256265917996609842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPICAOcuMTI/AAAAAAAAAKI/2MDrNFKUr4s/s320/EnglandPart9+034(web).jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Our walk through North Brington:</div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIA7zrvQEI/AAAAAAAAAJA/beRQtrqffXI/s1600-h/EnglandPart9+006(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256264742580731970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIA7zrvQEI/AAAAAAAAAJA/beRQtrqffXI/s320/EnglandPart9+006(web).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIA775gPcI/AAAAAAAAAJI/9Ls1lNXlbew/s1600-h/EnglandPart9+008(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256264744785952194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIA775gPcI/AAAAAAAAAJI/9Ls1lNXlbew/s320/EnglandPart9+008(web).jpg" border="0" /></a> This is Althorp, Princess Di's brother's home and where Diana lived for a while.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIA75dMJpI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/49bczzl2SzE/s1600-h/EnglandPart9+010(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256264744130324114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIA75dMJpI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/49bczzl2SzE/s320/EnglandPart9+010(web).jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the church with Diana's family, the Spencer family's, crypt.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtM4Zgjs13ldUOpb48KhYTZXmKG0tO4lyEpSj1wVYDlPFNqot7j2VoKO-XXrbELOsYrw9q-3zAPAXZ-kNGvXzoQx52kL_x5xO7HdLyMBPqjnh2Lg6hnCPZMyflqwwpxqPHERoQGqV0pPyk/s1600-h/DSC01399(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256264747106708978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtM4Zgjs13ldUOpb48KhYTZXmKG0tO4lyEpSj1wVYDlPFNqot7j2VoKO-XXrbELOsYrw9q-3zAPAXZ-kNGvXzoQx52kL_x5xO7HdLyMBPqjnh2Lg6hnCPZMyflqwwpxqPHERoQGqV0pPyk/s320/DSC01399(web).JPG" border="0" /></a> The Northampton group taught us how to play skittles!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIA8aVYC-I/AAAAAAAAAJg/r0cwvqq8N4U/s1600-h/DSC01405(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256264752955919330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPIA8aVYC-I/AAAAAAAAAJg/r0cwvqq8N4U/s320/DSC01405(web).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05078447738820364478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-11992904768822358042008-10-12T06:21:00.000-07:002008-10-12T06:45:08.782-07:00Some vocational shotsOne of the best vocational visits I had was to the Northampton Chronicle and Echo. I was there almost a full day, and I got to speak with editor Peter Clarke, several reporters and staff members, and even went over to court with the court reporter.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPH6bUx1WoI/AAAAAAAAAIg/NBEy7Yphl9A/s1600-h/DSC01385(small).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256257587459218050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPH6bUx1WoI/AAAAAAAAAIg/NBEy7Yphl9A/s320/DSC01385(small).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPH6bvXJ_nI/AAAAAAAAAIo/CTDGVe-2KOg/s1600-h/DSC01386(small).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256257594595081842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SPH6bvXJ_nI/AAAAAAAAAIo/CTDGVe-2KOg/s320/DSC01386(small).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCOI_XUnZAoVyPD9R-Ubn679tu0z7jDWnKmisx7SjB4HMqWFG23RoTCovjU5cIQ8B1mLCEEGrW1QInWJhKKK4S1zqirCk14FGcDA0c0IHSEimcgrbPJBIdFbF0JNuHwxyGz42xHVL5nS-/s1600-h/DSC01387(small).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256257597651393618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCOI_XUnZAoVyPD9R-Ubn679tu0z7jDWnKmisx7SjB4HMqWFG23RoTCovjU5cIQ8B1mLCEEGrW1QInWJhKKK4S1zqirCk14FGcDA0c0IHSEimcgrbPJBIdFbF0JNuHwxyGz42xHVL5nS-/s320/DSC01387(small).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15rM_O0LkaGCDCxLBxVraq1awNynPLgF65fDL_7nv2UhqWB62eJEujUgrczecdy124KkOpCOYdaem5IQNlntTVEh5qZp4ojN_8xZCmCLGY_5JBPv1tFEwzXi7BXN8kyZsAYF3Ji1nAqzE/s1600-h/DSC013889(small).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256257611224945074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15rM_O0LkaGCDCxLBxVraq1awNynPLgF65fDL_7nv2UhqWB62eJEujUgrczecdy124KkOpCOYdaem5IQNlntTVEh5qZp4ojN_8xZCmCLGY_5JBPv1tFEwzXi7BXN8kyZsAYF3Ji1nAqzE/s320/DSC013889(small).JPG" border="0" /></a> I loved the old equipment they kept on site as a reminder of days gone by!<br /><div></div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05078447738820364478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-70843227452441414082008-10-12T05:08:00.000-07:002008-10-12T05:11:32.023-07:00And we're backI can't believe it -- four weeks of immersion in the UK have come to an end. It went by so fast, and yet, it also felt like we'd been there forever and had made friends we'd known for years. I'm sorry I was unable to update more often; my limited computer/Internet access made it tough to find ways to update. But I promise to post more pictures, as well as a final synopsis. GSE England's still going strong!Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05078447738820364478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-28795320248453077312008-10-07T10:07:00.000-07:002008-10-07T10:19:45.995-07:00Final note from Colette<div><br /><br /><div>I can't believe its almost time to go home on Saturday. This had been such a tremendous visit!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxbiqhExJAFFLC7jwLQjIbQ8OJp6-2FhXtCkjXYJd39CvuWC3Sca_BWJ2PQadd-zE4BuIJyC-O4veHVoRYgHXWxjMdrA48sIBYtQOqOdvFJ-rOaCNgxULL3WDT8EgzcZUl3ksgx7uJHO-/s1600-h/Colette+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254460368341098418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxbiqhExJAFFLC7jwLQjIbQ8OJp6-2FhXtCkjXYJd39CvuWC3Sca_BWJ2PQadd-zE4BuIJyC-O4veHVoRYgHXWxjMdrA48sIBYtQOqOdvFJ-rOaCNgxULL3WDT8EgzcZUl3ksgx7uJHO-/s320/Colette+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>You can see from Bills Blog that we enjoyed Torquay and gained a lot from the district conference! </div></div><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254460750141865218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwbL_zfP452v66y-xw53xLU4S8Pn0yKy3r-70bPIHH5mVvyfcmu3M9FZCYKuQsQcdfeRXqanuY_zbI2rRjWlf28J_OF38joqynPmwTRlVjkMw2aN4djoiaiBKqL7Pbq3gLp6FYTVuMW6P/s320/Colette+002.jpg" border="0" />My hosts Lionel and Mary, stopped by Stratford-upon-Avon on the way home and gave me the Shakespear tour.<br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254461362270240738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiclt5pV5DdrF8kUIVtfvtJ2m54_VcT30UV3-SNnrytUqeX8Jhgmjijg8z4A3tQ24qcXrdYycnYUAgE0n-VGsPFq3KgWmShedLDSghIs_gaZDg0pUgILlMub76w4NFtUtcdyk3p8oxOm0/s320/Colette+003.jpg" border="0" />We also stopped to see the 14th Century Warick Castle.</div><br /><div></div><div> </div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254461881390326146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YpKw8HbJwsXvojy14MIS5GnG25ypggp2kzGSf-CtVjfNxhuZJACN12o73xKVnyyzwl4ojepn8joomyUBsJsehyphenhyphenYuqGUGfcYzQMo0AsaYkZcWlghuxth-o2YYdRbAIwI99SlTqiOlwIbs/s320/Colette+007.jpg" border="0" />But its not only historic sight-seeing. I'm also learning a lot from my vocational visits with more conservation organizations. Today I spent time with RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), a sister organization to the Audubon Society, to learn about restoration of heathlands from non-native woodlands. A highlight was observing a pair of green woodpeckers foraging on the ground (a-typical of the woodpeckers from the US).<br /><div> </div></div>Colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16722038093420510389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-72956490470856730092008-10-05T14:33:00.000-07:002008-10-06T01:17:47.412-07:00District 1070 Assembly : SHOWTIME<div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253786791062406626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW82tLXlnYoMXZGetWLC1f0Xw6PS6HR9amOS77J58k3QSKbw2ZVorW00Ee79EyqWoyQ6NYKLn14xtYaJn8sxtpbE63QjZKaRz9uilPxseiqi43SXoYNZLZgAf4bOsPctggPhJBMObfDCw/s200/torquaysign.jpg" border="0" />Our weekend visit to Torquay on the southern shore of the British Isles became the high point of our GSE adventure. Host families took us on a 6 hour journey, southeast <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoxc4oUHZvyaTNUK0Neg_A_DdqBIouakEpJRw8nQ2mV4eJD8z0RM7SeT6Ipx0Guo1HkCTeahyphenhyphen60CkR5KZlfO_Xib26K7S2Fr-Wl1LyrQKLfLwUQcZsNMpCpAYi445vHzLgOWUKOY8pVU/s1600-h/atorquay.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253795303187330994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoxc4oUHZvyaTNUK0Neg_A_DdqBIouakEpJRw8nQ2mV4eJD8z0RM7SeT6Ipx0Guo1HkCTeahyphenhyphen60CkR5KZlfO_Xib26K7S2Fr-Wl1LyrQKLfLwUQcZsNMpCpAYi445vHzLgOWUKOY8pVU/s200/atorquay.jpg" border="0" /></a>from the Midlands, to the Grand Hotel.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5H3o55UK_Z9rwUbVJLnd2hPAEbG-aYDy7O3b_Rs9bwm8q2Z-jOet7bfsBbErwvK2zqpbVP3JERsB1wSSWcS2eHQNq6ZSxGhYmpyGa-Ki779PI07KkpJwT2ryVdYc_u9AD7X4bZIUJu8/s1600-h/torquayrun.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253786798994951170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5H3o55UK_Z9rwUbVJLnd2hPAEbG-aYDy7O3b_Rs9bwm8q2Z-jOet7bfsBbErwvK2zqpbVP3JERsB1wSSWcS2eHQNq6ZSxGhYmpyGa-Ki779PI07KkpJwT2ryVdYc_u9AD7X4bZIUJu8/s200/torquayrun.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCslR-uH3vj-g3Vgu6Sow0IcVV1kteU_AF6JMI3DSYldExRzpI2EJrbakJY18wEeC-686bI5oHbSshUzoXfhI_escZ0Q6pktaAyeNeBbgQh29_GAvHTIzI6J2gP15fVQlFTL7Z4HoX5DU/s1600-h/assemblycrowd2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253787486970280898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCslR-uH3vj-g3Vgu6Sow0IcVV1kteU_AF6JMI3DSYldExRzpI2EJrbakJY18wEeC-686bI5oHbSshUzoXfhI_escZ0Q6pktaAyeNeBbgQh29_GAvHTIzI6J2gP15fVQlFTL7Z4HoX5DU/s200/assemblycrowd2.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7w_vASTFulrbF2Y1529ig1CHzHkEbq3b0JzQBHujK4XYSNtAQfXTnzkdxBgQ8XWD-Usl9G6RBoGykDUKg3r6-qkV1Jg4wPqoMtxNNtmtxlLS2IqGx_4bczzVo1iJTh5fG9r5DNNkhI0A/s1600-h/assemblycrowd1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253787488824342210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7w_vASTFulrbF2Y1529ig1CHzHkEbq3b0JzQBHujK4XYSNtAQfXTnzkdxBgQ8XWD-Usl9G6RBoGykDUKg3r6-qkV1Jg4wPqoMtxNNtmtxlLS2IqGx_4bczzVo1iJTh5fG9r5DNNkhI0A/s200/assemblycrowd1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Nearly 1,000 Rotarians convened for the annual event. It was Gov. Iain Vernon’s blow-out celebration and the Rotarians provided a magnificent program in true British fashion. On Saturday, we had 2 morning plenary sessions, a House of Friendship, delicious meals and then, a magnificent banquet that evening. We befriended President DK Lee's personal representative to the conference, Mary Beth Growney Selene, a Yank from Minnesota. She is a past District Governor who shares my passion for mission work in Haiti.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPW7a0wtJM8OPnPDW1a3h1SF7SsUeRDOkxOv8o9veuca9icHdA9m__X16LxegXZP8A7UFQN9AOk3Bd1_af-YXoB6xJ3ocKQKc1o9UaW-c2GMlyQN03A_57q3tfEnKSdRCw31-5YHw-Fg/s1600-h/gambling.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253788205124914066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPW7a0wtJM8OPnPDW1a3h1SF7SsUeRDOkxOv8o9veuca9icHdA9m__X16LxegXZP8A7UFQN9AOk3Bd1_af-YXoB6xJ3ocKQKc1o9UaW-c2GMlyQN03A_57q3tfEnKSdRCw31-5YHw-Fg/s200/gambling.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHMLgTupXcjVAtFBOWodaDQ3gpLBgJzngwJ-avdPivJHXup9BjSDkj1jCynwdcwUpJSdOrrVHpbpXJMuFHYh-tQrelrCj8IDDW7soAszz0QSRTQeBpZm4mlfSPFCxRy75LJw5oX-qrWg/s1600-h/tuxedo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253788203708035906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHMLgTupXcjVAtFBOWodaDQ3gpLBgJzngwJ-avdPivJHXup9BjSDkj1jCynwdcwUpJSdOrrVHpbpXJMuFHYh-tQrelrCj8IDDW7soAszz0QSRTQeBpZm4mlfSPFCxRy75LJw5oX-qrWg/s200/tuxedo.jpg" border="0" /></a>A dance band energized everyone to “strut their stuff” on the dance floor. In another room, a Las Vegas-style gambling venue provided additional entertainment.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWkXONuBFuXiYikJlB4N7z8o85EgIE9g0KLfO_i5PJczh8JVIZWxIRWg0Fl2alL4hig-_79TzsvULplOA5nzO6xZSj-TaBo9UflnqpAUZNudHsJ_F6EXw7t0r23oRbBRgaOaAWg_Ad20/s1600-h/davidgeorge.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253789042851708610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWkXONuBFuXiYikJlB4N7z8o85EgIE9g0KLfO_i5PJczh8JVIZWxIRWg0Fl2alL4hig-_79TzsvULplOA5nzO6xZSj-TaBo9UflnqpAUZNudHsJ_F6EXw7t0r23oRbBRgaOaAWg_Ad20/s200/davidgeorge.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUhudJLkGrREXi4wh5ee0utaMRTbBSevPImmVEAT9jvScO1TZzqVFoh0YWj7CToz_yadz5Ro0VW4K_bGMMJQ3_9zTndJk6Wcn8aiUCrFx6ZKIMs9eORDJMQs7ZIy-jgCgC-K81iJqnqM/s1600-h/Baileys.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253789036716390658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUhudJLkGrREXi4wh5ee0utaMRTbBSevPImmVEAT9jvScO1TZzqVFoh0YWj7CToz_yadz5Ro0VW4K_bGMMJQ3_9zTndJk6Wcn8aiUCrFx6ZKIMs9eORDJMQs7ZIy-jgCgC-K81iJqnqM/s200/Baileys.jpg" border="0" /></a>Many of our cherished host families came for the celebration. This gave us the opportunity to spend time with those who had immersed us in their genuine British hospitality.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWq0S1mveERQKJVh8DUAsq6-DmuFsqJ2hgNWMsmsv9kd3ciFNSn_e_h5Ob_AQnSqZvfzjV4qRLZvssvWTwO6SI2tH1VCVY6MHUJk2uxjhy66FzX6c2czdx_WtdWoe6g0ddxRJXfu19cA/s1600-h/gatehouse.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253789047639541314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" height="174" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWq0S1mveERQKJVh8DUAsq6-DmuFsqJ2hgNWMsmsv9kd3ciFNSn_e_h5Ob_AQnSqZvfzjV4qRLZvssvWTwO6SI2tH1VCVY6MHUJk2uxjhy66FzX6c2czdx_WtdWoe6g0ddxRJXfu19cA/s200/gatehouse.jpg" width="200" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0G_8wjHobelUd_Tvn5-3Hs7ExaK0uhdh-vX0y7ambPIk5D6m3tHdceuiItSItDiUbDahXhwb5uYCBrk2e-2zxCKFIISQVbwYt0-v9rONhdcLstfX7zsO7Tz7BtYF8HCHo55YekDXHp4/s1600-h/martins.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253789046925137618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0G_8wjHobelUd_Tvn5-3Hs7ExaK0uhdh-vX0y7ambPIk5D6m3tHdceuiItSItDiUbDahXhwb5uYCBrk2e-2zxCKFIISQVbwYt0-v9rONhdcLstfX7zsO7Tz7BtYF8HCHo55YekDXHp4/s200/martins.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29T4NIBcZj7QE4ISOvXnhK9z-DtP7WGyQJvgatJVnbWJCa60oknGP-oH3eiDcoiii1FSZooWaQ2n3kSyOPUcAJusW4VeqQ9qUYdynBODacUcApKa-B7skvrD_X3XbnJ8yzdUPFUNXnt4/s1600-h/maryhelen.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253789051162311522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" height="308" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29T4NIBcZj7QE4ISOvXnhK9z-DtP7WGyQJvgatJVnbWJCa60oknGP-oH3eiDcoiii1FSZooWaQ2n3kSyOPUcAJusW4VeqQ9qUYdynBODacUcApKa-B7skvrD_X3XbnJ8yzdUPFUNXnt4/s200/maryhelen.jpg" width="200" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /> </div><div>Sunday was Showtime. Our presentation to the District Conference was the culmination our visit to 1070, the most important part of our adventure. I awoke at 4:45 AM. My apprehension made it impossible to sleep. I re-worked my portion of the Powerpoint, to fine tune it.<br /><br />During the preceding 3 weeks, the team made a priority to amass a large volume of photos, with particular emphasis on funny photos. We have discovered that team member Eric has particular talent with humor. </div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSksiuSdVqKmX9GLs7K-5_ZXDo_U9mx_dzs_BRmDu5AyX1D9lOmWYmz3p470QyfUumKwnndGpooYJlBEXYo1O5S8Zak1mfOK9XxMdCoDyGxt4Z9grItYkd2q9Sa4DqnJGAHADp-SqK3sA/s1600-h/acolette.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253795301847058546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSksiuSdVqKmX9GLs7K-5_ZXDo_U9mx_dzs_BRmDu5AyX1D9lOmWYmz3p470QyfUumKwnndGpooYJlBEXYo1O5S8Zak1mfOK9XxMdCoDyGxt4Z9grItYkd2q9Sa4DqnJGAHADp-SqK3sA/s200/acolette.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxmfX85gA0nTlhWSr5SPLHti81LntMe3OcqGW2ryyhrJ93PB0K-9yjIA5oKivmoJAC1x9YxRShoqpbUIdgSKL7jZ9IOCUDelCCcw4PYvQLVoZNjychx8cFIU_4lkfQX1S0LQ5dR_TFnQ/s1600-h/ericfun.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253793232387552770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxmfX85gA0nTlhWSr5SPLHti81LntMe3OcqGW2ryyhrJ93PB0K-9yjIA5oKivmoJAC1x9YxRShoqpbUIdgSKL7jZ9IOCUDelCCcw4PYvQLVoZNjychx8cFIU_4lkfQX1S0LQ5dR_TFnQ/s200/ericfun.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlakjxzieNfLlh-pXxVrcHEdzE-0qpOakdcezXAgBVVVTCk8ASfHk1fArDKE52QD2DYk7xkWCLENcLoaznI6lXAJE3u9DceU6b7dLP94eHBQZOfn_fwn2OOJAEfX-u93Ca99XZttLeytM/s1600-h/IainFun.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253793230059112386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlakjxzieNfLlh-pXxVrcHEdzE-0qpOakdcezXAgBVVVTCk8ASfHk1fArDKE52QD2DYk7xkWCLENcLoaznI6lXAJE3u9DceU6b7dLP94eHBQZOfn_fwn2OOJAEfX-u93Ca99XZttLeytM/s200/IainFun.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /> </div><div>We shortened our ordinary club presentations, in order to have time in the 30 minute slot, to tell about our GSE experiences and then to showcase our humor. Eric narrated the last portion, and brought the house down.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENyeQJ2plL0FKA_znaKFfnwvqFn_98OiBcZSL6XliUMHryfodWtIoyAhNUze2E2uB7EzjW02_IVYhpSJQECJe5ddCnMZY1MYQNAQI_Q-aKayEhhAjab-3iuKk_eefRGyVxVqQpL-1t_8/s1600-h/assmeblyjoe.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253946354559832114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENyeQJ2plL0FKA_znaKFfnwvqFn_98OiBcZSL6XliUMHryfodWtIoyAhNUze2E2uB7EzjW02_IVYhpSJQECJe5ddCnMZY1MYQNAQI_Q-aKayEhhAjab-3iuKk_eefRGyVxVqQpL-1t_8/s400/assmeblyjoe.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqJpQzvYrqb1VkU91IJxG-uhI7Z5bQp-ou41l9OI3M7WTSEXqBzCzA8MIizvWekulrjy48F7VZqClxN8XllyhfTfwwdZAjCjUHgVgoaCoOhBSsWNuXSA9xWed8ZpZlYN_bF7Y6GAJPSo/s1600-h/assemblycolette.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253790928906417202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="8" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqJpQzvYrqb1VkU91IJxG-uhI7Z5bQp-ou41l9OI3M7WTSEXqBzCzA8MIizvWekulrjy48F7VZqClxN8XllyhfTfwwdZAjCjUHgVgoaCoOhBSsWNuXSA9xWed8ZpZlYN_bF7Y6GAJPSo/s200/assemblycolette.jpg" width="8" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4z7AzkUtq0_Pc-y77xbOIcT4se5whi9zsR62HON_ImI8QOYDx7yYwJPkWwYE-RQhKaHpCWSEs7iUmhGOlIa-3eFfMN1770vaK0-n1D6zebH1a04hi3uAMZhJL1ZVjRi8w4-QPVNggp8/s1600-h/assmeblyjoe.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253790927464773858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 8px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 8px" height="36" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4z7AzkUtq0_Pc-y77xbOIcT4se5whi9zsR62HON_ImI8QOYDx7yYwJPkWwYE-RQhKaHpCWSEs7iUmhGOlIa-3eFfMN1770vaK0-n1D6zebH1a04hi3uAMZhJL1ZVjRi8w4-QPVNggp8/s200/assmeblyjoe.jpg" width="42" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxpQhYZqf6e-GQ06e8-H6IHDXUoFkijQEFa_iP-oyQVapo4oapr_SNpzJfG-bsp7zAqh-oXxGoEaDfnm_iVShzaBfiPV8sKi7sZXd03Zp5T6B9bZIAqb4s9rriWVM_nAsXTWUCs_txII/s1600-h/assemblymary.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253946357091339634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxpQhYZqf6e-GQ06e8-H6IHDXUoFkijQEFa_iP-oyQVapo4oapr_SNpzJfG-bsp7zAqh-oXxGoEaDfnm_iVShzaBfiPV8sKi7sZXd03Zp5T6B9bZIAqb4s9rriWVM_nAsXTWUCs_txII/s400/assemblymary.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEGMZiqW6eMVDTJgQOVsC5r5QnVZRzRKn5ilErUszYEk-eUlFOtWfoKnBvEPaynLqg5yOC95cEDO6zJnn0Dg06cwEMTu91FcsSpCL56YEgkSxWdpg5pDu9Yqb6xXgPxp4T3g90eJR-RM/s1600-h/assmblyeric.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253949143724393090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEGMZiqW6eMVDTJgQOVsC5r5QnVZRzRKn5ilErUszYEk-eUlFOtWfoKnBvEPaynLqg5yOC95cEDO6zJnn0Dg06cwEMTu91FcsSpCL56YEgkSxWdpg5pDu9Yqb6xXgPxp4T3g90eJR-RM/s400/assmblyeric.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWKmrcr6KWmigfufNUi1fo5Dn1FdlZZhRqQ_caWorjgeV68mi8R5cRK34UUutynowl3gQvF9Lgs5XjXettTts5Jx5-2n_YBXJey7xuGZBw6d7SKOAUTSQi347MoslGOywXcuKuKg888I/s1600-h/assemblycolette.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253949144472184482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWKmrcr6KWmigfufNUi1fo5Dn1FdlZZhRqQ_caWorjgeV68mi8R5cRK34UUutynowl3gQvF9Lgs5XjXettTts5Jx5-2n_YBXJey7xuGZBw6d7SKOAUTSQi347MoslGOywXcuKuKg888I/s400/assemblycolette.jpg" border="0" /></a> It had been <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPWGY8bcbfDVXHyT_KAxfx_UUrStM9v9Z7OEyeelfUhp4B8jBY0ERW8TrfLJF_SQrx_q7wjcvGVGbXHCLaVS6LbF6VHUGufllytJvIpX-If9PRYR7yP8yeGsBmKTE6mUxhdyBpX_CQKA/s1600-h/assmblyeric.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253790931339686082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="7" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPWGY8bcbfDVXHyT_KAxfx_UUrStM9v9Z7OEyeelfUhp4B8jBY0ERW8TrfLJF_SQrx_q7wjcvGVGbXHCLaVS6LbF6VHUGufllytJvIpX-If9PRYR7yP8yeGsBmKTE6mUxhdyBpX_CQKA/s200/assmblyeric.jpg" width="5" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXO0FBwCOhjJLYlFhAwybAAT5bw1C05TQasyTfqsHspzzIrDR1ZvfKgT8ZvuY4G3qkr8Itej4lOI72nBZUtC_sBDssqVR8dwMjqXBOmHTT8YfcoEQ57Fzra-U8crgWS4Ch-hos7_c8aYg/s1600-h/assemblyianbill.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253790917632099906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="11" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXO0FBwCOhjJLYlFhAwybAAT5bw1C05TQasyTfqsHspzzIrDR1ZvfKgT8ZvuY4G3qkr8Itej4lOI72nBZUtC_sBDssqVR8dwMjqXBOmHTT8YfcoEQ57Fzra-U8crgWS4Ch-hos7_c8aYg/s200/assemblyianbill.jpg" width="8" border="0" /></a>apparent that many local Rotarians had reservations about the value of the GSE program. When we finished, the applause was loud and long. DG Iain Vernon took the opportunity to explain to the gathering that our presentation made clear how important GSE is to the Foundation and to the Rotary experience.<br /><br />Afterward, we received high praise from many of the participants. One Brit told us it was the best GSE presentation he had heard in 20 years. I feel that we provided an excellent program for our hosts, and we demonstrated our appreciation for their unparalleled hospitality. When we closed, we offered gifts to Iain and his wife Jo, from the team and from our DG Anne Walker.<br /><br />The remaining week will be a cake walk with this performance behind us. We will visit with the clubs from Wellingborough Hatton and Brackley. The team returns home next Saturday, Oct. 11. I will remain for 3 days of London sightseeing and return on Tuesday, Oct. 13.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraL1hdc7BlJHMdA4pOlg_vgFrJJffj49k6apajxQCa5TMFetQwM6ex2oi3a6mJg9gsekkxiPBNQsFVBNMZcrvpDHgi5-UvqoeZ8bfo3NcHGZUYp5U3XcdtrHjcW-Ak9ZJx20ix-BkPp4/s1600-h/assemblyianbill.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253946366497807458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraL1hdc7BlJHMdA4pOlg_vgFrJJffj49k6apajxQCa5TMFetQwM6ex2oi3a6mJg9gsekkxiPBNQsFVBNMZcrvpDHgi5-UvqoeZ8bfo3NcHGZUYp5U3XcdtrHjcW-Ak9ZJx20ix-BkPp4/s400/assemblyianbill.jpg" border="0" /></a>Life in the U.K. is good. Our GSE experience has far exceeded our expectations.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Dr. Bill Greenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14223773922051783451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-69814810876890013402008-10-02T11:16:00.001-07:002008-10-02T11:27:41.529-07:00Hello from NorthamptonAnd the journey continues...<br /><br />After an absolutely terrific time in Stamford, we moved on Monday to Northamptonshire. We so enjoyed our time with the Stamford St. Martin's club, who are a young, very lively club, full of new ideas. We won't soon forget their farewell evening, a dinner full of games and surprises that included Eric dressing up like an 80s rock star and me applying makeup to a poor soul while I was blindfolded!<br /><br />Monday was fairly low key. We had a pub lunch with our new Rotary hosts and then spent some time walking around the village of North Brington. We walked by Althorp, which was a childhood home of Princess Di's and visited the church that houses her family, the Spencer family's, crypt. That was truly fascinating to see.<br /><br />Then on Tuesday we spent the first part of the day in court -- no, not for doing anything wrong -- to get a glimpse of the legal system and make some comparisons between ours and theirs. Then in the afternoon we visited their Closed Circuit TV headquarters, because CCTV is quite prevalent in the UK as a means for crime prevention and crime solving.<br /><br />Wednesday was a vocational day for each of us, and I think we all truly enjoyed ourselves. I spent the day at the Northampton Chronicle & Echo where I talked with a number of folks and racked up some great ideas to take back with me to the States.<br /><br />Then today, part of our group -- Colette and Eric -- headed with their hosts to Torquay, a coastal city in the southwestern portion of the country. Joe, Bill and I will follow with our hosts tomorrow. Torquay is the site of District 1070's annual conference. Our group will be presenting on Sunday, so please wish us luck!Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05078447738820364478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-53345931699010429592008-10-02T01:25:00.000-07:002008-10-02T01:36:54.226-07:00New color scheme for Myrtle Beach Police CarsOn Wednesday October 1st I spent the day with Northampton Police. I was able to do a ride along, saw the police dogs training, saw the firearms training area (have lots of new ideas) and the police training center. While I was walking around HQ I came up with the thought of, hey why don't our cars in Myrtle Beach look like this? Let me know what you think...<br /><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-QLIKMbH9bMQM6g3RGtHUsUDZy7_LxZNIwihBACJgiWchwI4BJCiYyP7YV0OfS9xrx3TAOyxwSX3glbSUtLMX5p0cV74FHBV8bpaVobQ5_5lydiLWSBNZWae4FQ3KdMzlXqhCr34iZk/s1600-h/P1000913.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252470647622187730" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-QLIKMbH9bMQM6g3RGtHUsUDZy7_LxZNIwihBACJgiWchwI4BJCiYyP7YV0OfS9xrx3TAOyxwSX3glbSUtLMX5p0cV74FHBV8bpaVobQ5_5lydiLWSBNZWae4FQ3KdMzlXqhCr34iZk/s320/P1000913.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFA5vv9JYJDbCNebaKcPx_5VMHVHKFtJ4erdNz6MJKFKJ2cZUZxYiQcknP6DNyeTwArXQXPqGFj9UmpKha0EIvZJWw7ZkoRhdiniqi8UufAv9jRSlSXM9J6gKLk4Cnb7NvutUhyphenhyphenPEPhw/s1600-h/P1000911(1).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252470878762109458" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFA5vv9JYJDbCNebaKcPx_5VMHVHKFtJ4erdNz6MJKFKJ2cZUZxYiQcknP6DNyeTwArXQXPqGFj9UmpKha0EIvZJWw7ZkoRhdiniqi8UufAv9jRSlSXM9J6gKLk4Cnb7NvutUhyphenhyphenPEPhw/s320/P1000911(1).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div> </div><div>Northampton Police didn't think it was a good idea that I take a bite from one of thier dogs, escpecially after they told me that the Shepard isn't a fan of letting go of the sleeve. But here are a few pics of the dogs at work. (I have some video which I will share when I get home)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0lffbGwqEOu6nBfr8KmdHevjy6q5OyY_sAVsmavoNzAdqDA0NxubqbLUxpfhO1Tn6W63Paywszep-oVNyiHI61yQvsck0CS3Z-Sdyv13sEo8i2B57i00Q5i7NiU8Sul9AT50LQzparw/s1600-h/P1000916(1).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252471471088524546" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0lffbGwqEOu6nBfr8KmdHevjy6q5OyY_sAVsmavoNzAdqDA0NxubqbLUxpfhO1Tn6W63Paywszep-oVNyiHI61yQvsck0CS3Z-Sdyv13sEo8i2B57i00Q5i7NiU8Sul9AT50LQzparw/s320/P1000916(1).JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Z5xCMbaLAssU4CqmIJ0umPguqhPsW_-ED0yOeJ9iCG-emn8HFjlX21KIxfYa-UzdqFbPcbBkUFmIAIN54bJrns7ixLDiy6ApFrttPPYIK0m2r8x6w-NH57n5wCRy0vtdQbkDIwEyIuY/s1600-h/P1000963(1).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252471632362880594" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Z5xCMbaLAssU4CqmIJ0umPguqhPsW_-ED0yOeJ9iCG-emn8HFjlX21KIxfYa-UzdqFbPcbBkUFmIAIN54bJrns7ixLDiy6ApFrttPPYIK0m2r8x6w-NH57n5wCRy0vtdQbkDIwEyIuY/s320/P1000963(1).JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpO06YnJCbclCe_8en_oWqRuuMoqn0OxdTrrasqez4xxeDmq70mCyiay9Q-u_PMRD-b2UlbrJJBWZMqnp8jOgjvwrX1bx6BoqWwQGdnrijYSTvUAmZSw4t31n3Cu65iQgg_bMuJA8eLrY/s1600-h/P1010008(1).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252472058518281282" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpO06YnJCbclCe_8en_oWqRuuMoqn0OxdTrrasqez4xxeDmq70mCyiay9Q-u_PMRD-b2UlbrJJBWZMqnp8jOgjvwrX1bx6BoqWwQGdnrijYSTvUAmZSw4t31n3Cu65iQgg_bMuJA8eLrY/s320/P1010008(1).JPG" border="0" /></a> This is Sam, one of the female dog handlers and her German Shepard. The dog is playing with his ball just after knocking the other handler to the ground after taking a bite on the sleeve. </div><div> </div><div>See you soon....</div></div></div></div>DiLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05253418999308064030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-30506790807439609612008-09-29T00:56:00.000-07:002008-09-29T01:13:09.491-07:00StamfordSome photos of our guided tour of beautiful historic Stamford:<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SOCN7IAr7YI/AAAAAAAAAHU/5mEe0gHucqY/s1600-h/EnglandPart7+035(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251353212416159106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SOCN7IAr7YI/AAAAAAAAAHU/5mEe0gHucqY/s320/EnglandPart7+035(web).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa1hwKMwHykrtXwReV9DzeEEmudJaG0PhQqfkMxvE7emXOXvCCBagazyyLpi2TBHPwet1-qUvN90jTGQ53eWn1b0UeXQiLVM-3JNd7iEV5C6nJVysQM5n1usuttc6ds-140L-qsY6WXSs/s1600-h/EnglandPart7+039(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251353218740770258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa1hwKMwHykrtXwReV9DzeEEmudJaG0PhQqfkMxvE7emXOXvCCBagazyyLpi2TBHPwet1-qUvN90jTGQ53eWn1b0UeXQiLVM-3JNd7iEV5C6nJVysQM5n1usuttc6ds-140L-qsY6WXSs/s320/EnglandPart7+039(web).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SOCN7cJMzJI/AAAAAAAAAHk/oRdMym-GbxU/s1600-h/EnglandPart7+044(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251353217820576914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SOCN7cJMzJI/AAAAAAAAAHk/oRdMym-GbxU/s320/EnglandPart7+044(web).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SOCN7nkfboI/AAAAAAAAAHs/OCSxL0ULMjg/s1600-h/EnglandPart7+047(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251353220887834242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SOCN7nkfboI/AAAAAAAAAHs/OCSxL0ULMjg/s320/EnglandPart7+047(web).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SOCM--C6CAI/AAAAAAAAAGs/pyJHzZFD4z8/s1600-h/EnglandPart7+016(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251352178948966402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SOCM--C6CAI/AAAAAAAAAGs/pyJHzZFD4z8/s320/EnglandPart7+016(web).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6lxSwOtyY3yuJNpiUex-MZp-YS1seLQMxVtZOgdGt0VsImp1-MgBDdFTIosepF_6EOuovOGuqCvsoy97vMxgyJoXMPU2sDvyFZJhDQ2Tco76MWwj3PrrRZO41X8YkPOGKCTLs38Jh7WA/s1600-h/EnglandPart7+022(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251352175674709058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6lxSwOtyY3yuJNpiUex-MZp-YS1seLQMxVtZOgdGt0VsImp1-MgBDdFTIosepF_6EOuovOGuqCvsoy97vMxgyJoXMPU2sDvyFZJhDQ2Tco76MWwj3PrrRZO41X8YkPOGKCTLs38Jh7WA/s320/EnglandPart7+022(web).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTXt_MVGVgqCiJk__u0huwYh1GC7Z0RpP1840KtvOdV5rYP_hGN-Xd0GFB6HHWLg1JN3uT4kG3Zpr3vNp-QZlQo0DD67LSmXruxztZfLXU49dW_baK_uby6XZH8VeRNvV1h1uyJmAmwKf/s1600-h/EnglandPart7+025(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251352187809381474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTXt_MVGVgqCiJk__u0huwYh1GC7Z0RpP1840KtvOdV5rYP_hGN-Xd0GFB6HHWLg1JN3uT4kG3Zpr3vNp-QZlQo0DD67LSmXruxztZfLXU49dW_baK_uby6XZH8VeRNvV1h1uyJmAmwKf/s320/EnglandPart7+025(web).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SOCM_TSQuSI/AAAAAAAAAHE/jyRNO-qdUOo/s1600-h/EnglandPart7+027(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251352184650512674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SOCM_TSQuSI/AAAAAAAAAHE/jyRNO-qdUOo/s320/EnglandPart7+027(web).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRQDTs9loPlp6JBdNoOU2siBUtP91U7ACN-cPpJ5VwFlNUWWkBp0HC-MhZK7V0tMV6Uu-5PUCOqETSl9LKl7Nk3tpcCGsyPoRS0ijI6zDGnish0zj4AbTJYL_CjGPbiWsH9HLoy_NOD4b/s1600-h/EnglandPart7+032(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251352188558673106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRQDTs9loPlp6JBdNoOU2siBUtP91U7ACN-cPpJ5VwFlNUWWkBp0HC-MhZK7V0tMV6Uu-5PUCOqETSl9LKl7Nk3tpcCGsyPoRS0ijI6zDGnish0zj4AbTJYL_CjGPbiWsH9HLoy_NOD4b/s320/EnglandPart7+032(web).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05078447738820364478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-49824501871016214442008-09-29T00:48:00.001-07:002008-09-29T00:55:34.931-07:00Some tributesI thought I'd take a moment to make some tributes to recognize a few people/moments in recent days that are worth noting:<br /><br />Norry Bell, perhaps the most colorful character we've encountered on our travels, was Eric's host in Sleaford. He showed up one night looking like this:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZn7kyq7fILw5AFNb8wel3T2vfuBxcxDSET_UttqbxdCvLycBywb6_ZhP_HKhd5YLRyiFDdQl5gJiY2uXiu_m58IjxJi8KR1-X53JMX3outOPt36Ii4hvtihlwydQH3KTjcf-icGooI1i3/s1600-h/EnglandPart6+183(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251347640075372770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZn7kyq7fILw5AFNb8wel3T2vfuBxcxDSET_UttqbxdCvLycBywb6_ZhP_HKhd5YLRyiFDdQl5gJiY2uXiu_m58IjxJi8KR1-X53JMX3outOPt36Ii4hvtihlwydQH3KTjcf-icGooI1i3/s320/EnglandPart6+183(web).jpg" border="0" /></a> And the Scotsman showed up another time looking like this:<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUIgKPkZ6Abcf9-Ow77woU7Z7ReBFKyNVDVfM3Os_NB1siBVIEbJm61Y6OsjFVmiMws6imeFtOmSs4yhYpfQqNfag9wCjfYhOVF634M_GtjRTHX2moDhwKig-PGYJHYcF8d0Nor9i8Okm/s1600-h/EnglandPart7+012(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251347645314886642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUIgKPkZ6Abcf9-Ow77woU7Z7ReBFKyNVDVfM3Os_NB1siBVIEbJm61Y6OsjFVmiMws6imeFtOmSs4yhYpfQqNfag9wCjfYhOVF634M_GtjRTHX2moDhwKig-PGYJHYcF8d0Nor9i8Okm/s320/EnglandPart7+012(web).jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p>And now, a tribute to the American donut. Poor Eric, our resident police officer, had been feeling the hunger pangs of a donut craving. Fortunately Colette's host Nick was able to help him out.</p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SOCI3LLnIaI/AAAAAAAAAGc/9IJyFfTjBNc/s1600-h/EnglandPart7+019(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251347646989672866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SOCI3LLnIaI/AAAAAAAAAGc/9IJyFfTjBNc/s320/EnglandPart7+019(web).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SOCI3pQUpYI/AAAAAAAAAGk/58vTwcpE0x4/s1600-h/EnglandPart7+020(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251347655062496642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SOCI3pQUpYI/AAAAAAAAAGk/58vTwcpE0x4/s320/EnglandPart7+020(web).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05078447738820364478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-91078823619339905532008-09-28T10:04:00.000-07:002008-09-28T10:37:13.635-07:00Stamford St. Martins<ol><li><div align="left">Yesterday, I had my vocational day at the hospital, "cutting up." I was welcomed by Drs. Linda, Charlie and Chris. Life in the Urology Theatre is much the same as in the U.S.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KLZZatefak3_gi4Geh-avZP9E_tMLgzOruGUHTtBjiHY2HmLVnMZRFbuHN60xvchYHZDF_OX5lcN-_0yXQrR1z-UO95dK4O5zhJ7EKyF26roW4DPWkyiv5bw94se50nHUWpYLMt5QgI/s1600-h/or.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251123139428001890" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KLZZatefak3_gi4Geh-avZP9E_tMLgzOruGUHTtBjiHY2HmLVnMZRFbuHN60xvchYHZDF_OX5lcN-_0yXQrR1z-UO95dK4O5zhJ7EKyF26roW4DPWkyiv5bw94se50nHUWpYLMt5QgI/s320/or.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div></li><li><div align="left">Last evening, my hosts Pres. Helen and Martyn Gatehouse offered a home-cooked meal of coq au vin. We then went to the local theatre for a quality production of "The Pirates of Penzance," performed by locals in Stamford.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirj-PLHIOIvl2pqo0VFP7TH4UQfXBTil1S_8dPGauB1LqL4mK5wYCTRhU5snAKVkzVbd3JVYCU7ZIqoMEcn3xLlsyKKpqfXsuSbxW06x9RcvwdaLSvKrFS5crI3dP-pdjTIZZeSL71Uu4/s1600-h/pirate.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251123148933238290" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirj-PLHIOIvl2pqo0VFP7TH4UQfXBTil1S_8dPGauB1LqL4mK5wYCTRhU5snAKVkzVbd3JVYCU7ZIqoMEcn3xLlsyKKpqfXsuSbxW06x9RcvwdaLSvKrFS5crI3dP-pdjTIZZeSL71Uu4/s320/pirate.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div></li><li><div align="left">Our British friends have been sadly misinformed that the American Bloaks are malnourished. Every time we turn around there is another banquet or trip to the Pub. Southern hospitality could take a lesson from our friends across the Pond. A daily run has become an absolute necessity, to assure that the pants (oops, they call them trousers; pants are underwear) that we brought with us will fit at the end of the trip.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSy0BM-pMuVhUNgNGcwq6Gf2_Gq4SM8UnbWAW5ShGyBGrPkMaGoa3B1YCZnuXoK_hjltXX4jCB07EY8R7DablE7hCqS6YysuExFZ8MLFdv7xznJ9XzuQFHASG_oacbo6x71H38W6NN7AA/s1600-h/run.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251123154137895010" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSy0BM-pMuVhUNgNGcwq6Gf2_Gq4SM8UnbWAW5ShGyBGrPkMaGoa3B1YCZnuXoK_hjltXX4jCB07EY8R7DablE7hCqS6YysuExFZ8MLFdv7xznJ9XzuQFHASG_oacbo6x71H38W6NN7AA/s320/run.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div></li></ol>Tomorrow, we sing our theme song again, by Willie Nelson, "On the Road Again." We are off to Northampton. We look forward to attending the District Conference in scenic Torquay, 6 hours away at the end of the week. I spent my "free day" on the computer, preparing for our presentation that will KNOCK THEIR SOCKS OFF.<br /><br />Now, we are off to a banquet hosted by Stamford St. Martins. Life is tuff.Dr. Bill Greenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14223773922051783451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-6438805445135200172008-09-28T02:16:00.000-07:002008-09-28T03:06:26.509-07:00Free Day !!!<div><div><div><div><div>While my teammates are trucking all around the UK today, I am enjoying my free day at my host's home. Now that I have a few spare minutes I figured I would share some more pics with you.<br /><div></div><div><div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WusSw90zQZNP82fixV_kdybo0cmYxv5eUXVbmdJjuyiK7nHr-f0eNr9PchGAHi872r7KQxKPGhyT9x58FLKhNct_j7TysEhEYbY4Ry2KFkNs1t1Jx71QygmKLOJL_sAuuo4E0h75U6g/s1600-h/P1000630.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250999481180052946" style="CURSOR: hand" height="218" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WusSw90zQZNP82fixV_kdybo0cmYxv5eUXVbmdJjuyiK7nHr-f0eNr9PchGAHi872r7KQxKPGhyT9x58FLKhNct_j7TysEhEYbY4Ry2KFkNs1t1Jx71QygmKLOJL_sAuuo4E0h75U6g/s200/P1000630.JPG" width="158" border="0" /></a>I spent Wednesday 9-24-08 with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Lincolnshire</span> Constabulary (Police), my partner for the morning was PC Andy Jarvis (below) took me around to the Police Training Facility. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNRzgzwYw0nDdx0szl4hUiCo7h3xcYdXkWNE2NkwY_k403sCyrMZ3GSg0oLHvLoGMAzGkSPcJrCXeblRlv0_SORGXo7Uq3e5cTaGY0liJe2d0K0lSdi-g7nKYf0l8kiDKRhu_Vr9IvJQ/s1600-h/P1000625.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251001890935502594" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNRzgzwYw0nDdx0szl4hUiCo7h3xcYdXkWNE2NkwY_k403sCyrMZ3GSg0oLHvLoGMAzGkSPcJrCXeblRlv0_SORGXo7Uq3e5cTaGY0liJe2d0K0lSdi-g7nKYf0l8kiDKRhu_Vr9IvJQ/s320/P1000625.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:+0;"></span><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMtbmoReCMClkNcF6wVv-_xdwxni-1C9Dovk3GtfOVtGoXaijxHrgrnkpDCh6ZXpKOU5vWlgjAYPIdTtWqZMif9xdtEMMlkBlVeNM4g9YFYEbsWSHAr3kvYWQTbLHIEzXEcusMuPH13E/s1600-h/P1000625.JPG"></a>This is Chewy, short for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Chubacca</span>, who is a pup that is being raised at the dog training center in hopes to one day be a working police dog. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Lincolnshire</span> Police raise their working dogs from pups. Handlers take <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">their</span> dogs home with them and many of them have 2 dogs <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">assigned</span> to them, one patrol & <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">tracking</span> (mostly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Shepard's</span>), the other is for drugs or explosives (mostly spaniels). <br /></div><div><br /> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251002791474676962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRhU9WboQQ0PhThW-KyynBNn6WA3IhOgk7u8igvkl6-GyJ4eWFi8r-2spSpwyq5sDY_XLNgadPz_8CtH5AEg0zzRqL8zmO0XG4MKotshycFZ3cfu3yuqjEozL-2s5Uy81O_P60C6GtT4/s320/P1000644(1).jpg" border="0" />That's me, in one of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Lincolnshire's</span> fastest cars, a Subaru <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Impreza</span>, fully <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">equip</span> with tag reader, camera, radar, CPU etc. PS the tag reader is in the back window and is tiny compared to the ones used in the states. </div><div><br /> </div><div> </div><div>Moving on to Friday, I went to London and worked with Metropolitan Police. I went via train to St. Pancreas / Kings Cross station (London's version of Grand Central Station) and spent the day with one of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">their</span> Counter-Terror officers who is stationed at the train station. We then went to New Scotland Yard (which is actually the name of a building, not a police force). </div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251003630297842386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpDPn1ayAdalKL7W1tAoiCknPUYpRYwKwh-PUqhxMJS7dyS0e0G3_yiQgCANuHDT_4Y0ahFgAbgMG-GZxxtA5kko4VbeOYlaowH2scig0phZLixqPRucggiYVyYsazD_ncJiW3f357a4/s320/P1000709(1).JPG" border="0" /></div><div><br /> Tower bridge and a WWII ship</div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251004921169054818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQotJfl5x0DYEnVwcvlPCSifAXdbwzaf_q2aDOTZ3BAM6aHSy4QOqSsjlRppaDmppmE-Yw682xta3gfHAmxjQ9WgrGGXHGVLqnS7VALCRUdEZVv9rfiEsONfzozUBP04OZXLakmMmEhE/s320/P1000729(1).JPG" border="0" /><br />I then took a walk over to the National Police Memorial, this memorial is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">fortunately</span> much, much smaller then the one in DC, being they have fewer officers killed. Underneath the stone shown below is a book behind glass that is open to the page that shows the names of the officers killed in the last few years.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251005441684627730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDRv1rxR2Xj621caFzitgWCB-TNV9bvYS_VIwKjrVSg_JWyfi1P7fWQKlOyr_BHh7Damgj4MKYu9-Hk6xfdEyOMs-tY9y0F370rUznGVguPoS7aOKtszQGuzK7Mlbntw8gJAdfIcTO2M/s320/P1000714(1).jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><div>And, on a much lighter note, the Stamford St. Martin's Rotary Club was very gracious in getting me a jelly donut so I felt like I was home. It was good, but I'm <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">staying</span> loyal to the Donut Man..<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251007608320781234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="219" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NF6YgS33VwL2qkWPrZRq5AAEu2n7a8kPu13LgskgWLJV1MgVFeW7Zu51d06-99rkvijKBSavZXZB0WYkVbGMNNR2XppveA3TDjmLYsBwPjkjVcE6teXIIw3BjJI71lxrjFMz_TN0xjc/s320/P1000773(2).JPG" width="254" border="0" /> </div><div> </div><div>The team is headed off to our fifth home on Monday, below is a picture of Stamford which is the area that we have been staying in, very nice area. Cheers!!<br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251009786534544834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-N9dy2ILAbiarjudj993NrVapC3nBeMxf7cLCT7QWr2ua2EY5Q6byOXK_Zk1_NfAiX36FrljOEKYNKRrB5kxV8DnUe4PHrtVpvRF9NUhJTskQt8X5AxLISEkXMIvSiEaanMIljFVBGTI/s320/P1000780(2).JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>DiLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05253418999308064030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-61775605366662722802008-09-27T11:20:00.001-07:002008-09-27T11:42:38.281-07:00A note from Colette<div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIEwK6kmXLDCUfNf9D9_5l5vzEbgGuMz0SzOM5HcJYI5kL-_pv0WlP6mTyDM3omFszzGSQVfen9stRZKAQ5Y8ZSzuhq3Br4TosanoiSoZAXiGXbDOkB0gxtFpNMRCTeK_xZv_UY6Dwg0R/s1600-h/onpreserve.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250770546973967714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIEwK6kmXLDCUfNf9D9_5l5vzEbgGuMz0SzOM5HcJYI5kL-_pv0WlP6mTyDM3omFszzGSQVfen9stRZKAQ5Y8ZSzuhq3Br4TosanoiSoZAXiGXbDOkB0gxtFpNMRCTeK_xZv_UY6Dwg0R/s320/onpreserve.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>I've had some great vocational experiences, I had to share...</div><div><br />At rutland water preserve learning how livestock are used to manage grasslands.<br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGjxa9c7nNst6uyBNiA8zYMmSY5ttNv_QhjkbIORu2lECv13Pf9Ryq1yxT0Mog3Uf_dOXl9TB-lrzsTKVBrYqfyr88natAXTk5O4BtiwCeMwO04myLdFMgTFT2fZ6ASDr5SitX4NDbbbg/s1600-h/rutlandhabitat.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250770201309773826" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGjxa9c7nNst6uyBNiA8zYMmSY5ttNv_QhjkbIORu2lECv13Pf9Ryq1yxT0Mog3Uf_dOXl9TB-lrzsTKVBrYqfyr88natAXTk5O4BtiwCeMwO04myLdFMgTFT2fZ6ASDr5SitX4NDbbbg/s320/rutlandhabitat.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Wetland habitat for wading birds and osprey.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxAtAXLATlwmzb0AS9jRYo_dfYTC710EX5rIDWHUiX96EIyQqXFXyAZzcJ_UyITBJNe3YQ7iGwwWtJPhp-7lphlEMwGqT60ULbJA5VE-8JhT8prf27qsbjXAwsiMdEj0mcS4CB1DHHGYo/s1600-h/hillholtwood.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250768064976662082" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxAtAXLATlwmzb0AS9jRYo_dfYTC710EX5rIDWHUiX96EIyQqXFXyAZzcJ_UyITBJNe3YQ7iGwwWtJPhp-7lphlEMwGqT60ULbJA5VE-8JhT8prf27qsbjXAwsiMdEj0mcS4CB1DHHGYo/s320/hillholtwood.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Joe and I had the opportunity to visit Hill Holt Wood which is a 34 acre woodland used to help educate troubled boys. Nigel and his wife Karen have created not only a center for education but also a sustainable system for them to live, contribute to society, and remain financially stable. It was very inspiring.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250768927379531170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9htHLtzla5xCPi-4ye9PX-zq4e_FcSivQnjkqhO3molaK4S6o3_1rhz2-TmB4M0C_7_SrGUXbuqEMprB6NetFBQFocrecCS4WRwhUf_1KXFatS6eDStMOLQKowoHEwMmXcwC49OIrSfG/s320/Nigel.jpg" border="0" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0Qcc2gmlx4MRILZV1NHyNFERtP9V4BLUFP6BlYCqSyjO-0ZgRy1gEFMVwBAPF0Ah8yWrU4rnghN800KQyUWjJqdRo7Q1RVwksMUE5gA2X4ZVO_g-XVzl3B3vi2wQOe9X0szHnaQLhSmW/s1600-h/earthloo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250769261281416210" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0Qcc2gmlx4MRILZV1NHyNFERtP9V4BLUFP6BlYCqSyjO-0ZgRy1gEFMVwBAPF0Ah8yWrU4rnghN800KQyUWjJqdRo7Q1RVwksMUE5gA2X4ZVO_g-XVzl3B3vi2wQOe9X0szHnaQLhSmW/s320/earthloo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>It was complete with compostable toilets and woodworking shops to create items from the wood grown on site.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0W19WzMIEWdkd5ifJpprpwaAFgWr7q9Dr1XXHCDiFnhIO1I9pzYs5uL9dTvYe0acQAvH2F-KerIMx2jzCJgC2Qm6cKY-Rtpw8nhHcAH2-g0q8f9i_bGCLnVhUWDshBaY1WZAJGWKxY0tH/s1600-h/on+horse.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250772466043827810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0W19WzMIEWdkd5ifJpprpwaAFgWr7q9Dr1XXHCDiFnhIO1I9pzYs5uL9dTvYe0acQAvH2F-KerIMx2jzCJgC2Qm6cKY-Rtpw8nhHcAH2-g0q8f9i_bGCLnVhUWDshBaY1WZAJGWKxY0tH/s320/on+horse.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>I've also been able to enjoy some English style horseback riding while I've been here. Thanks so much to Anita (and Mary) and Stephen for making it happen!!<br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Colettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16722038093420510389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-55054970839257973442008-09-26T00:13:00.001-07:002008-09-26T00:48:54.592-07:00And now some pics from Sleaford<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNyRyrlgb1I/AAAAAAAAAGE/z2ULIMpffB0/s1600-h/DSC01336(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250231565486681938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNyRyrlgb1I/AAAAAAAAAGE/z2ULIMpffB0/s320/DSC01336(web).JPG" border="0" /></a> Walking down Steep Hill in Lincoln. The hill is aptly named.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMCKpnBe7gcHzhg1vQ8PQ2cuZ1CwcbAPdafFOuNgXVAMrwIuB9LVHSrx4uWrFtBmsqp5yEUYzlHgLy95nJ1NfC0iGvSPTAU1sf-Q87WFjAHEnoXlc_EtrSI4V2rrPzW2sY0IY5hgGpzIQ/s1600-h/DSC01315(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250231017282507730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMCKpnBe7gcHzhg1vQ8PQ2cuZ1CwcbAPdafFOuNgXVAMrwIuB9LVHSrx4uWrFtBmsqp5yEUYzlHgLy95nJ1NfC0iGvSPTAU1sf-Q87WFjAHEnoXlc_EtrSI4V2rrPzW2sY0IY5hgGpzIQ/s320/DSC01315(web).JPG" border="0" /></a> We visited Lincoln Cathedral, famous for its imp carved in stone among the Angel Choir. No one knows quite for sure why the imp is there. Regardless, there he is. Some of the others got some better shots of the imp. I wasn't using my good camera that day.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNyRS4z6jFI/AAAAAAAAAF0/CYcT-9gArgM/s1600-h/DSC01320(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250231019280960594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNyRS4z6jFI/AAAAAAAAAF0/CYcT-9gArgM/s320/DSC01320(web).JPG" border="0" /></a> There's the imp on a table. He's become quite the mascot of the cathedral and the town.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lwh1NdFWbRpKP9F66NC0xnJ27_U8GrmuGzClIb9IJBc6Lw8HNu9hpIB0hkLD0hiI1vDrGCFyFkOmjFlLZQJAzsdGnETJIVpmVG1UtqcThOa7kvhC0oxTznV1Ae7OpgTnZNlKdRV-Ou_t/s1600-h/DSC01336(web).JPG"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNyQ-7Q_LBI/AAAAAAAAAFE/vKpGpsP5I6Q/s1600-h/EnglandPart6+183(web).jpg"></a><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qJ_8CYj4H2fUWRrl7m9oPNNxHKhsqXqDEjCvQSbA8-mIykH-r_cjZMNHI0lmBmNPDgPsfpfxy7AguGuev3NygdXhYuHfEDEYAlP-ESOWzUIPafCPYwLTbDb73fHFMJ-renr0m8vFsPUd/s1600-h/DSC01273(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250230677106291986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qJ_8CYj4H2fUWRrl7m9oPNNxHKhsqXqDEjCvQSbA8-mIykH-r_cjZMNHI0lmBmNPDgPsfpfxy7AguGuev3NygdXhYuHfEDEYAlP-ESOWzUIPafCPYwLTbDb73fHFMJ-renr0m8vFsPUd/s320/DSC01273(web).JPG" border="0" /></a>Lincoln Cathedral was built at the end of the 11th century. It's a stunningly beautiful building. Some of The DaVinci Code was filmed there!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNyQ_BPTVLI/AAAAAAAAAFU/4qNcdpvaS8Q/s1600-h/DSC01283(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250230677945930930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNyQ_BPTVLI/AAAAAAAAAFU/4qNcdpvaS8Q/s320/DSC01283(web).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHDpJK6BPUyvhsO5QF7t2pG42jimqTGIlpGNCUDgzx5foXlPwXEvX9c51GQKE8zn1bYsUTS3VcXnizfRToodz4p1YgAw281dVqX5L1VIuRWrKFLrFgab6n4giDmjE600ULsInsl4Zlpu0/s1600-h/DSC01288(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250230680800701714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHDpJK6BPUyvhsO5QF7t2pG42jimqTGIlpGNCUDgzx5foXlPwXEvX9c51GQKE8zn1bYsUTS3VcXnizfRToodz4p1YgAw281dVqX5L1VIuRWrKFLrFgab6n4giDmjE600ULsInsl4Zlpu0/s320/DSC01288(web).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-E9_FOcUqjGqjjIkUzWbz7hQjOTtQAQ9GbDTFegpzqZz319i4ldNM3RslOEl7Oe4pwi69E7oIKPUkklvF3gsZzJ0xqzsVEPTlkEsGv3U6Lo_7CxVBbCLzU0voyrHJMZxfo7SGqv9ze8Y/s1600-h/DSC01284(web).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250230680131099762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-E9_FOcUqjGqjjIkUzWbz7hQjOTtQAQ9GbDTFegpzqZz319i4ldNM3RslOEl7Oe4pwi69E7oIKPUkklvF3gsZzJ0xqzsVEPTlkEsGv3U6Lo_7CxVBbCLzU0voyrHJMZxfo7SGqv9ze8Y/s320/DSC01284(web).JPG" border="0" /></a> The original Norman Baptismal Font.<br /><br /><br /><strong>And now we transition to our day on the farm...<br /></strong><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNyQj5G136I/AAAAAAAAAEs/SaKuLHppMxc/s1600-h/EnglandPart6+165(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250230211906494370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNyQj5G136I/AAAAAAAAAEs/SaKuLHppMxc/s320/EnglandPart6+165(web).jpg" border="0" /></a> I think Colette dubbed herself the Straw Queen of Sleaford if I'm not mistaken.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4_BnOZswwX4HNOYEOCduEUUAZywreQ4RkW0zoFQMQndR25w_DuAcLwSMjLZgKXFUqtw9k17BcxNP0DXPrisjvSuucNnYgAsn7_EWGEMErX4pu0odZezDt0hMI8F1tAaKbIGP1Vr1_QkK/s1600-h/EnglandPart6+168(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250230210634562690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4_BnOZswwX4HNOYEOCduEUUAZywreQ4RkW0zoFQMQndR25w_DuAcLwSMjLZgKXFUqtw9k17BcxNP0DXPrisjvSuucNnYgAsn7_EWGEMErX4pu0odZezDt0hMI8F1tAaKbIGP1Vr1_QkK/s320/EnglandPart6+168(web).jpg" border="0" /></a> Mary with corn.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNyQjxXwb7I/AAAAAAAAAE8/ucpgrk5Am8U/s1600-h/EnglandPart6+176(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250230209829957554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNyQjxXwb7I/AAAAAAAAAE8/ucpgrk5Am8U/s320/EnglandPart6+176(web).jpg" border="0" /></a> Mary with baby cows.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3x655GMS65tzuEIh1ICV3OUIiXi6dGhm_snbPOnDaG-LwrydiXIjXPMIi0S6MwQivPkLh5GUDSu8ecqlyJqJanuuk_DZNeZB6w9Apltx6c7maA_noVS3C9641gS7bBlZ9nQTIBIVzl89m/s1600-h/EnglandPart6+167(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250227253508495618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3x655GMS65tzuEIh1ICV3OUIiXi6dGhm_snbPOnDaG-LwrydiXIjXPMIi0S6MwQivPkLh5GUDSu8ecqlyJqJanuuk_DZNeZB6w9Apltx6c7maA_noVS3C9641gS7bBlZ9nQTIBIVzl89m/s320/EnglandPart6+167(web).jpg" border="0" /></a> Sleaford Rotarian Michael Brearley showed us around his farm Roxholme Estate. We tasted raw corn and sugar beat!<br /><br /><br /><strong>Airplanes and war history...</strong><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNyMHs4PvZI/AAAAAAAAAD8/OWTXT2dgirg/s1600-h/EnglandPart6+078(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250225329541201298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNyMHs4PvZI/AAAAAAAAAD8/OWTXT2dgirg/s320/EnglandPart6+078(web).jpg" border="0" /></a> Our Sleaford friends took us to RAF Coningsby and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitors Centre, where various British WWII aircraft are on display. It was quite interesting.<br /></div><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNyMH59bk-I/AAAAAAAAAEE/oW8ABw3M_Ls/s1600-h/EnglandPart6+084(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250225333052609506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNyMH59bk-I/AAAAAAAAAEE/oW8ABw3M_Ls/s320/EnglandPart6+084(web).jpg" border="0" /></a> Sleaford Club President Stephen Bath, some of our team and others from the Sleaford club listening to our guide.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLbqw6nvMrmyIKSyKK9v7DEbdtJD2hNSIhJDM9BwU5__ECXPk1cPDeL5uhOMcyiovtZ8Np2sZbHYMMbI5MIQvXSpAclRZo5mxbN3pcYA-2eL6cuUX2ajusHiI14q6PTqP8MtP6vw-zxRs/s1600-h/EnglandPart6+097(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250225336977243298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLbqw6nvMrmyIKSyKK9v7DEbdtJD2hNSIhJDM9BwU5__ECXPk1cPDeL5uhOMcyiovtZ8Np2sZbHYMMbI5MIQvXSpAclRZo5mxbN3pcYA-2eL6cuUX2ajusHiI14q6PTqP8MtP6vw-zxRs/s320/EnglandPart6+097(web).jpg" border="0" /></a>A WWII plane. </p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrOwGApwM362tM1P32Q1YmMxlCiMt3N5xTuqIlgksIM3Izav1nyvyRRT9TmKfERCNyVQbWD8S_mD6kFHfzghUSArk4CpTeqmIvbVS3wmoT-4X0pGdtvYY4qsIfUhY1BbjDZHGiMZrnIZv/s1600-h/EnglandPart6+071(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250225335834867074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrOwGApwM362tM1P32Q1YmMxlCiMt3N5xTuqIlgksIM3Izav1nyvyRRT9TmKfERCNyVQbWD8S_mD6kFHfzghUSArk4CpTeqmIvbVS3wmoT-4X0pGdtvYY4qsIfUhY1BbjDZHGiMZrnIZv/s320/EnglandPart6+071(web).jpg" border="0" /></a>Outside of Petwood Hotel, where we ate at Dambusters Bar, named for the WWII British Dam Buster planes that bombed Germany. </p><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbV2_b1PhHl9EedMsgaSetIKM_LU5pfMvy0gcIfpqKPFdUox9Z4JpLZJkE5rGJcSsHUcFejmPOPtkv2v1RbkrS8OwEFM286cSn46ob-nwWYN-QGSJgD0VybGIAIClopentAXxn0GxwqNs/s1600-h/EnglandPart6+115(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250225336463461938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbV2_b1PhHl9EedMsgaSetIKM_LU5pfMvy0gcIfpqKPFdUox9Z4JpLZJkE5rGJcSsHUcFejmPOPtkv2v1RbkrS8OwEFM286cSn46ob-nwWYN-QGSJgD0VybGIAIClopentAXxn0GxwqNs/s320/EnglandPart6+115(web).jpg" border="0" /></a> Tattershall Castle, built in 1432 by Ralph Cromwell (no relation to Oliver), who was Lord Treasurer of England. I think I'd like to have a castle. Nothing says you're somebody like a moat. </p><div></div><br /></div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05078447738820364478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-53152540094305826172008-09-26T00:05:00.000-07:002008-09-26T00:49:36.451-07:00Some more pictures from our time in the Deepings<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNyKQ0g4ECI/AAAAAAAAADk/iX0G2XHzSWs/s1600-h/EnglandPart6+055(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250223287186231330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNyKQ0g4ECI/AAAAAAAAADk/iX0G2XHzSWs/s320/EnglandPart6+055(web).jpg" border="0" /></a> After our croquet match, we were given PRE-PRINTED runner-up certificates! Sounds fishy to me!<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNyKRVHvGXI/AAAAAAAAADs/mgv0gubTFlA/s1600-h/EnglandPart6+059.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250223295939156338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNyKRVHvGXI/AAAAAAAAADs/mgv0gubTFlA/s320/EnglandPart6+059.jpg" border="0" /></a> I know this has absolutely anything to do with anything, but I fell in love with little Daisy while I was staying with Joe and Barbara. </p><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Fzq5dVkp90JFyLf7AdaS5WRGBgjJD277VLrHU7MkWBGPSuuMdQsw-gFt4chjAbdrCmTt3K8T8YD4BBovE5rLD_7MXYq9TGLrY0TxzdsvSi_EeFUC0RmDGNiDwc9rmMfDEyojnN3EmsxS/s1600-h/EnglandPart5+423(web).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250223297515528466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Fzq5dVkp90JFyLf7AdaS5WRGBgjJD277VLrHU7MkWBGPSuuMdQsw-gFt4chjAbdrCmTt3K8T8YD4BBovE5rLD_7MXYq9TGLrY0TxzdsvSi_EeFUC0RmDGNiDwc9rmMfDEyojnN3EmsxS/s320/EnglandPart5+423(web).jpg" border="0" /></a> I figured I had to include a shot of the whole gang enjoying time with our hosts at a local pub, The Goat.<br /></p></div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05078447738820364478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-80504166038197715012008-09-25T15:01:00.000-07:002008-09-26T00:50:33.492-07:00Hello from historic Stamford!<div align="center"><strong>Some pictures from our time in the Deepings:</strong><br /><br /><br /></div><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNwN9oJgH2I/AAAAAAAAADE/MkSy3SjUDzs/s1600-h/EnglandPart6+045.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250086618007609186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNwN9oJgH2I/AAAAAAAAADE/MkSy3SjUDzs/s320/EnglandPart6+045.jpg" border="0" /></a> Joe tries his hand at croquet during our UK/US matchup. </p><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin57NoS5wQBm6CD63Vu7ROeMirZwk1ifRDqETjNRnqj38fjvUcEU6EVZ3TJj5XWwA6t19O5gcSlUIChL9K5wni3og5_G8ljrcyqQAqDxCViy5fiOwRoi3bQS43nB8OoeS3073xmuZc83PA/s1600-h/EnglandPart6+047.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250086620740163458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin57NoS5wQBm6CD63Vu7ROeMirZwk1ifRDqETjNRnqj38fjvUcEU6EVZ3TJj5XWwA6t19O5gcSlUIChL9K5wni3og5_G8ljrcyqQAqDxCViy5fiOwRoi3bQS43nB8OoeS3073xmuZc83PA/s320/EnglandPart6+047.jpg" border="0" /></a> Turns out Colette was holding out on us and has some mad croquet skills.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNwN-CRVoCI/AAAAAAAAADU/0vVXoTLYqqM/s1600-h/EnglandPart6+050.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250086625019797538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNwN-CRVoCI/AAAAAAAAADU/0vVXoTLYqqM/s320/EnglandPart6+050.jpg" border="0" /></a> Good form, Eric, good form.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNwN-iOBFtI/AAAAAAAAADc/rgWLVhumyNg/s1600-h/EnglandPart6+054.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250086633595803346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNwN-iOBFtI/AAAAAAAAADc/rgWLVhumyNg/s320/EnglandPart6+054.jpg" border="0" /></a> Meanwhile Daisy and I relaxed while I brainstormed my next move.<br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNwMFPP51bI/AAAAAAAAAC0/ulncnQYq8n0/s1600-h/DSC01245.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250084549739271602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNwMFPP51bI/AAAAAAAAAC0/ulncnQYq8n0/s320/DSC01245.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Burghley House -- some scenes in Pride & Prejudice and The DaVinci Code were filmed there!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNwMFd4mYFI/AAAAAAAAAC8/onsE439C6N8/s1600-h/EnglandPart5+419.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250084553668059218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mscc968pZsQ/SNwMFd4mYFI/AAAAAAAAAC8/onsE439C6N8/s320/EnglandPart5+419.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Burghley House -- built by William Cecil in the 1500s for Queen Elizabeth I.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Our trip is just about at the halfway point -- crazy!! Where has the time gone? We arrived today in Stamford after a wonderful few days in Sleaford where we all had fantastic vocational days, roughed it on a couple of farms (trying raw corn and sugar beat, mind you!) and had an overall great experience. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05078447738820364478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-20455075812593582682008-09-21T14:00:00.000-07:002008-09-21T14:31:57.912-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUCEIYQGFR3ImJ6Fd8aLwsKHbfxqpFc0LfntfNzv0YZB4NwbsDthbSLlcRgbwatBblV6pCLDGScHI7XXtucYuVTcPfrsMpdJBb3eRXemB_hdJeEmymSKg9aSfKHuLvxA_CELBFQYSi9s/s1600-h/000_0001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248586088952897778" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUCEIYQGFR3ImJ6Fd8aLwsKHbfxqpFc0LfntfNzv0YZB4NwbsDthbSLlcRgbwatBblV6pCLDGScHI7XXtucYuVTcPfrsMpdJBb3eRXemB_hdJeEmymSKg9aSfKHuLvxA_CELBFQYSi9s/s200/000_0001.jpg" border="0" /></a>Arrival at Gatwick in England<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ48HFtHVDQQFuma8b28HoxLe7HXa2kzfx5aKFei90RyintdJQ0A2szDkL_ZpbvkAwNUY9MjzD0lQuwC-djbn2UrX-eXuXPqwPb3UdxSaKC3zRpXB7JE1U9p80x6CyShjC5qOF_X7yoLE/s1600-h/000_0002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248586093402367970" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ48HFtHVDQQFuma8b28HoxLe7HXa2kzfx5aKFei90RyintdJQ0A2szDkL_ZpbvkAwNUY9MjzD0lQuwC-djbn2UrX-eXuXPqwPb3UdxSaKC3zRpXB7JE1U9p80x6CyShjC5qOF_X7yoLE/s200/000_0002.jpg" border="0" /></a> District 1070 Iain Vernon<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv67w3Kl4PKyXnZy-zgCg-73UNWkHWtBFrry0lcESeihdZUdGDLIAWQpYPtK0PT6KuHMIvGXgisyLs_AvI2wDMr8EhkJbrkQjIhpZ_2SdLfcsk9tcgxFwdxni-dmgIqAR4NlcxnhKR60/s1600-h/000_0005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248586097154298146" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv67w3Kl4PKyXnZy-zgCg-73UNWkHWtBFrry0lcESeihdZUdGDLIAWQpYPtK0PT6KuHMIvGXgisyLs_AvI2wDMr8EhkJbrkQjIhpZ_2SdLfcsk9tcgxFwdxni-dmgIqAR4NlcxnhKR60/s200/000_0005.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our gracious hosts Bob and Sue Bartlett in Peterborough<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisluctotGwuONvxVp_C00WnUX1FEN_43WdNoiM5qk0KUhnzAM9-dq8s0c1P8zq0HVFgP6_7yhWrqk1OSbt0bVgx0ZnrFOUdk52jn8XAudIQr2zTREeccWX96bqgeqwxDCZv5WH8spKDnA/s1600-h/000_0008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248586105923202002" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisluctotGwuONvxVp_C00WnUX1FEN_43WdNoiM5qk0KUhnzAM9-dq8s0c1P8zq0HVFgP6_7yhWrqk1OSbt0bVgx0ZnrFOUdk52jn8XAudIQr2zTREeccWX96bqgeqwxDCZv5WH8spKDnA/s200/000_0008.jpg" border="0" /></a> A welcome party by Martin and Mary Helen in Peterborough<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmmfqlfDE_HM4tuvvj5E7D3IYkwBb8OySvHvT6z91sd_ug5nYoVI4ZPl3F_ZUq6g7c45x7D5-aGfntyQ0km4b-FtEM9CcigOqRaZoYVYWHvLipDjjHGoWkopIBaXR8UiYuQEgch0k1zI/s1600-h/000_0019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248586115028391298" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmmfqlfDE_HM4tuvvj5E7D3IYkwBb8OySvHvT6z91sd_ug5nYoVI4ZPl3F_ZUq6g7c45x7D5-aGfntyQ0km4b-FtEM9CcigOqRaZoYVYWHvLipDjjHGoWkopIBaXR8UiYuQEgch0k1zI/s200/000_0019.jpg" border="0" /></a> Bob and Sue Bartlett<br /><div></div>Dr. Bill Greenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14223773922051783451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-23496343060587774522008-09-21T13:28:00.000-07:002008-09-21T13:52:58.220-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQYDAaZ5YMLeXNJF_NEIPYjZVEfh-3ZJwh4OK9-f-b1jmtaALZ1B6jEQtj-CI0lBL4ORY8qJE05vkKoEP8jY564PLUqLSc-spadbgZTXF_N_xl-cK4oJ9Y0etLWLHZGaopWtNk_ySwOU/s1600-h/100_0042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248579995373090258" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQYDAaZ5YMLeXNJF_NEIPYjZVEfh-3ZJwh4OK9-f-b1jmtaALZ1B6jEQtj-CI0lBL4ORY8qJE05vkKoEP8jY564PLUqLSc-spadbgZTXF_N_xl-cK4oJ9Y0etLWLHZGaopWtNk_ySwOU/s200/100_0042.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Peterborough Cathedral<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEasy2tjUR1v53nfK8MHX2nPHqemjudQvWctL-1nQ7R-scLYa7qyIqKvCTGyzkczEeLfLivU9dM28myzpwy2j0IbPW-vgur0Yx7XSotcenPUR57ITMs4Fds7iY4W7UyZtilXqBioS-mLw/s1600-h/100_0043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248580002004014818" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEasy2tjUR1v53nfK8MHX2nPHqemjudQvWctL-1nQ7R-scLYa7qyIqKvCTGyzkczEeLfLivU9dM28myzpwy2j0IbPW-vgur0Yx7XSotcenPUR57ITMs4Fds7iY4W7UyZtilXqBioS-mLw/s200/100_0043.jpg" border="0" /></a> Town Hall, Leicester<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvl1zS3VcHEAEBF633D4i4BGekTW5tBK71LAJks3CGfON0p0atSeteAD6h-wm8RGOb9mBUZB6P9Zk5bSptnJ2ZqgAbM_hM5Vp9WzZ3HN__11VCsWay0WRcmpmiX3BQXfGDfuRU0Wm5pw4/s1600-h/100_0044.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248580007217613314" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvl1zS3VcHEAEBF633D4i4BGekTW5tBK71LAJks3CGfON0p0atSeteAD6h-wm8RGOb9mBUZB6P9Zk5bSptnJ2ZqgAbM_hM5Vp9WzZ3HN__11VCsWay0WRcmpmiX3BQXfGDfuRU0Wm5pw4/s200/100_0044.jpg" border="0" /></a> Foxton Locks<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3XQQ4UZiQESppua3r1GA-TKoqlPvamUsLpyXtCOblkthffm1VAIL0hX_17oSmxovvlPimYbQbX2ViuBzlFnedwZLXWuao9hxqSDVqs-rE2yUP2uQaDx4Korf16djnfqfXwI4g4_Eais/s1600-h/100_0045.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248580014481845058" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3XQQ4UZiQESppua3r1GA-TKoqlPvamUsLpyXtCOblkthffm1VAIL0hX_17oSmxovvlPimYbQbX2ViuBzlFnedwZLXWuao9hxqSDVqs-rE2yUP2uQaDx4Korf16djnfqfXwI4g4_Eais/s200/100_0045.jpg" border="0" /></a> Hosts Howard and Moira Bartlett in the PubDr. Bill Greenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14223773922051783451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-83075266373910809412008-09-21T11:11:00.000-07:002008-09-21T11:40:50.545-07:00Final night at the deepings<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kBRgjw1NNg8CkEI8_pyjvIVg2y1APMZxBuZQBDSwMxcqcUIL6nfbdM6BMTOSE9n_uor-lL3ehwKckiRp78wPgXM46-2upZ_-2rFf-_nVOMG4kFgjyPc1VfZI0uGwh3iqdsRUOEZpHso/s1600-h/P1000456.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248541381196116018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kBRgjw1NNg8CkEI8_pyjvIVg2y1APMZxBuZQBDSwMxcqcUIL6nfbdM6BMTOSE9n_uor-lL3ehwKckiRp78wPgXM46-2upZ_-2rFf-_nVOMG4kFgjyPc1VfZI0uGwh3iqdsRUOEZpHso/s320/P1000456.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSec8NUntZBKcyOprBL5cq9Riu3L0T-OPg4ca1GqXR0xsDIB7G6o6VeuBoIxzamvkBZ2bltpoU5ShUf5-csdt0abkMETYwqochjybRG4pjzQwbmjtp2yDLX3U7_y_IsjmgW2asFcTK28/s1600-h/P1000453.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248540498134994434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSec8NUntZBKcyOprBL5cq9Riu3L0T-OPg4ca1GqXR0xsDIB7G6o6VeuBoIxzamvkBZ2bltpoU5ShUf5-csdt0abkMETYwqochjybRG4pjzQwbmjtp2yDLX3U7_y_IsjmgW2asFcTK28/s320/P1000453.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div>Greetings from the Deepings, I started off the morning walking with my host family and Joe. Here are a few pictures of what I saw on the walk...</div><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwH4Yt-plbHF6i1fPi83N49O92oJADJJqgLvoz83cKXz9tz-bniSAdEhSbAp2aeS_jAdterNmbFoWOCGhpgvOrLvRlnttp07FWh_agb0K8HpQpTrvn1BBdVcZI9kR81WU9Q6kGwh7bSA/s1600-h/P1000451.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248540173917983810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwH4Yt-plbHF6i1fPi83N49O92oJADJJqgLvoz83cKXz9tz-bniSAdEhSbAp2aeS_jAdterNmbFoWOCGhpgvOrLvRlnttp07FWh_agb0K8HpQpTrvn1BBdVcZI9kR81WU9Q6kGwh7bSA/s320/P1000451.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div>After our long walk we were treated to a "proper" full English breakfast prepared by my host Gordon and Elaine Wiggins:<br /></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2P47VSX89DZVz1XqW1HC-rfj8aDFnBiu0uBqt1iV152GmWBBBKNdK1l9njFQpLsephCnmij_AvUlBVKR56qxCYWDgMHOrj940d4ctmPQ2vXDiUyGh43gHGV7djw5xTFXCOtDWVS5-Xw0/s1600-h/P1000487.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248542692700713090" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2P47VSX89DZVz1XqW1HC-rfj8aDFnBiu0uBqt1iV152GmWBBBKNdK1l9njFQpLsephCnmij_AvUlBVKR56qxCYWDgMHOrj940d4ctmPQ2vXDiUyGh43gHGV7djw5xTFXCOtDWVS5-Xw0/s320/P1000487.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEwunvU1tBwcyn63MunYX_WQz9qr2CBANvRDf-XcNbqQ8OaPd31Bx2RimwNx1kEDKW6wQVYhlx1uMdp9n0EOFIfKxmHy-eQOYiH_4CUovQa03J_M_uBueE5fjBgpH_u1bzd1wllLmBaw/s1600-h/P1000486.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248544850422717042" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEwunvU1tBwcyn63MunYX_WQz9qr2CBANvRDf-XcNbqQ8OaPd31Bx2RimwNx1kEDKW6wQVYhlx1uMdp9n0EOFIfKxmHy-eQOYiH_4CUovQa03J_M_uBueE5fjBgpH_u1bzd1wllLmBaw/s320/P1000486.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p>Once we finished our breakfast I rested up for our big Croquet against Team Great Britain and Northern Ireland. We gave them a good fight but in the end we ended up losing, sorry to say.</p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1iEWe18Acu5gDhyphenhyphenF1NB9ZNfwg-KiDrYL8-db9CDWDSWyV_28Q5SyB4j0b22B4AA8egpHj53f3utmfj78gN36YZ7EK9I-yHZGlz6Q5a1E2cl8ErZT7vAJm8pFoCiy8km851i1twmJeco/s1600-h/P1000496.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248543994007832706" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1iEWe18Acu5gDhyphenhyphenF1NB9ZNfwg-KiDrYL8-db9CDWDSWyV_28Q5SyB4j0b22B4AA8egpHj53f3utmfj78gN36YZ7EK9I-yHZGlz6Q5a1E2cl8ErZT7vAJm8pFoCiy8km851i1twmJeco/s320/P1000496.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KPvy9h4Nffu2WJSx7K2Ro8Cxyre8mVD-qU9Q567ChYLKVKjOZ_OKA17lge7iquL37kDgD2WN529Cvtmer5grTT2CddimY0KhQXntG56u_kzMoSSdNfy5KxctxZI0dCO3MIcqXNFuivs/s1600-h/P1000501.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248544350586576466" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KPvy9h4Nffu2WJSx7K2Ro8Cxyre8mVD-qU9Q567ChYLKVKjOZ_OKA17lge7iquL37kDgD2WN529Cvtmer5grTT2CddimY0KhQXntG56u_kzMoSSdNfy5KxctxZI0dCO3MIcqXNFuivs/s320/P1000501.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After our defeat at Croquet, we were treated to scones prepared by Mary Martin. Again, no I will not bring you back any...</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4tLe22HFxNMh6vG2BfJ5C-FSD41RlPNxMI1CtRD8-GscOT-hZQ1Yc2JDp9LVweSLjxUW0TLpEqK9CVifNoaeeBO0IqXCZwpy_DT92BfR9L0oVOKBPMUvJz0iIrZVXba69daiA9GmDZ8/s1600-h/P1000514.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248545481500167762" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4tLe22HFxNMh6vG2BfJ5C-FSD41RlPNxMI1CtRD8-GscOT-hZQ1Yc2JDp9LVweSLjxUW0TLpEqK9CVifNoaeeBO0IqXCZwpy_DT92BfR9L0oVOKBPMUvJz0iIrZVXba69daiA9GmDZ8/s320/P1000514.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="center">And congrats to the winners!!!!</div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AxPBcv271KymYIiK23TDKzHi958Ct5aIhe7bXYTYO-kXGlBHRzFRBdtHMlfSFAcX_gdHqtf0YhFgcRG97pmNXf6FcJxa6dJZD_M5cCZXwQjxg4_NnWYoFR1gmWERxtorM-xhMm9jhB0/s1600-h/P1000506.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248545921436472930" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AxPBcv271KymYIiK23TDKzHi958Ct5aIhe7bXYTYO-kXGlBHRzFRBdtHMlfSFAcX_gdHqtf0YhFgcRG97pmNXf6FcJxa6dJZD_M5cCZXwQjxg4_NnWYoFR1gmWERxtorM-xhMm9jhB0/s320/P1000506.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div>DiLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05253418999308064030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-43313449559063000222008-09-21T03:26:00.000-07:002008-09-21T03:31:12.274-07:00Becoming more English every dayI think our team of five Americans is becoming a little more English with every passing day! Saturday we went on a heritage walk around Market Deeping, which was really informative and allowed us to walk through streets of beautiful homes and buildings and churches. Then in the afternoon we toured Burghley House in Lincolnshire, which was built as a part-time home-away-from-home for Queen Elizabeth I -- wow!!!<br /><br />Then last night the group all converged on Colette's hosts, Mike and Val, for a dinner of fish and chips. YUM. We dined on tasty fish, chips with vinegar and mushy peas. Yes, mushy peas. :) After we'd eaten ourselves silly, we headed to The Goat, a local pub for a bit. Colette and I tried to be daring in our first round of lagers, trying one called Bitter and Twisted -- a bit TOO bitter for us, I must say. Then I settled on Stella Artois, which was quite nice. I think a good time was had by all during our evening at The Goat.<br /><br />Today we've got to put our game faces on for a US vs. UK game of croquet! Wish us luck!Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05078447738820364478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-31325174036665711542008-09-19T16:46:00.000-07:002008-09-21T13:24:47.763-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqE4SFO8RtlVV2ujZAv0sC7DR5pRpcNLQvaYVImxE_9f9t22bsOdTKN60mHlmahVelw-SsEKLEuJm-T7d6ZET0ZZ5puvbUDpvLvG1j2YIAMvr7HuGdcZe-ENDMd85g8mu1oDXQEKvBCA/s1600-h/100_0051.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247883961148684610" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqE4SFO8RtlVV2ujZAv0sC7DR5pRpcNLQvaYVImxE_9f9t22bsOdTKN60mHlmahVelw-SsEKLEuJm-T7d6ZET0ZZ5puvbUDpvLvG1j2YIAMvr7HuGdcZe-ENDMd85g8mu1oDXQEKvBCA/s200/100_0051.jpg" border="0" /></a> It is 1 A.M. I hope you find these photos interesting. Since a picture is worth 1,000 words, I have said enough for today.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjaL58FnD2hd2lrheDJ-Wnrba4wEXgnGppP1kQyz2AJnKanBL4kK3XhBg15OCQFvg-3u52LEX1k26xcJ2zZ7ED9fLTVKZ3x38AXFRGr8V-yPoIflBpJZx1M9gsJMmBBxsGPKCTGtzHF4/s1600-h/100_0055.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247883969710141106" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjaL58FnD2hd2lrheDJ-Wnrba4wEXgnGppP1kQyz2AJnKanBL4kK3XhBg15OCQFvg-3u52LEX1k26xcJ2zZ7ED9fLTVKZ3x38AXFRGr8V-yPoIflBpJZx1M9gsJMmBBxsGPKCTGtzHF4/s200/100_0055.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXW-obQlbale4ssimjqTX3pqDCph1G5beIhQsUfA2sCmWvcDrqPGEzc3yIs_q1KBwikf0Cj8fCxOfVK6DA03ZprafMPCOGMQ0PJc8kIy7DaLexp-olWdKvImS9g6S5Xxcv39FYBoncMJI/s1600-h/100_0057.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247883981115369298" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXW-obQlbale4ssimjqTX3pqDCph1G5beIhQsUfA2sCmWvcDrqPGEzc3yIs_q1KBwikf0Cj8fCxOfVK6DA03ZprafMPCOGMQ0PJc8kIy7DaLexp-olWdKvImS9g6S5Xxcv39FYBoncMJI/s200/100_0057.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSGiSKXSP5Q23vLVpGTchtuu6avOHo8qnJqr4jYvm9pVBC3HidOy51Wbm0gj2axPQTzK0ZQPahZoDkxCaDflpz6A5nFdEG_toqzjxbHlc6xxHOpmL3Bk0v19QI5aVKyRHUYsiGpEbQvo/s1600-h/100_0061.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247883987120037634" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSGiSKXSP5Q23vLVpGTchtuu6avOHo8qnJqr4jYvm9pVBC3HidOy51Wbm0gj2axPQTzK0ZQPahZoDkxCaDflpz6A5nFdEG_toqzjxbHlc6xxHOpmL3Bk0v19QI5aVKyRHUYsiGpEbQvo/s200/100_0061.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LU_OumhA9nUTgA-x43bilvkELql3DYYDgFswDXL_4YiFzqmrpk0eiohhyphenhyphenoSJjcd7Ixg-hjsbN8F8f63uzHJ7mlbTSX1Qx7-lr2N3BVmBhf_QDUABNbL4GRI3LvBm8MB2ZK4UOsiV66g/s1600-h/100_0069.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247883992103126210" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LU_OumhA9nUTgA-x43bilvkELql3DYYDgFswDXL_4YiFzqmrpk0eiohhyphenhyphenoSJjcd7Ixg-hjsbN8F8f63uzHJ7mlbTSX1Qx7-lr2N3BVmBhf_QDUABNbL4GRI3LvBm8MB2ZK4UOsiV66g/s200/100_0069.jpg" border="0" /></a>Dr. Bill Greenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14223773922051783451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1856195036137143385.post-89945749500656413562008-09-19T16:15:00.000-07:002008-09-21T13:28:08.372-07:00<a 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href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii70mwPXGArw1Z65Ogq6SUiNo0YzKTmsYms9R4kHWzs3SZwe0JqhAeVan_8nIKeDN_YUJaSnumD0jdEMX8NaApu03_EJnihR7NwCv9wQ0nC7Tfz4mKewZ-iXTMXt_Bo93WrqLpYAe3Flw/s1600-h/100_0051.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247876292831713826" style="CURSOR: hand" height="1" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii70mwPXGArw1Z65Ogq6SUiNo0YzKTmsYms9R4kHWzs3SZwe0JqhAeVan_8nIKeDN_YUJaSnumD0jdEMX8NaApu03_EJnihR7NwCv9wQ0nC7Tfz4mKewZ-iXTMXt_Bo93WrqLpYAe3Flw/s200/100_0051.jpg" width="8" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXTYU29NKhkOmvZ0Jvw3ygMA_KnevPVeJJxAiTC5Rv7X6nt0vfD99-jp1SVQeL0GNR2Gd9DzsEWS3E_8i0893ZRQHyQguwckBb46d6JN0BT5ySBgVN-ohXwkMxgXAHGguow9jdudkDWI/s1600-h/100_0055.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247876296879478018" style="CURSOR: hand" height="3" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXTYU29NKhkOmvZ0Jvw3ygMA_KnevPVeJJxAiTC5Rv7X6nt0vfD99-jp1SVQeL0GNR2Gd9DzsEWS3E_8i0893ZRQHyQguwckBb46d6JN0BT5ySBgVN-ohXwkMxgXAHGguow9jdudkDWI/s200/100_0055.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Dr. Bill Greenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14223773922051783451noreply@blogger.com0