Ello,

 Team member Nat here just wanted to say how much of a fantastic experience I've had so far!

I didn't sleep a wink on either of the flights and on the one from Heathrow to Washington I watched the same film 3 times!

Have had amazing host families and met so many lovely people that have made all of us feel so welcome.

On animal watch so far I have seen:

8 Dogs

3 Cats

2 Alligators (thankfully not too closely)

4 Deer (although 2 of them were stuffed and mounted!)

3 Water Spiders (I didn't spend long in that pool!)

 I've had some great vocational days and learnt lots already.

I've been taken to a Jazz Bar and saw Rebirth, Toured 2 bewerys, shot 3 different guns, driven a jeep off road, had lessons with a golf pro, been to a tailgate and watched an American Football game, played roulett at a casino (and won),  went to a Basket Ball game and have been to Bourbon Street!

All that and it's not even been 2 weeks yet! I done more too that's just all I can remember right now!

 Off to a Space Station now, if I meet E.T I'll say hi.

My arms and legs look like they have chicken pox but they're only gnat bites.....so you can get close....I'm not contagious...

I'm sitting writing this in an all American Car Lot......it's hot and it's dusty and it's great.

Ok Guys and Guyesses.....we're now in Covington Louisiana.....are you sitting comfortably....then I'll begin...

How y'all doin....

What a welcome.....lunch in a pub and then onto Rotarian Elizabeth's house where a mini Rotarian....Sophia, had made an English Afternoon Tea for us.  Now then....not only were the crusts cut off the cucumber sandwiches but they were cut into all different shapes.....and she had made cakes.....and scones....

They obviously know how to bring their children up well in Louisiana.

Our group split up for the evening....I was taken for a meal to a beautiful waterfront restaurant and the rest of the group chose to go to a movie and have a guided tour of the area.

We were there Saturday and Sunday so it was difficult to arrange vocational days but we were introduced to American Football...we lost.. but only just....I think...but there were plenty of adverts to make up for it....I say this as I 'duck'.

Now probably only my son will appreciate the significance of this....on the Sunday morning, I was given the opportunity to experience what it was like to attend a  service at a Southern Baptist Church.....it was absolutely one of the best experiences of my life....mind blowing and I look forward to being able to tell y'all about it....

Normally, the Rotary club meet on a Tuesday but because we were leaving on the Monday morning, we gave our presentation at a special gathering at 7.00am before we were picked up.  Once again I thought it went really well and no matter how many times I hear our team present, it always has a freshness about it.....I don't think I will ever tire of hearing it....they're a good bunch and liked by everyone they meet.....and they seem to be enjoying themselves....well as much as they can with me lurking in the background.

We were picked up immediately following our presentation and taken to Bay St Louis Mississippi which is where I'm writing this.....

I finished my vocational day at 3.00pm and have taken the opportunity to write this when I was given acess to a PC....

I'm going to try and keep our visits separate and not let everything roll into one...doing it this way, will I hope, help you to virtually plot our journey....

The one thing in common though is the way that each Rotarian we have met have opened up their hearts and their homes to us and have done their absolute best to give us the opportunity to experience what life is like in 'The Deep South'.....

Did I tell you I was going to be a Grandma....

I start with an apology and condolences.....apparently I'm responsible for the increase in suicide rates in St Albans......people are throwing themselves onto the M1 rather than having to look at my photograph.....if only you guys knew how long it took me to upload it you wouldn't be so awful......I do have to admit though....it is pretty grim...

However.....God shines his light upon you all because today I travelled from Mississippi to Louisiana.....and.....I'm staying with a Master of 'all things Technical' and so watch this space....you never know.... 

So ok....what have we been doing since last we spoke....

Although I told you that we had moved on, I don't think I told you that we travelled from St Charles in Louisiana to McComb in Mississippi.

The team once again found their vocation day extremely interesting and beneficial......and I think began to realise just how much effort each club puts into making our visit as meaningful and as enjoyable as possible.

The following day we all visited a shooting range. I'm not sure if this activity was initially designed for Neville our policeman but we were all able to participate.  We took aim at a head and shoulder target and shot Colt and Kruger hand guns and a machine gun the make of which I know not.....well I passed on the machine gun.....I decided that following the recovery from a frozen shoulder, the after effects of absorbing the 'kick back' from the rapid fire of bullets wasn't worth the risk.......

at the end of the activity the team went into 'group pose' mode.......picture this.......knees bent.... arms outstretched....muscles flexed.......eyes mean......lips pursed.......Pamela's Angels were born.......I say no more
 
It's difficult finding spare minutes but if I can get Kate near a laptop....I shall ask her very nicely if she'll upload a photograph for you....I think I've given up on the idea of being able to do it myself.....and by the time I read and re-read the manual Kate will have it done.
 
In the afternoon, we went for a terror trip in jeeps driving up and down mountains that had lots of knobbly bits....yes I know there are no mountains in Louisiana but it felt like it.
 
We ate.......and we ate ......and we ate......and the food was to die for.
 
This morning, after another very sad farewell we were collected and taken to our next port of call, back to Louisian to Covington...........and there I have to leave it........

....to be continued

The first RIBI General Council of 2010/11...  Prior to the start of GC, my colleague DG Roger Percival and I had made arrangments for all the DGs to meet at 11am in Alcester for an update on Thanks for Life.

It was good to see our 'new' friends again and there was a really healthy level of feedback on how the Districts are approaching TfL and what the stumbling blocks for some have been. The GC meeting started after lunch at 2pm. The meeting is held in the Council Chamber at RIBI HQ - basically it's a room laid out in a semi-circular configuration, two rows of fixed seating with table rests to support the multitude of papers that are issued! Seated at the head of the room are the RIBI President, Immediate Past President, Secretary/CEO, Treasurer and Vice President. It's a good set-up, everyone can see each other and the accoustics are great!

So, what did we discuss?  Well that would take ages to blog about so for those of you that are interested I've written a report and loaded that to the website! If you login and go to  http://www.rotary1260.org.uk/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=51&Itemid=108 you'll get the full story!

GC finished on Monday afternoon and I then had time with the Operations staff at RIBI arranging a meeting date for the Thanks for Life Coordinators. My next job is to invite them to attend and make sure we pull together a worthwhile agenda...

Easy drive home for a change and of course on to the computer to see how much email traffic has arrived!  A good time was had by all over the last couple of days and it's back to work and Club visits now...