I’ve riden to work twice so far this week, 12Km/8miles in about 35 mins get there red faced and seriously sweaty.  Maybe a short run on Thursday night to get some sprint practice in, mind you a transit van coming at you from nowhere gets the bike moving quite quickly.

Back to normal in work the usual ups and downs but settling back into it.

I’m finding it really hard to talk to people about the GSE trip.  Specific questions I can answer but the “So How was it?” Is a bugger.  How do you describe 4 weeks in 5 mins????

Was meant to stay awake until tonight but no chance, had a power nap and a beer now I’m ready to unpack.  Strange and lovely to be back home.  Hardly feels like I’ve been away but so much has happened how can this be?

To all GSE and Rotarians out there, Many thanks for making last month possible, we all have gained so much from it.  Invaluable. 

Simon

One more Blog at least to follow with the photo link.

 Last  night was brilliant so lovely to see so many of my past hosts there. big hugs to all.  Gavin had to stop talking, he had got to where I was Sunday.  Luke left me his poem to read and that carried me through, full showman mode, with footnotes for those not in the know.

 Said good bye too Joseph and Lana this morning, really weird feeling. 

Want to go home so much, I’ve been trading e.mails with steph this morning cause O2 have stuffed up my phone again, the usual banter, can’t wait to see her again but I don’t wasnt to leave.

Can’t have my cake and eat it, so we’ll just have to come back or yous (Glasgow for Youall) can come over to see us. Please do.

Better get this put away and wrapped up safe for the flight. 

Tot Zeins

 Simon

Another round of Golf this morning cheers Tim and John (we won’t hold being Canadian against you too much) and I actually won a Hole and split 3 or 4, improving slowly, wonder if Grandads old clubs still work.   

Presentation today at High Point Rotary, apt.  I had been afraid on Sunday that this week would be an anti climax after Conference.  It hasn’t been.  It was not the psychotic madness of last week and weekend but the pace was great, varied and interesting, gently bring us back ready for reality but still rolling along the GSE Ride.  Thanks I needed it.   

Tonight will be tough on all of us, Guests and Hosts, I can already feel it building as I packed this afternoon.  Burying the fragile stuff and minimising bag numbers for travel.  Hope we don’t disappoint.  So many Tot Zeins.  Random one the K9 dogs from yesterday were Dutch Maussers, trained in Holland and answer to Dutch commands, it was totally left field to hear that in NC.   

People have asked about “Best Bits”, not sure yet, too many great and different things, lots stand out.  All the hosts have been wonderful in different, special, ways.  All the new things, turning wood, playing golf, public speaking, Mitzi’s infectious laugh, TR McCoys sense of Humour, Harrys Accents,  beer tasting (honest), 9 Ball pool, Victory Junction, The Bread Basket, feeding donkeys and on and on and on.No I won’t pick a favourite it’s all been too good.   

Many Many Many thanks to all of 7690 every one we’ve met or done something behind the scenes or in front.  Also Thanks to 1230 for putting us up for this. 

 “It’s been a total BLAST”Simon.

Time to get kilted up for the last dance.  

Those that know my know I’m a fairly sporty type,  I’ll have a go at anything, apart from raw cheese!!!(Evil) So tonight I dropped into big cousin mode and played B ball with Joseph (9) and Lana (8).  2 on 1 half court, gentlemen’s rules apply.  8-8 I got my ass handed me by a 9 year old on the dribbling and an 8 year old that can hit 3 pointers on a 50 50.  Not so much with the mister nice guy by the end. 

The day started at the Highpoint Chamber of Commerce, by far the most professional one we have seen (about our 4th or 5th) and the best equipped with rooms and IT kit to help businesses going forward.  From there to the Ice cram factory, Hmmm, Harry was banned form eating any more by the lady giving the tour. No dessert for Harry at Lunch time.

Afternoon was over to Al, (Gavin Host) who is a supervisor (lieutenant) for the street crime unit of Highpoint PD.  1^st up a tour of the precinct, fortunately they let me back out of the holding cell eventually.  An intriguing tour then the K9 Division.  Officers T Bone and Wolf (they were the 2 legged officers I swear) gave us a good back ground and then a show.  I can really not call it played with the dogs because whilst it was informative it was also scary as all hell let loose.  The sniffing was fine, I’d been on the receiving end of that on the way in to the
US.  The find the lost keys OK.  The leap form the moving car to grapple Wolf with arm guard on before the car has stopped and the door opened.  WOW, they could not get him to let go.  Gavin took over 100 pics He had full sports mode on I got over 50, word of advise to those criminally minded out there.  Don’t do it in NC, you’ll get caught in pain and the jails ain’t much nicer.  Then the call centre, 112 works (UK/European emergency call number), it goes direct to local Emergency services centre. 

Cheers Al, great tour. 

On a sadder note, today was the first full day with out Luke and Kevin in the country.  Felt really off the boss would have loaded that. 

Sweet Dreams

Simon

PS Thurday evening – I’ve just re read the total jiberish of that last scentence and can’t for the life of me think what I was trying for apart from the odd feeling to know they were not about nearby.

Monday was a good vocational Day, I know Gavin missed having Luke around, it was the first Voc Day He’s had by himself. 

 I had a morning at Shmidt Industries with Alan, an importer of leather tied (mostly) to a German Tannery, we talked of the global leather trade and filled in a few gaps in my knowledge and maybe I can help him in the future. 

Lunch at Furnitureland Rotary Club, Gavin and I were guests not the main program. We did a short hello and introduction of ourselves, was very pleasant not to feel on show.

An afternoon at High Point University, with Dr Winters, talking about motivation, culture change and people skills.  Some good articles on work place theory, need to read them. 

The good bye get together last night was tough but necessary, pizza and beer and sadness.  I’ll miss them both but it is the right call for Kevin in case he hurts is foot worse than it already is.  He made the conference which was important to him and to all of us I feel. 

Today was lighter weight an explore of the Piedmont Environmental Centre with Dick and Tonya and Skip.  Great fun many pics of birds and flowers.  An interesting discussion on the local geography, flora and fauna, also we saw a red headed wood pecker and lots of other cool stuff.  Lovely lunch at a sandwich shop then on to a NASCAR team site.  Fantastic tour, very interested and interesting guy, great cars, lovely workshop, great design info.  Many thanks for setting that up. 

Went to a Cub Scout promotion meeting this evening with my Host family Joseph has just become a Wolf Scout (different system from UK) a privilege to me to be there.  

Bed time, ice cream factory tomorrow amongst other stuff, Good night folks. 

Simon

This is Gavins on line Photo Album,  I’ll do one when i get back and post the adress on here so you’ll need to keep watching 

http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/gavthescot/album?.dir=/8db9re2&.src=ph&.tok=phUrakGB4z_gJvyZ

Simon

OK I know big news just now is Virginia Tech and that had an odd effect on this afternoon. 

However our big news is Kevin has decided it is time to head home.  He and Luke are booked on a flight from Raleigh tomorrow lunch timeish.  going to be a very weird last few days with half the team missing. 

 By the way the comments yo’all have been posting and the numbers of you logging on and reading this have really encouraged me.  A low day is 20 and a good one 75+ so THANKS.

Simon

Fantastic evening over all so some of the highlights.

Mitzi’s Dream team of Area Assistant Governors and Aides did a Blues Brothers rendition as the warm up act to dinner, genius.  All these senior (in rank) Rotarians letting their hair down big style right up in front of the whole of the conference.  The whole event has been a great mix of serious moments of Rotary business and high comedy to build enthusiasm and friendship.  Good dinner, great company at the table, then lots of awards to clubs.  Best I can make out 7690 is a really active and driven district lots of Clubs with 100% Paul Harris Fellowships a big Rotary thing. 

 Then at the end… I had given the AV lad some pics of our trip so far including one of DG Mitzi wearing my Saltire Jester hat.  This got put up on the big screen as an almost ran in a Picture competition.  Good laugh but the picy was blurred so I went and got the hat and DG Elect Dave “The Real” McCoy butts into Mitzis closing address so I can hand it over to her.  Massive laugh for all and I hope Mitzi wears it next year.

The Clemmons party came next, slow to start but once it was running much dancing ensued.  Jason had a black Kilt on and had lots of fun joining in.  Great to have lots of the previous hosts and Rotarians we’d met, even for a day, around plenty of folk to dance with. Jason played his guitar for a while as the DJ shut down. 

Then the after party at TT’s suite, He really is a bad influence.  My jacket got mislaid between Clemmens and TT and taken care of by Jason and Luke but it had my room key in it.  I didn’t figure this out until 3 or no point trying to wake Gavin so I crashed out on a couch eventually. 

Slow start to the morning surprisingly I made breakfast, retrieved the jacket (thanks folks), then I got all sad, saying good byes to folk really got to me this morning, being tired didn’t help but I do hope they all show up Thursday or Friday for the good bye party. 

Drove back to NC, to High Point exactly, for the last week, with DG Elect Dave “The Real” McCoy and his wife.  Great to talk at length (between naps) about what Rotary means to someone as senior as Dave.  Kevin is in a hotel again tonight, Luke helping out to give Harry some down time.  He is getting good on the crutches no news on the flights yet though. 

Bed time, lets see what the week holds.

Cheers Folks

Simon.

Terry Titus, (my host) loves to cook. Tonight he prepared special Greek Meal:

DOLMADES (stuffed grape leaf)

SOUVLAKI   (special grilled Pork)

MEDITERRANEAN RICE

TRADITIONAL GREEK SALAD

FRESH FRUIT

All prepared specially   THank you Terry

Kevin Rejoins the team tomorrow. Expect to see him at the Rag Apple Lassie

Harry

Sorry I’m late posting this but it’s TT’s fault.
Simon