Home again

The team, minus Louise N are now home, thankfully mising the ash cloud.
Everyone back at work, tired but excited to relay their experiences to colleagues.
Thank you letters have been flying accross the pond, with many E mails being recieved with more photographs.
A few final tasters from the 100's in the archives.  You will have top turn up at a presentation by members of the team to see more!!!!

 

The team will now try and organise a face to face , to share photos, chat and prepare reports.
Ah well, work never stops !!!!

Farewell Falmouth!

We all met for a wonderful breakfast to say goodbye to our new friends and host families.  There were a couple of surprise guests in the form of the local television crew who were there to interview us.  In between the bacon and eggs we were all interviewed.

After long goodbyes we were on our way back to our original host families from week 1 - where has the month gone? The girls laying out the food at Phil and Annes for our final meal, with hosts and friends popping in.

One more step along the Cape we go....

Hosted by Hyannis Rotary we met at the Cape Cod Community College where we were looked after by President Kathy.  We even managed to squeeze in some Vocational time which was worthwhile and a wee bonus for us all.

After lunch we visited the JFK Memorial and then the museum before being taken for a well earned cup of tea - well it was past 3pm!

A visit to Zion museum, which is a memorial and tribute to the American Civil Rights movement was thought provoking and extremely interesting.

We were also able to visit and be photographed by the Congressman, who was having an open day.

We attended a special Rotary Club meeting which was devoted to the work of the Meals on Wheels Volunteers in Hyannis.  We were introduced to the company however there was no time for us to do our presentation or singing!

We arrived back at our host families about 9pm - a long day for us all.

The Proclaimers

The four days we were in Falmouth were proclaimed GSE days by the Falmouth Town Manager.
We were met by Selectman Brent Putman, also the town manager and heads from many departments who were to provide  our vocational days. We then met up at a fishmongers for lunch in Woods Hole.  Then went to the titanic museum and a little more shopping!

In the evening, Ian was taken to visit a local theatre whilst the rest of the team were entertained by some of the host rotarians and friends.  Ian joined us later and there was even some dancing to the proclaimers!
A great night had by all.

Ferry to Falmouth

We were met off the ferry by Falmouth Rotary Club and then went to visit the United States Coastguard at Woods Hole for a tour where we got to see inside the control room and onto one of the boats.  Matt was the Captain of the ship and showed us the best bits of the US coast guard, and it was great to find out he was a Rotarian and that we would be seeing him that evening!

We met our host families for lunch and discussed the programme for the next few days.  That evening we got dressed up for our last presentation at Falmouth Rotary Club.  We really enjoyed the evening and the reception we received.  It was particularly special as President Jim told us is it was the first time Falmouth had ever hosted a Rotary team.

Gingerbread Land

Next morning we headed to Oak Bluffs to see the gingerbread houses!  We had  a tour of the town and saw the Tabnacle, all of us felt like munchkins!  Lunch was hosted by Marthas Vineyard Rotary Club at Sharkies – which was very appropriate given Jaws was filmed in Marthas Vineyard!  We then visted Vineyard Haven for a wee shop for souvenirs and gifts!

We then went Anne and Franks house for a cook out Scottish style – the men folk stood under umbrellas at the BBQ!  We had a wonderful evening; good food and good company.

Scottish Society Sunday

Next morning at breakfast we did our presentation, followed by the outgoing GSE team presentation – good to see that they enjoyed themselves as much as we are here!  The youth exchange students presentations were also excellent and we wish them good luck with their travels. 

 

We met our host families for lunch and then were delighted to be invited to the Scottish Society dinner after which we provided entertainment!  Multi-talented Ian addressed the haggis, played the piano and sang, whilst the rest of us warbled in the background and did a couple of ceilidh dances!