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!

Marthas Vineyard

On Saturday morning we said a very sad goodbye to our hosts as we headed to catch an early ferry over to Marthas Vineyard.

After checking in to our hotel we had a free afternoon so we headed to a proper American diner for lunch!

A short nap for some, whilst others changed the presentation ensued!  And then we dressed up in our finery and bussed to a local mansion for pre-dinner  drinkees: cocktails and canapés!  Although the outside bar was lacking a bar man so naturally we started pouring for everyone else for the next 20 minutes!  It was so good to catch up with everyone who we had met on our travels.

Dinner was back at the hotel in a marquee followed by after dinner entertainment from a ventriloquist.   We were also invited to a party a Charlie Murphys where a couple of us tried out some moonshine!  Knowing we had our presentation in the morning we were all fairly well-behaved however and went to bed,  the good GSE team we are!

Beach Party!!

On Friday morning everyone came for breakfast prepared by Wendy, Louise and Tyler at Wendy and Louise’s new beach house!  A very relaxed presentation followed to the Jamestown club!  We then took a walk through the neighbour’s property; a beautiful 85 acre seaside estate with fantastic views and very straight dykes.  A tick inspection then followed!

A visit to Jamestown proper for some souvenir shopping was followed by lunch on the Terrace at Tylers, followed by a 2 hour training session on leadership and communication.  In the evening we had a cook out with host families and local rotarians!

Vocational Day - number 5

We all headed off to our fifth vocational day. 

Erin had a really good vocational day with Warwick Public Works Services and Chris Beneducti who showed her the ropes.  It was very informative and interesting with lots of ideas to take home.

Ian was very enlightened with a visit to a mental health facility called Clubhouse, taken round by a member (client) and found out that there is a similar facility in Falkirk.

Louise B was out with Captain Coffey and was given a SWAT baseball cap; which she is over the moon about!  Quite scary to think she was so close to all those guns!!  And then she went to a ride along, and even had to go to a call!

Wendy went to Cayer Caccia, a Public Accountancy Consultancy, where she had a quick run down of how the office operated and Donna also invited her to attend a Warwick Rotary Club meeting.

Louise N had an excellent morning with Warwick Town Planning and heard about their plans for removing a gyratory - although they planned to replace one junction with a roundabout and she tried to talk them out of it, and instead install traffic lights!!

We then had lunch at Warwick Rotary Club with Canston and Pawtucket Rotary Clubs in attendance; strictly standing room only!

We then went to Warwick Mall - which was flooded last year - but unfortunately we couldnt buy anything because we have run out of room!

Enter Roger Williams!

At our pick up point we were met by Roger Williams (aka Santa, aka John!) complete with puritannical 17th Century costume who took us to East Greenwich Town Hall and told us of his place in Rhode Island history.  This was followed by tour of the Varnum House museum and a talk.

Lunch was with East Greenwich Rotary Club where we pleased to see Betsy, John, Jim and Donna - two of our host families.

In the afternoon, despite the chilly weather, and much to everyones bemusement we went out to Narraganset Bay - cant keep a good Scots GSE team down!  We were pretty familiar with the weather since its our average day in Scotland!  It did clear up whilst we were out, and we enjoyed cakes and drinks in the sunshine, but it was pretty rough coming back in!

Wendy and Louise N joined Ian, John and Donna for dinner - which was lovely.  We then met up with everyone at friends of Jim and Janets where we ate cake, sat around a firepit and ended up singing scouting songs!!  Fun, but slightly strange.  Louise N has a ransom video!!

Vocationing at the Vanderbilts - not vacationing!!

In the morning we went to the visitors centre in Newport which gave us the history of Newport.  After that we had a tour of the Vanderbilt's mansion, The Breakers.  We were blown away by the opulence but disappointed with the no photography policy!  So no pictures... as we were being good!

Presentation at Newport Rotary Club was next and after lunch we had a break out and were picked up by people with various vocational backgrounds.

Ian visited two wonderful theatres and was so impressed he was stunned into a theatrical silence!

Louise N went around the island with Betsy Wyllie and spoke about private van transport as an alternative to public transport.

Louise B saw a LT in Newport Police to speak about community policing which is remarkably similar to community policing in Grampian Police.

Wendy also met with local accountant Molly and had a quick tour around the firm.

Erin spoke to the town's recycling reprensatitive to discuss the towns unique collection programme.

After vocational time we went on the Ocean Drive tour seeing all of Newport's mansions - built by the Vanderbilts and friends who all tried to outdo each other with massive splendour.

We then had a cocktail party at the New York Yacht Club in Newport and headed to our pick up point.  Louise and Ian then traded hosts for the evening and Ian went to a scout meeting.

Go West(erly)!

We were picked up at a Park & Drive by Marie and headed to vocational stops that incorporated all of our subjects that everyone got to come along to!  The Greater Westerly Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce was first, and we were given a quick tour plus a quacker in celebration of their very successful duck race the previous week. 

Next was Westerly Police Department where we were shown around by a scared young constable - and there were a number of good photo opportunities, including in the jail!  We also got to play in the police car, tooting, flashing and fiddling with the knobs in the car!!

We then went to a top of the range cottage centre, a dedicated community for the care Alzheimer's, and then on for lunch at a local Italian restaurant.

It was back to school in the afternoon with our new driver, Steve, where we went to see their new very high tech maths and science wing.  Later on in the afternoon we went to Ocean House and were shown around to see how the other half live!  Unfortunately we couldn't afford to stay at $1,000 a night for the cheap rooms, and $5,000 for the suite (GSE budget wouldnt stand it!). 

We then visited the Watch Hill Lighthouse before going for supper and a presentation at the Westerly Rotary Club.

American Mother's Day

After being picked up at 11 by our new host families we headed to Ruby Tuesday for lunch.  We then headed off to settle in to our new homes for the week...

Wendy and Louise went for a walk Sunday afternoon around the beach, whilst Ian walked around the pond with Ruben (a lovely Chowshepherdlab that looks like a black bear!).

Give me a G! Give me a S! Give me an E!!

Saturday was our first day off!!  Whilst Ian headed to a scout meeting the ladies had a late-ish start and meandered off for a leisurely lunch.  We then went to the National Cheerleading Competition!

Although prior to going we all thought it was just girls in short skirts with lots of makeup on waving pom-poms it actually turned out to be just that minus the pom-poms but with some absolutely amazing gymanistics.  Needless to say, we all feel the need to do a bit more exercise!

Louise B and Ian went for supper with Kris and Bill whilst Erin, Louise N and Wendy went and appreciated the finer points of Thor, as well as watching the movie in 3D.

Vocational day - number three!

Friday was our third vocational day...

Wendy went to a small accountancy firm which was recently merged with four other firms.  She was welcomed by a welcome sign and had a tour around the firm - which is now paperless... Erin approved, and Wendy is going to try it in her office - which Erin also approves of!!  She went to Fat Belly for lunch and then hitched a ride back in a convertible! 

Louise B was on tour with the Rhode Island State troopers.  A busy day for the troopers as they had 24 members of the local Rhode Island mafia locked up in the cell block!! 

Louise N headed to RIPTA - the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority and learned about what they were doing for public transport, walking, cycling and car share.  Although she left slightly flabbergasted at the $100 million annual budget!  Folks back home will be in shock too she imagines!

Erin went to the Mass Resource and Recovery Park to see what happens to all the waste being recycled and collected in all of the State. Its nice to see good practice is happening here as well as back home!

Ian went to a Mental Health office to see about mental health first aid which he is hoping to put in to practice back home.

Thank you to everyone again!


Unfortunately Friday was also the day that we had to say goodbye to all of our families who had hosted us for the week.  Louise N is going to try and make a concerted effort at the next exchange not to get teary again!!
That evening we had a lovely meal together at the Bluefin restaurant at the Marriott hotel where we are staying for our free weekend.

We do like to be beside the seaside....

A visit to a chocolate factory was our first call on Wednesday morning, followed by an indepth discussion/ interrogation by New Bedfords Mayor!  He was even taking notes on best practice in Scotland!!

We then presented at New Bedford Rotary Club and then headed to the Whaling Museum - which was extremely interesting, but somewhat gruesome... and if you want to know why a sperm whale is called that, you need to pay a visit!!

The Ocean Explorium was brilliant - and we even found Nemo!! 

Thursday we headed to Slater Mill - the site of the birth of the textile Industrial Revolution in North America.  Someone wanted to stay and play with all the childrens educational toys!

Blackstone Valley Tourism Council followed and we were given a present of coffee syrup for making Rhode Island Coffee Milk - apparently the national drink....

We were given a very interesting history lesson of the UK by a National Park ranger at the Roger Williams National Historic site (we probably learnt more here than in any history lesson at school!).  Then we visited the Rhode Insland State house for a tour.  Happily there was also a food expo on at the same time!  So we got to eat lemon ice, chocolate, root beer, clam cakes and Indian jonny cakes!  The diet isnt going so well!! 

We were announced on the floor - smartly dressed in tartan!

That evening we went to see a comedy about torture.... an interesting experience!

Vocational Day - number two!

Tuesday was our second vocational day and all of us went off in our different directions to learn more about what Providence does in our particular fields.

Erin spent the day with the Towns Public Works Department who deal with Waste and Recycling Collections amongst other things for the Pawtucket area.  The Mayor and director of the Collections company have determined to change their name from Public Works Department to Environmental Services at Erins suggestion!

Wendy had the opportunity to go to one of the big four accountancy firms: KPMG.  After spending the morning with the Managing Partner and various tax managers we went to a Business Expo at Providence Conference Centre (also known as the Dunkin' Donuts Centre!) where she also enjoyed a Dunkin Donuts iced coffee!!

Louise B met Providence City Police and the Institute for Non-Violence, which deals with gangs.  Lunch in the middle of gangland territory was an experience Louise will never forget!  Although tension was alleviated after a man of the cloth popped into the restaurant for lunch as well!

Louise N met the Department of Transportation, although after calling them Department for Transport several times they have now decided to change their name!  A visit to the state Planning Department and an intermodal site for airport, rail, bus and cycling rounded up a good day.

Ian went scouting all day - and didnt want to come back!!

An informative day was had by all - so thank you to all who contributed!

Fame! At last!

After a couple of days apart being spoilt by our host families we enrolled in Fame Academy; the Jacqueline Walsh School for the Performing Arts.  After spotting an English Literature class Ian was forced infront of the class to address the Haggis – much to the delight of the students! 

We then proceeded to another building full of talent - the Hope Artiste village; a unique community development initiative for independent artistes to display their wares and talents - from coffee to acting.  A game of duck pin bowling later which no one managed to 'quack' (sorry bout the bad jokes folks!).... we then made a guest appearance at Providence Rotary Club. 

The afternoon started with the Johnson and Wales Culinary museum which incorporated a tour on one of our favourite topics! 

Another highlight of the trip so far came in the evening with a Pawsox game!  We still dont understand the rules of baseball after watching the game but the view was good!  We

were sitting in our own box, courtesy of Roger at Pawtucket Rotary Club, and we were treated to a full spread of American sporting cuisine!