Were coming home (via Paris)

After more than 4 weeks the team have all dispersed to different parts of Europe prior to heading home. For me it has been a couple of nights in Paris (via the Eurostar). Seeing the sites and even managing to ride a bike through the Boulevards of Paris has been a great way to finish the trip. I am currently sitting in a Cafe outside the Piccadilly Circus station getting ready to catch the tube to Heathrow. The 20 hours on a plane doesnt worry me as I know I have some very special girls at home that I wont to hug and kiss.

A day in London

As we had a free day on Wednesday the team decided to jump on a train to London. Our first stop was the National Science Museum . For lunch we caught up with a friend of Ruths after which we headed for a spot of shopping at Harrods. Before we knew it we had to jump on a train back to Orpington in time for our farewell presentation.

Serious study

Studying another culture's beer...it's a hard life! On Saturday night Ruth and Alison came across a beer festival.

Kidnapped!

Saturday afternoon we were met by the previous districts (D1120) GSE team that went to Virginia, USA in 2006. Alex, Rachel and Helen arranged to take us out for some relaxation and laughter. I was disappointed that we didn't make it to a football match (sorry Emir), but we did have a great time. After lunch and drinks at the club, we tried to go ice-skating, but found out we were too old for that time slot, so went bowling instead.

The dockyard

Saturday morning was spent with Denis, our very knowledgeable guide, showing us around the dockyard and Ropery.

Indian Restaurant

On Friday night my hosts, John and Moira, took Ruth and I out for an Indian. We certainly were rewarded for our fundraising efforts (and for looking silly with the ears) and were taken to Moira's favourite restaurant. We enjoyed some great food and even better company. Thanks!

Fundraising

On Friday night Ruth and I went with my host, John, down to the river for the fireworks display. Once there we donned fluro tops, grabbed a bucket and helped collect donations from patrons arriving to watch the fireworks. At first we were not doing so well, so John bought Ruth and I some flashing bunny ears to attract attention, this seemed to do the trick! In no time at all our bucket started to get heavy with coins, we even managed to score the first note of the night. I am still impressed the most by a guy offering me some hot chips!

Cider Baked Pork Chops

A recipe for the best ever pork chops

Ingredients
4 oz mushroom sliced
2 cooking apples (peeled, cored and sliced)
1 onion sliced
Salt and Pepper
4 pork chops
1/2 Pint Cider
2 oz breadcrums (brown bread)
4 oz Cheddar Cheese (grated)

Preheat oven to 400' F
Grease a 3 pint shallow overn proof dish?
Place mushrooms, apples, onions in the dish. Season with salt and pepper
Lay the pork chops on top
Cover with apple cider
Sprinkle on top of chops with mixed breadcrumbs and cheddar
Cook for 1.5 hours

Best pork chops you ever had!

(sorry you will have to convert to metric)

Schools

On Thursday I managed to visit 2 primary schools. First I had a tour of Stone St Mary's Church of England Primary School in the morning. Then I went into a yr5/6 class at Cecil Road Primary School to watch a science lesson. Mr Chris Rutland had the students drawing mindmaps in the classroom, to gage students prior knowledge. He then took them outside to examine a variety of things under microscopes, to get them thinking about the world around them and to practice using the microsopes. It was really good to meet a teacher who enjoys teaching, is passionate about science and willing to take time out to talk to me. Got to talk about the teacher training process, science programs and resources, NIT and the inner workings of primary schools. Could have picked his brain a lot longer, but time was against me.

Dressing up

Kent seemed to like dressing up on Wednesday. Not only did he wear a drysuit at NRLI, but also took the opportunity to dress up when visiting a fort in the afternoon. Well it was halloween!

Getting into the suits

The suits were rather large and were quite an experience to wear. Not only did it take a while to get into them & do them up, but was also interesting getting the air out of them.

Oh what a ride

We were taken for a ride on a rescue boat that is operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institute. We were fully kitted up with a drysuit and helmet. We were grinning like school kids!!!

Charlene's injury tally!

Think I am doing remarkably well, haven't got any major injuries (other than the ones I came with). My body has been left fairly unscathed, well there was one time when I got hit with a branch in the face, but other that body has been safe.
However, the feet have taken a beating.
So far they have been:
hit with a shower head- still unsure how, but Alison says I make a fine alarm clock!
hit with a conditioner bottle
hit with a body wash bottle
(the shower is a dangerous place!)
attacked by mosquitoes

Also, I have:
trod on a bag of kangaroo pins
trod on a thumb tack
got a sewing needle stuck in toe

Overall, things are good!

Hosts in Eastbourne

This is Trevor, Ann and John, who I stayed with for 3 nights in Eastbourne and who I have just left. They were my 5th hosts, still have 3 more to go. While I was there they soon learned how accident prone I am. They are probably at home at the moment with their feet up, a glass of wine and sighing with relief that they never had to take me to the hospital!

I am proud to say that I am one of the few people who has witnessed John dancing, in fact couldn't get him off the dance floor Saturday night!

Next vocational visit

On Monday 29th October my host, John, took me to the Herstmonceux Observatory and Science Centre in East Sussex. Ruth and Kent also accompanied and enjoyed themselves playing with the physics exhibits. We got to go and look at the different telescopes and learn about the Newton telescope. Unfortunately we were not there at night to witness the telescopes in use and to examine the stars for ourselves. I did get to learn about the different programs on offer at the science centre, where the exhibits got made, their funding and a little about the other science centres in the country. I am sure I wore them out with all my questions!

http://www.the-observatory.org/

my farewell gift

When leaving Eastbourne, Mark presented me with a parting gift.

Another pub sign

A day near Eastbourne

Any idea of what we got up to this afternoon?

Sign in pub

My hosts in East Sussex

I have had two wonderful couples host me for my stay in East Sussex. Rod and Moyra Davidson had me to stay at their house on the outskirts of Herstmonceux (with Lucky and Floyd as well....two gorgeous retrievers) in what I must say is the house with the lowest ceilings I've ever been in...it was very very cute. In Eastbourne I am staying with Carole and John Thompson in Sovereign Harbour a new marina development....literally 10m from all of the yachts!!!! Both hosts have been absolutely lovely and I've loved spending time with them. Thankyou for all of your effort, support and hospitality!!!!

Photos of the Ball

Ruth, Gary, Naoko, Tricia, Charlene and Mike.

Saturday night

Saturday night was the banquet and ball. We all frocked up and headed back to the conference, it was nice to to be out of uniform. The food and company was great, although the behaviour at the table was surprising. Rotarians really know how to let their hair down (those who have it). We managed to all keep our eyesight, despite the balloons flying everywhere. The waiters must have been dancers as the kept the balance and dodged all the missiles.

The dance floor soon filled up after dinner and we all (yes, even Kent) danced the night away to great mix of 50's, 60's & 70's music. We couldn't quite bring ourselves to participate in the barn dancing upstairs though.

Enjoy looking at our selection of photos of the night.