Weekend in Torquay

That sneaky signal had disappeared again but is briefly returned!!!!!

So quick overview (pictures will be posted later):

FRIDAY -- drove to Torquay for the Rotary District 1150 Conference with Graham, his wife Jane, and Hiroko. Lunch at the Celtic Manor Golf Resort. This is where the Ryder Cup 2010 will be held. Forgot my camera in the car and didn't get a picture of those glorious dragons in the lobby.

Got to knit the whole way there! Haven't really had a lot of extra time for this lately....wonder why?

Upon arrival in Toquay, went exploring for dinner location with Lindsey and Travis, the Scholars from Aberystwyth (on the central west coast of Wales). (These are views from approximately the same spot before we went into a pub and when we came out -- it is really not as appalling as may first appear; don't worry, mama :) Only about an hour difference.)

That was about all of the city I got to see for the weekend, since professors have an insane amount of reading for us to do. Well, it is not really insane in the amount they assign; it is more an issue of a Suggested Reading List of, oh, between 10 and 76 books per class --with the (confusing, albeit generous in a foggy sort of way) instruction to pick out whichever ones sound interesting and read those really well. HOW in the WORLD am I supposed to choose between books? It is like being asked which of my Cats I would save from a burning building. Utterly muddling and absurd.

Anyhoo, back on track now: we found a place to eat (all of the Scholars, who were in charge of dining with the Rotary GSE Team from Bangalore, India) and all was well after we were fed.

SATURDAY -- read Research Methods all morning. yay. Went to the Conference and especially enjoyed the presentation on Mercy Ships. Every reader of this MUST go to their site and look at the amazing things they are able to do -- they are mobile medical centers that are able to serve thousands of people in need in quite short periods of time. People WALK for miles for help when they hear that a Mercy Ship will be anywhere near them.

Evening dinner and entertainment and a dance. Rotarians here really enjoy dancing!

(to R are Fabiana, my housemate; Anoop, from Bangalore; and some random person who darted into the picture)




SUNDAY -- Graham, Jane, Fabiana and I skipped out of the Conference early and stopped in Exeter on the way home. Cathedral (hooray!), tilted buildings, and Mol's Coffee House (below and to R; built in 1596!).



Also, happened upon an exhibit of "800 Years of Exeter's Mayoralty" in the Guildhall -- the Exeter Salt was on display along with artifacts from the establishment of the Office of Mayor in Exeter (as you may have guessed, 800 years ago) to the Civil War.

Here is your educational tidbit: The Exeter Salt, which was made by Johann Hass of Hamburg in 1630, is a salt container in the form of a turreted castle and was originally presented by the city to King Charles II in 1660. It is said that it was a gift to gain favor with the new King (this was after the English Civil War), as the city had sided with the Parliamentarians during the war. King Charles II sister, Princess Henrietta, was actually born in Exeter and a portrait of her given by Charles II in 1674 hangs in the main hall of Exeter's historic Guildhall. Until the reign of George IV the Exeter Salt was used for the Coronation Banquet in Westminster Hall, held after the Coronation Ceremony in Westminster Abbey. (am's own note: it apparently now lives in the Tower with the Crown Jewels.)

Stopped in Cribbs Causeway, close to Bristol as well. This is a Gi-normous Shopping Center that a few people to whom I am related would very much enjoy :) Have a new favorite artist and would love it if some generous person feels like purchasing a painting for me. The artist is Govinder Nazran. Interested persons and potential donors may wish to view his work . You might notice that there is a certain theme of Cats (as well as other amusing animals -- I know I have my dogs friends.); I miss my Flee very much!

(Note: you will want to click on individual pieces of art to see them enlarged -- just can't help but smile. Unless you are some sort of animal-abhoring person, in which case, I wonder that you are my friend?)

signing out for now -- hope the signal is still there! eek!

(as is possibly evident, a new skill has been employed in this edition of my life.)