The whole team is back in SC....

Richard and I landed safe and sound in Columbia last night at 11:30 pm. We had been awake almost a full 24 hours so we were relieved to finally be back home in South Carolina. I was greeted by a VERY happy puppy today when I arrived in Charleston. It's weird to be back home after having traveled for so long. Back to reality! The trip to Wales definitely was one of a lifetime and I'm thankful for being part of such a great team. I look forward to meeting with the whole team again soon. I also look forward to meeting the incoming team from Wales!

Thanks again to all of the hosts, the Rotary Clubs that sponsored us and, of course, my team!

More pictures to follow......

Betsy :-)

The final posting from Europe

Hello from Dublin!
Richard and I are having a great time in Dublin. It's hard to believe that tonight is our last night away from home, but also a relief. We've had a great week traveling to Edinburgh and Dublin, but we're also very much looking forward to getting back home and to a normal routine. Today we took a day trip to Howth which is a quaint little town north of Dublin. The views along the cliff were incredible! (sorry we don't have the cardreader with us so we can't post pictures.)

All in all, we've had a great time visiting with our friends in Dublin (Siobhan, Roisin, Aideen, Emmeline and Thomas.) Tomorrow we're headed back to South Carolina via Amsterdam and Detroit. I'll post again once I get home and will be sure to put some pictures of Dublin online.

We look forward to catching up with our team back in SC.

See you soon,
Betsy and Richard

Richard in Leith

Betsy in Temple Bar, Dublin

Roisin, Siobhan, and Betsy

Aideen, Betsy, and Siobhan

Emmeline, Richard, and Tomas

Photos of Edinburgh

I'm happy to hear that the team arrived back in Columbia safe and sound. It's very unusual for there to be only two of us traveling after spending five weeks as a team. We miss you all.
Here are a few snapshots of Edinburgh from last night and today. We spent yesterday and today exploring the city: Princes Street, the Castle and Royal Mile, and the University. Edinburgh is incredible to just walk with tight winding alleys, courtyards, and gardens in the middle of the city. We found out last night that Edinburgh is as great to see at night with almost every prominent building lit up. Tomorrow we are going to Jen's office in Leith, housed in a 17th century clocktower before flying to Dublin in the afternoon. We'll keep you posted.
-Richard

View of the Firth of Forth from the park near Jen's house

The cathedral at night with a near-full moon

Jen, Richard, and Betsy at dinner

The Scotsman Hotel, Restaurant, and Bar

Inside the bar at the Scotsman (it's a former newspaper office)

Betsy at the Castle in Edinburgh

The Scotch Whiskey Experience

Home in Sunny South Carolina

Greetings to our Blog followers from the sunny state of South Carolina. After a fantastic fireworks send off on Saturday night, we are sure the great people of Wales organized the bonfire and fabulous fireworks display in honor of our final night, we were at the airport Sunday morning for our long journey home. After a few bumps in the road getting us onto the Sunday morning flight we were on our way. Our connections went smoothly with no delays or problems with our connections or customs- yes they even let Rick through with his peanuts and tulip bulbs from Holland. We arrived in Columbia at 11:45pm our time, 4:45am Wales time. Our families were there with outstretched arms which we were all happy to rush into for lots of hugs and "Hellos." This has been an incredible once in a lifetime adventure and now we begin the process of sharing that adventure with others as we relay the stories show the pictures and in everything remember all of the friends we now have "Across the Big Pond."
Thinking of all of you,
Mariah
P.S. Betsy and Richard you 2 were greatly missed we couldn't help but count for 6 each time we turned around but you weren't there!!! Have a great time and we look forward to seeing you soon after you arrive home, take care of each other! -hugs

The Ultimate Soccer Experience

I spent Saturday in Manchester with Betsy and Ron and Gail Mounsey watching the Manchester United - Portsmouth soccer match at one of the world's premier stadiums Old Trafford. Ron is the president of the Carmarthen Towi Rotary Club and he and Gail have supported Man U since they were kids. When we met during week 1 of the trip he mentioned that he may be able to get a couple of extra tickets. It was an amazing experience. Man U took the lead early on with two goals in the first 10 minutes and added one in the second half for a 3-0 final. It was great to see the home team win so convincingly in front of 80,000 fans. Thanks again to Ron and Gail for giving Betsy and me the ultimate soccer experience. Here are a few photos to make my soccer team jealous.

Old Trafford at the kickoff

Edinburgh, Scotland

Hello from Edinburgh!
Richard and I arrived yesterday morning. Clive and Sally drove us bright and early to the airport, before the rest of the group arrived for their morning flight. We said goodbye to our hosts and farewell to Wales. What a weird feeling! Our flight to Edinburgh was short and sweet. After taking a bus to downtown, we walked around Princes Street and meandered through the open air market. We soon met up with Richard's friend Jen who has been nice to enough to accommodate us until Wednesday. We had a great lunch overlooking the Firth of Forth (the Bay - what a cool name!) The rest of the afternoon and evening was very relaxing and laid back, no schedules or places we had to be. A very strange feeling after our 5 weeks of an action packed schedule! Today we're headed back downtown and will continue to explore the city, it's extremely beautiful! Stay tuned for more updates of our trip.

I hope the rest of the team made it back safely. Richard and I both miss you all - it's not the same traveling without you!

More to follow,
Betsy :-)

Betsy and the Princes Street Garden - what beautiful fall colors!

Charter Night- Cardiff RC

Last night, I was invited to the 89th Anniversary of the Cardiff RC. Tony Williams, the current president is Adrel's host this week and Brian Bird, is Richard's and my host this week is the incoming president. The team had the night off so I was the only GSE representative. I was at the head table in between, Jo, Brian's lovely wife and the Her Majesty's Lord Lieutentant Norman Lloyd-Edwards. Each County in the UK has as a Lord Lieutentant who represents the Queen at events like these for her. His life revolves around all kinds of events like these as well as he's in charge of the Queen's visit when she does come to Cardiff. He was delightful and quite entertaining and you could easily see why he was chosen for this duty. He can hold the position until he age 70. It was a fun evening as the women were in their Tuxedos and the women were stylishly dressed.

David Morgan, former RIBI president, RI Director and RI Treasurer was the keynote speaker.
You can tell he knows the Rotary way as his talk was short and sweet and right on target for his audience. He praised the club on its achievements of the past but challenged to continue being the club that has led the way for the previous 89 years. He reminded us of a story he heard while in the US about a Rotarian who contributed nothing to Rotary or his club except his dues. He was asked to transport a child to the hospital and relunctantly accepted the responsibility. By the time the story was completed this Rotarian understood what it meant to be a Rotarian and what kind of services he can provide no matter how small the task. It was a story all Rotarians need to hear from time to time.

David has worked with our PDG David Micheaux and he sends his greetings to you David.

It was a perfect ending to another great day in Wales. It is hard to believe we will be heading home in few days. Even though I hate to leave, I can't wait to come home to my beautiful wife Millie and my family!!! See everybody real soon !!!! Rick
Tony and Ann Williams, Rick, and Brian and Jo Bird
in Brian & Jo's living room before we head out.


Captain Norman Lloyd-Edwards and Rick

Our final presentation!

Obviously we’ve had a busy week, I can’t believe no one has posted since Sunday! To all of our avid Blog followers, sorry we’ve been so slack!

Tuesday night we gave our final presentation. Since it was Halloween we decided to spice things up a bit and we each presented someone else’s portion of the presentation. I actually think it was our best presentation. If nothing else, it was very entertaining for our team. It gave each of us the opportunity to talk about our team mates right in front of them and add a few extra tidbits to their presentation that they wouldn’t normally say. (Somewhat dangerous!) Hopefully you ‘ll enjoy the pictures of our final presentation (down below.)

It’s hard to believe that we only have 3 full days left here! This morning we’re meeting with the Lord Mayor of Cardiff at a private reception held for us. Then we’re off to our last Rotary luncheon, followed by a visit to Atlantic College. Tonight the team will have a final night of team bonding as we go out to dinner and test the nightlife of Cardiff.

Tomorrow morning we’ll do our last minute shopping and gift buying. In the afternoon we’re taking a special tour of the local brewery that serves Brains beer throughout Wales. Yes, the name of the beer is Brains. It took us a while to get used to saying, ‘Yes, I’d like a Brains please.’ We also will attend a farewell event near Swansea where we’ll meet up with all the friends we’ve made over the last 5 weeks. There probably will be a tear or two shed as we bid farewell to the incredible friends and hosts we’ve enjoyed getting to know!!!

Saturday, Richard and I are headed to Manchester, England to see a huge football (soccer) game between Manchester United and Portsmouth. (sp?) That evening the team will watch the fireworks down by the castle to help celebrate Guy Fawkes day.

Then before we know it…..Sunday will be here and we’ll be leaving Wales. Richard and I leave bright and early on a flight to Edinburgh for a full weeks vacation spent between Scotland and Ireland. I’m not sure we’re going to know what to do…..traveling without a schedule? That will take some time getting use to, then again maybe not ;-) The rest of the team, Adrel, Rick, Ruben and Mariah will be headed back to South Carolina arriving late Sunday evening to Columbia. We’re all impressed that Mariah will be back to work on Monday!!

Well, it’s time I go put on the team uniform one last time…..

-Betsy

PS – I would have posted pictures sooner but unfortunately my camera deleted a huge number of my photos!!!! :-(

Richard, Betsy and Ruben preparing for the presentation.

Notice Richard's tie that he wore in honor of Halloween - that's a black sheep in the middle.

Rick and Mariah

Richard leading off the presentation with a joke. (Ruben's at the computer.)















Our fearless team leader!!!

Exchanging club banners with Peter, the club president.
















Castle Coch - visible from my host's house. We're definitely getting a taste of the fall weather now, including the beautiful colors!