Last day in Dixon

Today is our last day in Dixon. Its been fantastic to have our first taste of "non-metropolitan" life in Tennesee. Despite being a small town, Dixon has some impressive amenities - the most notable in my view being the Rennaissance Centre, a multi-artform workshop, recording and exhibition space. It boasts a fully equipped TV studio, music recording space, performing arts theatre and runs a variety of workshops and activities for people of all ages. Thanks to Dixon Noon Rotary and especially to my hosts the Smith family and Jim Sowell who has entertained us, including a trip to see the Nashville Baseball team (erm... get walloped 9-0! oops!)

Thanks all for a fantastic and interesting time.

Back on line

Sorry for the delay folks. I had no access to computer facilities. Arrival in Dickson is described very well in Claire's blog. My highlights. Visiting the Police Station, of course but for sheer granduer, what about our presentation at the Wildhorse saloon. Poor attendance though. Only 275!!!
Then we went caving accompanied by a county picnic and we felt it would be rude not to dress like red necks and join in followed by The Nashville Sounds v Colorado Springs baseball match. Another busy day.

Arrive Dickson

All arrived safe and well, ready for our stay here with Dickson. You might need to sit down with a cup of tea to take this lot in..........

Late Sunday we all settled in with our hosts then early to bed to prepare us for the next couple of days. Monday morning we meet for a tour of the Tristar bank (pictured)which was very interesting, then of to Dickson Police station to meet Police Officer David who introduced us all to the Police! USA style. Will and Kathryn had to be arrested for talking in the back of class. We will pick them both up on the way home! (pictured).We all received certificates and are now residents of Dickson (not sure for how long)

From here we headed back to Nashville to what must be the largest Rotary meeting EVER....I have to say I was very nervous however once on stage all went okay and we all did a good job. After, we all get to go and relax DOWN A CAVE yes that's right we visited a cave on a private farm. We went underground and explored the cave which was unbelievable if not very dirty and wet. Once back up on dry land we picnicked in the barn with a glass of wine I think next to shooting this has to be once of the most unusual things I have ever done.

Quick change out of our wet clothes then onto the Sounds Baseball game. Keep reading not finished yet got to dash back soonnnnnnnnn

Thank you Franklin Noon

Well its that time again when we have to move on. Its a sad time as you spend time with great families who quickly become your friends and who welcome you in true Southern hospitality. Thanks for the breakfast Melody and Jim and the chance to chat and relax. Late morning was spent down town at the main street festival, bumping it to our good old friends. Mike and Mindy thanks for the key to the Embassy room that was was a special moment for me. Once back home Jim allowed Dave and I to shoot guns fully supervised and under the eye of an experienced teacher and Military man. I have to say it was an fantastic experience don't think my heart has beat so fast. After target practice we visited a local winery for snacks and wine tasting, then early to bed.

When Saturday Comes

After a magificent breakfast it was off to Franklin for the annual street carnival and although only here a week we seemed to bump into many faces that we knew.

Late afternoon saw us back to our hosts home and Jim allowed us to do some target shooting on his farmland. The evening ws spent at the local winery where we had picnic and did some wine tasting.

Then early to bed as I need be up early to webcam my wife Anne on her birthday. That will be neat

Going to the Dogs

Here is proof that I am finally going to the dogs. This morning I was given a personal demonstration of tracking, searching structures, attack & apprehend and agility. The handlers, Sgt Aaron Compton & Officers Charlie Richards and Patrick Tidditt gave me a warm welcome and were very professional. This was followed by a visit to Franklin Police HQ where I was given the oppertunity to talk with staff in the CID, Control Room & Swat Team.

We then had lunch at a fund raiser for Cystic Fibrosis where some very moving speeches were given by sufferers of this terrible illness followed by a Tour of Williamson Medical Centre.

A very special thank you to (retired) Captain Al Segal & Mr Steve Smith, Rotarians from the host club, for making it all happen


Then home for a swim in the pool, a couple of beers and dinner with the family, including tonight Sarah, home from college with her boyfriend Josh. After a private showing of the team presentation it was bed time

Howdy, y'all

Had another great breakfast followed by a visit to O'More College of Design as arranged by Gary Buchanan. After a short tour with Chris Lee and a brief history lesson about Mrs Eloise Pitts O'More and her vision of establishing a school in America with the unique creative ambiance of a French design school. I then met Dr.K.Mark Hilliard, President of the school which was a real treat. We then went to Williamson Medical Centre for a tour from Al Segal and Steve Smith which was very interesting. We got to look at some of the latest technology and met the paramedic unit , thanks to Mike, Marc, Brain, and Mark for their time. Katharyn and I got to sit up front in a ambulance and sound the horn and siren just like big kids! Al thanks for the pistachio nuts I had them on the way back home. Then back home for drinks and a fantastic meal and great company at Jim and Melody's house.

Another great day!

We all had breakfast with Jim and Victor thanks guys the French pancakes went down well as did the tea. Then a tour of Franklin town with Victor followed by a visit to The Carter House (A registered National Historic Landmark caught in the centre of the Civil War, Battle of Franklin) which was very interesting. Then off to the crawfish boil which was an experience then to Monells for dinner, folllowed by drinks round the pool with Jim. Wow what a day!

Franklin Noon

An easy morning on a walking tour in the company of VictorAndrews preceeded lunch with Franklin Noon at which we were presented with Baseball hats for the club's rodeo project in May hoping to raise about £50,000.

Then a visit to civil war sites relating to the battle of Nashville and then to a crawfish boil BBQ The day finished with dinner at Monells with our hosts and then home for a beer round the pool with Jim and Claire.

Finally big thanks to Mike Sellars of Saltburn. Lovely to hear from you. Your advice has been noted by the team who return their best wishes to you and all the Saltburn members. Missing you guys, rotary meetings don't seem the same without someone (Jim) taking the wrong dinner!

The Chap with the Cap

There was a chap at franklin noon
who looked rather cool

after being given a cap
he looked a rather handsome chap

and was the talk of the toon

(thanks Franklin noon for the rodeo cap gifts! The other team members were rather jealous that I suited mine more than anyone else!)

One Week In

Well what a first week we've had. Our first two hosting clubs - Nashville and Cool Springs - have been so kind. Today the highlight for me was undoubtedly visiting the African American Museum in Franklin. This morning we paid a visit to Franklin Breakfast Club with whom we visited a school, and now we are being hosted by Franklin Noon and are already feeling very much welcome and at home. Many thanks to Nashville and Cool Springs - and Franklin Noon, we look forward to spending the next few days with you.

Thank you Cool Springs

Thanks for a great experience and lots of jokes and laughter I have enjoyed every minute of my stay with you guys. Thanks Mindy for letting me stay in the Embassy room and Mike thanks for the lifts and your good sense of humour. Brain it was a pleasure to meet you and hopefully we will see you all at the festival Saturday.

Farewell get together at Sally's house and other bits!

Thank you for the fantastic evening meal at Sally's house it was good to have everyone together one big happy family. We also had another great trip to the Jack Daniel's Distillery then onto Lynchburg square for storytelling and ice cream we talked to some amazing people and had lots of laughs thanks to a little help from Jim (Jim thanks for Harry's cup) . We also enjoyed a good lunch together at Miss Mary Bobo's and had the best apples stewed in Jack Daniel's which are now a firm favourite of Brian's.

An Early Start

An early start today to visit the Rotary Club of Franklin Breakfast Club whose meeting commenced at 6.45am and had about 100 people there. Although there was not time to do our full presentation the team did intoduce themselves and were warmly received. (pictured)
We then moved on to the Poplar Grove Elementary School where each of the team were taken into a class of approx 20 children where they presented the children with a dictionary bought for them by the Franklin Breakfast Club. Couldn't help but think of you Jabba.
We then went to the Maclemore African American Museum where we spent an hour talking to two lovely sisters Miss Mary and Miss Eleanor (pictured)
An afternoon of catch up with photographs and e mails with Mike followed and at 5pm we were handed over from Cool Springs to Franklin Noon. After attending their business meeting we were taken for a meal before Claire and I were taken to Jim and Melodies fabulous home. Here we did some washing and I got wrong from Claire for putting darks in with whites. I attempted to blame my last host Brian for teaching me bad habits but Claire would not believe Brian would do such a thing!!!

Jack Daniels and another farewell

The day started with a visit to the local hospital radio for a team interview and then on the road to the Jack Daniels distillery in Lynchburg. After the tour we enjoyed a marvellous lunch at Miss Bobos which preceeded a walk around the town on another cloudless sunny day.
Then it was all to Sally Nance's beautiful home for a farewell dinner with all of our host families. This is the sad part but once again a big big thank you to all of our hosts, Mike the Cool Springs , GSE coordinator for making it all happen so effortlessly and of course President Kerry. Kerry you have a wonderful club.

22nd April 2008- visit to Lynchville

[Will] We had a fantastic visit to Lynchville today, a great tour of the Jack Daniels Distillery and it was great to spend the day with our kind hosts. Tonight is our last night at Cool Springs Rotary (sob) and thank you all for being so hospitable. Thank you particularly to Sally for having Colin and I in her home. We love your laid back and warm nature - and great to meet your son&daughter in law Berkley and Dina who I had some fascinating conversations with.

Message for Harrison

Dear Harrison,
The GSE team would like to say thank you for your message. It really cheered us all up. We are taking really good care of Aunty Claire so don't worry. keep sending us blogs. We all really enjoy them
From Dave, Colin Will and Kathryn xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Banana pudding

Following on from a great Mexican meal with Mindy and Mike we then went home to make banana pudding. Sorry guys I could not come out with you, have a mojito for me! Mindy and I had to bake vanilla biscuits, whip cream, you know how it is.................

Anyone for croquet

Had a great game of croquet with Brian and Mindy, I did not play my usual club-level game as I felt that I had to give them both a fighting chance. After a good game Mindy won fair and square taking home the championship cup.(paper one)

I got the sheriff.... and I also got the deputy

After an audience with Mayor Rogers Anderson, the team went a walking tour of downtown Franklin before doing our presentation to the Rotary Club of Cool Springs.
We then went on a vocational afternoon and I met the Sheriff Dusty Rhodes, who allowed Captain Michael Dobbins to show me around their lock up facility and then I got to ryide patrol with Deputy Sheriiff Phil Wheeler (pictured) who had a hit on a mowtir cicel. The best thing was, I was sworn in as a deputy sherriff complete with warrant card. Oh the memories. Just like old times. Thank you all so much

Thank you Nashville

Big thanks to everyone in Nashville. Debra thanks for showing us the sights and taking Kathryn, Colin and I to Highballs and Hydrangeas for cocktails. Bill thanks for downtown Nashville, your dancing moves are out of this world . I would also like to thank Suzanne and Steve and their dog Rocko for making me feel very welcome.

Professional Day Thursday 17 April

I spent the morning of my professional day at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Museum of Art. I even bumped into German artist Yvonne Bucheim who had spent time in my home town of Middlesbrough and was showcasing her work the following evening. My afternoon was spent at the Frist Centre for Visual Arts with the Education Team all 10 of them and who are an amazing and passionate bunch of people. I would highly recommend a visit to see the current exhibition, Monet to Dali from the Cleveland Museum of Art. It was a fantastic day and big thanks go out to everyone who made it possible.

Cool Springs!

First day with cool springs! SO nice to have a relaxing day - spent the morning in church which was a great experience and it was fantastic to see how many people come togther every Sunday morning - even better that its with coffee and donuts!

Spent the afternoon relaxing and then headed down to the hosts farm to see the horses and got to ride Princess - Western Style! Great fun - although not sure i really got the relaxed western style down to T!

5pm - time for dinner at Brian's house - gorgeous sunshine and a chance to catch up with the team over a game of crochet! Great food and even better company - really good end to a good day!

District Conference

The team were delivered to District Conference by our Nashville hosts and we immediately met our Cool Springs coordinator, Mike Thompson. Also attending to share the stage with us were the Tennessee team (pictured) and it was great to see them all again.

Following lunch our first presentation went very well and then we took a little time out in the bar, to socialise and to make some calls and e mails home.

Then it was on to Cool Springs with my new host, Brian Wilcox, and dinner for the team and hosts at the local Italian (more than a hint of Allessis there) which was absolutely fabulous.

And finally home with Brian, Amy and son Sam where we were met by Simba and Teddy two gorgeous golden retrievers. I again needed no rocking to get to sleep.

Final Day with R.C. of Nashville

This morning saw us visit the Frist Art Gallery,where Claire had spent the previous day on her vocational day. Whist there we met the Korean GSE Team who are coming to the end of their stay. We then went to the Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry where The Moody Blues were setting up for that nights gig.
Lunch was at Jacks Downtown BBQ and we were then given a motor tour of the parts of the city we had not so far seen. Tonight is our farewell dinner at Scotts in Green Hills with our hosts, Bill Tate, our GSE Coordinator and Debra Grimes, our chaperone. Thank you all so much. You have given our stay the perfect, (and I do mean perfect) start.

Vocational Day One.

The team members had their first vocational day today and they all said they had a brilliant day. For my part I visited the Chief Medical Officer Facility and spent the morning with Deinise Overton, Senior Investigator and Forensic pathologist in charge Dr Amy McMaster. I then spent the afternoon with the TBI (Tennesse Bureau of Investigation) the state equivalent of the FBI.

After dinner, I was take to see Dana's grandson play for his baseball team in the local league (just like Saltburn Juniors!) To finish the day the whole team were taken to The Broadway, Downtown, Nashville for a tour of several bars to sample the various country music on offer. It has been another very full but rewarding day.

First Day in Nashville

First day today went something like this. At 9am went to meet the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, Ralph Schulz (Rotarian) who gave us the history of Nashville, particularly in respect of economics. During his talk he asked us if we were going to the big ice hockey game thet night.To cut a long story short got 10 tickets (for us and one of our hosts. )

At 10am we had a tour ot the bi centenial mall, by the archtictect Kem Hinton which is actually a park. It was really beautiful place on a really beautiful day.

Lunch and tour at the Country Music Hall of fame was pretty dam special followed by a walking tour (with refreshment breaks) of downtown Nashville, early Dinner (Mexican) accompanied by Rtn Debra Grimes of the Nashville club.

To finish a great day we then went to the big game Nashville Preditors v Detroit Red Wings. We won 3 to 2 as the say here.