Photos

Okay,finally got it figured out, I think.

Here are some photos after Belfast, Ireland.

Look for the beautiful handicapped angel we were blessed to meet.

















John Madden

Prudhoe

Since our last update we've traveled many a mile, seen lots of folks, danced and traveled from dawn to dusk.

We left Northern Ireland via a ferry across the Irish Sea and then on to Galway, England. To do this we had to rise and shine at 4AM to be at the port by 5:30AM. The ferry left at 7:30AM and it took a couple of hours.

To say it was a BIG ferry is an understatement. It was huge. Once the bus was aboard we had to depart, as it was against safety rules to stay on it while on the sea.

We had the opportunity to eat breakfeast. I've never eaten where you were limited to the number of things you put on your plate, but we were limited to seven items. Must have had something to do with a group eating.

We met other scouters, including Big Ted Jensen with Big Teds's Real American Cookies. Big Ted was big, about 6'8" I think. He's lived in Northern Ireland for twenty years and recently got involved in the Scouts. He'an assistant and the scouts were on their way to a jamboree.

Many of us used part of the time to catch up on sleep. We've learned to catch a few winks when ever we can. Kind of a survial thing.

After landing we bused to Galway,England for an evening performance at Ratlingate Scout Campsite, thanks to our host Don McCutheon.

A side note about the scouter/gentleman Don McCutheon: one of our dancers was visiting with him, last night, and Don asked him about the leather bound book he had. Our Kwahadi told him he was an artist, he had gotten the book in Edinburgh so he could do some sketching.

Don asked to see his sketches and was told, "I haven't done any yet because I don't have anything to sketch with."

This morning Don presented the Kwahadi with an artist package of pencils and such. Our Kwahadi was taken back, offered to pay for them and Don told him his mother (I think) was an art teacher and wanted him to have them as a gift.

Such kindness and given.

Thank you Don and your mother for giving of your time, consideration, encouragement and the gift, not only of the art supplies, but the gift of thought.

We have been blessed to meet so many wonderful and friendly people.

At our evening performance we blessed with meeting a handicaped young angel. She's beautiful and gave us a smile and laugh that filled our hearts with happiness and at the same time thankful for meeting her.

Her grandmother asked if we would mind if they took pictures of us with her, so that someday she might be able to see and here about the evening?

We were honored and seveal of us got to hold her. At first she started to cry but when we talked to her and rocked her in our arms she relaxed, smiled and laughed.

I don't have her name with me as I write, but will give it later when I post her photo. At that and now, please take a moment to say a prayer for her.

As of that performance we have performed before 1,001 people, with more to add to that tonight.

At Ratlingate we were fortunate to stay in another building, with showers, bathrooms (toilets as they're called here) and in a few cases beds. The older we get the more those little things increase in appreciation, especially beds.

Sunday, July 26th we had a day of rest, touring for fun and we went to Edinburgh, Scotland to see the Edinburgh Castle. Words pale in trying to descibe the castle. It sits on a volcano in the middle of town and towers over all below it as if it were a Giant Lion watching over his pride.

The views from it are magnificent. We only had a few hours and it would be easy to spend days just trying to see and take it all in. It's powerful, majectic, strong, overwhelming, inviting, cold, warm, forbiden, welcoming, and it seems to wrap it's self into your being like a protective parent. You feel secure,protected, confident, and a part of history all at the same time.

It's one of the most magnificent structures I've ever seen or been in and I've traveled all over the world. Put it on your "bucket list." If you don't know what a bucket list is, it's a list of things you want to do before you can't do things anymore.

Several of the Kwahadis bought kilts and put them on over their clohtes. They looked good, cameras appeared like magic, and the gents modeled with great pride their new atire.

The evening we returned our Kwahadi and the English Scouts in camp played "rounders."

For those who play or know baseball, it's sort of like it but not
really. Each person gets to hit or swing at a pitch (slow pitch) and no matter if the ball is hit or not the person runs after swinging and or hitting the ball. There is a home plate, where the hitter stands, first, second, third and a fourth base, not home plate (where they run to score a run). The hitter/or not runs to first and the other team tries to put a runner out. If a ball is hit and caught by one hand, the whole team is out, if it is caught with both hands, only the hitter is out.

It was great watching so many have so much fun. Sharing, laughing, having fun and enjoying each other, isn't that what we're all suppose to be about?

Today we stopped at two places to see Hadrian's Wall.

At the wall I met a couple of old English Scouters. They're not active anymore, but as all Scouters we shared stories and wished each other good times, safe travel and great adventure.

Another interesting observation: people travel with their dogs a lot and being a dog lover I really enjoy that as I/we got/get to pet and know them as well as their owners. Dogs are great conversation makers.

Part of Scouting that is great is meeting other scouters from all around the world. No matter what country we're all one big family and the Kwahadi Dancers are Boy and Girl Scout Ambassadors that represent our home of Amarillo, Texas, the Texas Panhandle, as well as Ulvalde, Texas and Lake Charles, Lousiana in the best way, spreading Scouting and friendship.

As I write we're in Prudhoe, England at the Youth Center and Sue Charlesworth is our host. The Mayor, Jennifer McGee, is presenting us a plague. The newspaper is here photographing the Kawhadis and local scouts.

They had a BBQ ready for us, a place to stay, with showers, electricty, and internet!

Tonight we perform at the Community High School.

Tomorrow we depart for Hessle and a visit to the Deep Subqquarium before an evening performance at the town hall. Our host there is Keith O'Brien. We will stay at the Raywell Scout Activity Center in Cottingham.

Our adventure continues and we have learned to grab a few minutes or longer of sleep when ever and where ever can. Who knew a bus (called a coach over here)would not only be great transportation, but also a great mobile bed.

I'm going to try and upload more photos. Word of caution. Due to lack of WifiI have not been able to update and/or upload photos, so when I get the opportunity the photos may be without explanation just to be able to get some on.

Then, when and if I'll try to ID the photos with places at least.

Thank you for checking out our blog. Keep the faith and we'll update when and where ever we can.

The photos below below to the previous post called "Update."

John Madden


Posted by John Madden at 11:24:00 AM 0 Comments