They love us! And we love them!!
Trip Start
Jun 03, 2011
1
7
14
Trip End
Jun 12, 2011
Where I stayed
Auchterarder, Scotland, United Kingdom
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Here is Mr. Jon Hayes and his lovely wife. As I promised, he is alive and very well. Just before I snapped this picture he was reenacting his episode on the plane. He has way too much energy in the morning! :)
Today’s bus highlight was playing "Get to Know Your Bus Driver!" Bruce interviewed Andrew, our wonderful driver, to get to know the real man behind the map. Or something along those lines.... He was a good sport :)
Now, there IS a video of a part of this interview that I would like to put up, but it will have to wait until we have a faster internet connection. Something to look forward to! Just imagine Bruce with complete control of the microphone for an hour. I'll let your imagination to lead you where it will until I can get the video clip up.
We spent the entirety of this Sunday at Auchterarder Parish Church. Our time there was absolutely fabulous. The people were so welcoming and eager to talk to us. We sang at their 11:15 service- Psalm 150, I Waited for the Lord, and Give Me Jesus. Bruce preached about ascension. It was a nice message for even those of us on the tour to hear, as we busily try to fill up every moment of our time with sights and history. Sometimes the best moments can come while being still and just enjoying the people and the beauty around us.
After the service we spent time meeting and greeting the congregation. Then it was time for the grub! The church ladies prepared soup and sandwiches for us. You would think we had never had any of it before, the way we all went on and on about the soup! :) AND the best apple pie I’ve ever had. I think it had Granny Smith apples in it. YUM!!
After tea, we went back in to the sanctuary for rehearsal. Boogie Woogie got its groove on, thy dwelling place WAS lovely, and my Lord, it was quite a morning (well afternoon), so Bruce gave us some free time to roam the town. I spent that time writing to you all, our loved ones across “the pond” as they say. Some people went on a two-mile walking loop around the church grounds and into the town. Others went shop-hopping around town- I got a candy bar out of that group! And some hung around the church and rested or chatted with the people at church. We all came back together for dinner and a bit of a show, as a group practiced for THEIR concert that was happening down the hall from ours tonight. No, literally…. Down the hall and through two doors. (Don’t worry, we still had a great turn out!)
Dinner was homemade lasagna (one of my favorite foods) and a variety of cakes and goodies. Tea again, and then off to change for the concert. It was fun to watch the audience while we sang. They hadn’t heard many of the songs before- some of which we’ve been singing for a long time- and got a kick out of some of them and the introductions given by Bruce and Eileen. Our Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy choreography had a good debut performance. It can only get better! Earlier in the day someone at the church requested that Shellee sing “Were You There” so she changed her solo to that for the night and it was beautiful.
After the concert we went out to talk to the people in the audience. There were around 150 people there! They were so appreciative and complimentary and genuinely excited for the trip we have in store. We got some history about the places we're going to be visiting and personal stories and experiences at some of the locations. A great first concert overseas in Auchterarder. And now, to bed!!
Comments
Once again, Meg...you hit it out of the park! Jeff and I feel we are right there with you. We even had lasagna tonight for dinner to try to channel your experiences. Love the cell phone saga....you do have a way of capturing the moments which create the essence of the trip. Give our love to everyone....glad Jon is okay! How fun to switch seat partners on the bus...can't wait to hear the stories. Our wishes are for some sun and amazing adventures!
Love the picture of "the woman with the binder." Tell Bruce and Linda I said that! ;)
I heard only that Jon R fainted - so I am glad to know he is healthy. He probably needed to divert all of the attention that Charlotte has been getting from her broken finger!