Hands up who knew there was a town called Cambria in California, USA? Certainly not me. Who knew that the Rotary Club had a (huge) organisation with branches in USA and, in fact, all around the world, with 34,000 clubs worldwide and 1.2 million members?  Nope, not me again. I am ashamed to say I thought it was just a British thing. I now feel humble at my level of ignorance of the group who are currently a major sponsor of our operations.  I was surprised as anyone when the Rotary Club (UK, obviously!) presented us with this flag on the occasion of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant and our hosting of their group on the day. It is from the Rotary Club group from Cambria, Ca. Thanks to the local Rotarians and also to the stateside club!

Pennant donated by Rotarians from Cambria, Ca.

Pennant donated by Rotarians from Cambria, Ca. Photo by Dave Brooks

 

Meanwhile I have now received from the BBC on line shop, my copy of the “Britain’s Lost Routes” series with Griff Rhys Jones. You will recall that this series contained the episode where SB Dawn is used to ferry a load of hay bales up to Horseguards Parade, having all manner of adventures along the way. If you are in UK you may be able to get this on i-Player but here in Ireland, where we don’t pay UK TV Licence fees, we are not allowed that, but happily, the BBC are willing to sell you the DVD of the series for £19.49 inc postage and it is, in my opinion, money well spent. I have only seen the Dawn episode so far and it is brilliant, with lots of Rhys-Jones tom-foolery and plenty of loving footage of Dawn in action, including plenty from overhead (presumably helicopter shots) and some below decks. In one hilarious sequence Griff cooks them a traditional bargeman’s plum duff and they all try it out, with varied (mainly ‘not much!) enthusiasm. Brilliant.

 

3 days to Go-Live on the new site……