So, since the end of June what's been occurring?
On the Rotary front it's been a busy few weeks - been to Kingham & Daylesford, Maidenhead Thames, Langley & Iver, Ascot, Marlow Thames, Crowthrone & Sandhurst & Oxford Spires - met loads of nice people, picked up some great ideas, which has taken my total of clubs visited up to 30 - almost half way through my Be Better Known campaign. It being the Rotary year end we also went to a number of celebratory dinners - at our own club, Elthorne-Hillingdon, which was extraordinary (!) , the District Handover, combined with that of Windsor St George, and Pinner, where outgoing President Nigel Shock received a Paul Harris award. Middle of the month saw the Future Leaders Workshop - good to see better than half of the 2013-2014 Presidents there, with a good number of 2014-2015 candidates as well. Felt for RC Uxbridge having to cancel their Autoshow at the last minute - the appalling weather turing the showground into a quagmire - all that effort put in for no return - hope they can bounce back. Elthorne-Hillingdon had the luck of the devil (or the righteous?) only a few days later though, with a brilliant day for the annual Golf Day, arising an outsanding £9,500 for Canine Partners - congratulations to all involved, but particularly to Club Treasurer Terry Ruby who masterminded the whole event. Also great to go and see District Governor Nominee Tim Cowling making such fantsatic progress following his recent operation. Looking forward to thrashing him at golf at the end of the month!
Talking of golf, made a step change this month - a smashing round with my usual group and a supplementary card duly entered led to a swingeing cut in handicap - down from 26.9 to 23.2. Followed it up with a 5th place (of 45 entrants) in a Seniors competition, narrowly avoiding a further cut. More normal service has since been resumed sad to say, but rounds now habitaully have a sprinkling of pars which is definite progress.
On the personal front, we looked after our grandson Edward for a couple of days at the beginning of his school holidays and took him to the Harry Potter Studio Tour at Leavesden - fantastic day for all of us - will have to go back when we can have more time to marvel at the detail that went into the film making.
And in the evening to the quailfying for Men's Gymnastics at the O2, oh no sorry, The North Greenwich Arena. Really, really impressed with the way the entire country has taken to the Games and the shear brilliance of the way we've organised it - just so impressive. Oh, and by the way, didn't our athletes do well! Enjoyed it so much we've got ticketrs for the Paralympics Opening Ceremony - we get to go to the Stadium!!
