Why 4,998 other folks came to Augusta this weekend with us…..

The hotel was full and noisy this weekend. The visitors were here for a special event happening Sunday morning. David was performing “A Prisoner of Passion” at 10:00am in the centre of town. Had they come to see him?  We had to get to the church early to park as the streets around the church were being closed at 9:30am. As we drove down the tree lined street, handsome Georgian Sheriffs were already manning the traffic lights and directing the gathering crowds.

It was raining so the Sheriffs all wore plastic bags over their Sheriffs hats. Not very macho. I’m glad our British Bobbies aren’t  ever seen wearing plastic bags over their helmets. Their US conterparts  could learn a thing or two from our coppers about the drainage value of a cone-shaped hat as opposed to one with a water collecting hollow in the top and a large rain gathering brim. It is the first rain they have had in the state for ages so they maybe can be excused.

I guess in Georgia the aim is to have a hat to protect from the heat and sun. In England of course this is rarely a problem. Police head gear that deflects rain water and blows from drunken football thugs is the order of the day in our beloved motherland.

Anyway, I digress. The local, national and even international media were covering this event that had drawn so much attention to Augusta this Sunday.  There was a lot of activity outside the church with tables being set up with first aid posts, water bottles, bananas and other intriguing items. Even the major was very involved. Had they all come to see TT perform at church??

Not exactly. Margaret Thatcher was dubbed “The Iron Lady” and “Paul the Apostle” was put in iron chains but these folks were here for “The half Ironman “ . “Which half?” I wondered. This event had attracted more than 3,000 triathletes competing in a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike race and 13.1-mile run.  The run took the contestants right by the church several times as they looped around the down town area.

By the time church was finished the leading runners were already puffing by having done their swim and mike race. A lovely lady and her gorgeous children were in church from Florida. Her husband was competing in the Iron Man and after church she got out her lawn chair and sat on the edge of the road outside the church with her children to cheer on the competitors especially her husband.  Many of us from the church joined them to wave, cheer and generally encourage the weary courageous athletes.They had come armed with cow bells and flags to cheer on the competitors and especially their dad.

A team of helpers was loading “BB”, aka Big Blue, our van. BB was parked across the street from the church. So they had to dodge in and out of the runners. TT, aka David, my husband even got out the video camera to capture some action, which included me running alongside some of the handsome contestants.

We were so tired after all the excitement that we rested all the afternoon and moved out of our hotel at lunch time today just as one of the Iron men was leaving too.

Here he is with Maggie his supporting lady and new bike, as yet un-named.  He beat his record yesterday to do it all in 5hr something. He has also done the Music City Marathon in Nashville.  Our home town and it starts at Vanderbilt Uni. my previous work place. We all had a nice little chat as we were leaving our hotel together.

We are now in the Radison hotel near Raleigh Durham airport on our way back to Virginia for a show tomorrow.

We drove through Charlotte, NC for the 2nd time in 3 days. It was stormy and rainy and they mentioned the “T” word, (as in Tornado) having been spotted. Hey ho you know when you are back in the south when you hear of Funnel cake and Funnel clouds!!

TT is out getting some food at Panera, subway or Food Lion.

We are in such a posh hotel. There is even a remote control that alters the firmness of the mattress. Unfortunately there is no ‘fridge or microwave. I would gladly swap the magic mattress for a microwave to make cups of tea and hot honey and lemon. Yes my cough is back    Not as bad as before. I’m just seeking sympathy. TT and I have had the sniffles as we have obviously succumbed to a USA cold bug.  Atish ooooo.

Love and hugs to all.

Please send cough drops, Kleenex and Vics vapour rub as soon as possible.

RG and TT. xx

Hey Man, look at me rocking out. I’m on the radio

TT and RG rockin' on the radio in New York state

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Good evening from the Holiday Inn Express, Webster, New York.

TT and I have just returned from Calvary Chapel Webster where the 5th performance of this tour is now under our belts. Another good performance and a great bunch of people.

We arrived in this area yesterday and did a Radio Interview for “WZXV, The Word”. Patrick, The Production Manager had interviewed TT by phone several times but wanted me to join him at the microphone in the studio. Oo my whatever next?

Anyway I wasn’t too nervous as it wasn’t live and I had my hot honey and lemon to sip and dear Patrick was so friendly and helpful. He put me entirely at ease. He even said I could cough and sneeze if I wanted to and it wouldn’t matter.

The radio station was on the campus of Finger Lakes Calvary Chapel which seems to have acres of land. There is a Bible college and school as well as the church and radio station on the complex. Loads of parking spaces and play grounds. O if only some of this parking and play ground space could be shared by our churches in the U.K. where space is a real problem!

After the interview I checked out the bookstore and sat in the café drinking coffee and using their free wifi.

We then followed Patrick back to his house for supper. 3 of their 5 children gave us a fantastic welcome calling out to us from the upstairs window.

Addie, age 3 introduced us to her two brothers, Elijah 10 and Ben 8. She explained later that her two big sisters were out.

Judy, Patrick’s wife is delightful and they cooked us the most amazing supper of Cornish hens with stuffing, double baked potatoes, green beans and salad. Bread pudding was the dessert and they made tea with PG tips in a tea pot served with digestive biscuits. They had gone to a lot of trouble to find out what an English couple abroad would like to eat. It was scrumptious.

We arrived at the hotel here in Webster after the lovely supper and will stay here until Monday morning. Deep joy. 6 nights in one hotel is wonderful and cuts down on the packing and unpacking.

We have got 6 shows in 5 days here. Most of them are in this area with 2 at Calvary chapel Rochester N.Y. on Sunday. The two churches have got together and arranged that we can stay in this same hotel for all this time.

Tomorrow we are going to Williamsport Pennsylvania. It is a 3.5hr run and some people we met today said it will be a lovely journey but we may loose our GPS connection in the mountains. Dear George, we will miss his voice, ROADIE TIP  Remember to check the route before hand and have the good old fashioned Rand McNaly US road map to hand.

We had a brilliant journey here from Massachusetts, driving on I 90 through New Hampshire and into New York. Lovely coastal route with little harbour towns, lots with English names. We turned round at one point when we saw an elderly lady setting out some things on a table to sell at the side of the road.

We were attracted by a pair of antlers. On closer inspection the only things she was selling were hand made wooden decoy ducks and these fabulous antlers. I asked how she came to have them. She said she had 6 sons and they were all hunters and she was trying to cull her antler collection. These were covered in soft fur and were from a caraboo that her son Michael had shot in Nova Scotia.

We bought them for $20 and may well fix them on to the front of BB. Don’t tell our son Jonathan, but we are going to try and get Santa to deliver them down the Old Mill chimney at Christmas. They will not fit in his stocking so and getting them down the chimney may prove difficult but I’m sure Rudolph and the other reindeers can come up with a solution as they are expert in antler maneuvering.

Today I felt much better cough wise. Thank you all for your prayers and the folks at Ellsworth Calvary Chapel prayed especially for me after the service. We stayed with Pat, in her log home for two days. She is a retired physician as well as a wonderful gardener who has a great knowledge of “green pharmacy” using herbs and plants to provide healthy nutrients. Anyway she gave me some homeopathic bits and bobs.

These helped I’m sure, as well as spending Monday with her. I did our laundry and we hung out washing together, wandered around her garden feeding the chickens and picking green leaves for our tea and supper. She also too me to a great homesteading little supply shop where she bought some feed for the chickens and I bought some Gardeners Hand cream at 50% off.

The hotel has a fitness centre, indoor swimming pool and hot spa. I used all three today. Didn’t stay long in the spa as it was too hot.
Outside our hotel window is a lovely pond and walking trail. I thought it was Lake Ontario. That is quite near but about 7 miles away. We are very far north here. The weather is lovely, about 60F. Sunny today with just the occasional tree changing colour.

I’m off to bed now. TT is still asking me what’s to eat. He is always hungry after a performance. The Pastor and his wife took us out for supper earlier at Panera Bread. I love this place. David had French onion soup but saved his sandwich until now. He is still asking for “something nice”. I have just given him strawberry yoghurt that we squirreled away from our complimentary breakfast this morning. Maybe a final cup of tea is what he needs.

Talking about tea, I made a terrible faux pas this evening. Instead of using his fav. Tea brought from England to make the tea he has on stage,  I used my red bush S. African Tea bags. What a Roadie ruinous moment. I discovered the mistake just before he went on stage. TT was NOT a happy man. I offered to make another pot quickly, but the star of the show said it was too late and he would just have to drink this. After one sip tonight, I noticed he never really took another swig only pretended too. ROADIE TIP. Check T bags are Yorkshire Decaff in the Props box before leaving hotel.

I have some wonderful photos to put on the blog, but at the moment have lost the power to add posts so am having to get son Jonathan to do this and give me the password. I am not a roadie/blogger of the 21st  century. However, today,  my sister Maggie and I Skyped each other with video for the first time ever from one side of the Atlantic Ocean to the other. She is 70 today and I am only a few years behind, so that not bad for a couple of OAP’s with a free English bus pass. Happy birthday Maggie dear. You are the BEST sister any body could have. I love you.
Night all.

Puncture, Performance,Pat’s log house

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It’s been an eventful full day. Drove about 6 hrs from Maine to Fitchburg Mass. Fantastic coastal run with lovely towns and views of the Atlantic. We had just turned into the town of Fitchburg, when we had a puncture. AAA came within the hour as did Pastors George and Eric from Calvary Chapel Fitchburg. Thankfully we had the puncture within 1 mile of our destination having traveled 300miles. What a blessing!

Great performance by TT tonight again. Now staying with our new friend Pat in her lovely log cabin in the woods in Westminster MA. She has made us chocolate chilli.  Not sure it has choc in it but it is veggie along with organic salad from her garden.

Coughed a lot again today and felt a bit rough when we got to the church. Had some honey and lemon and ibuprofen and fell asleep on the sofa in the “green room” while TT was doing his stuff on the stage.  Feel much better now although still not right. The lovely lady we are staying with is a retired physician and has a garden full of medicinal herbs. There are also chickens and baby ones outside our bedroom window in a warm room.

Off to bed now

Love hugs and prayers

TT and Rodie Gran.

Brill day in The Adirondacks!

At 8:00am this morning I was sat ON the lake on Larry and Lois’s boat dock, enjoying the peace and quiet and amazing view.  Had a lovely time of morning devotions with my bible, note book and a cup of coffee. The only other human I saw for a long time was a lone skuller?oarsman if that’s the right word. Just as I was about to climb back up to the house for more coffee and some brekkie I saw a canoe for two in the distance. I thought I would be nosey and watch it go by and as it got closer I realized it was our fellow house guests,  fearless Diana and Adrian.  After going for a cycle ride yesterday they had got up early to have a canoe on the lake before heading back to Canada.  We walked up to the house together and had breakfast.  Adrian returned to the boat dock to collect his keys and wallet from the boat house then appeared shouting excitedly, “loons, loons. Tell Lois the loons are back”. I thought he said “balloons” and asked, “what type? Hot air ones?” He laughed and graciously explained that he had said “loons, as in water bird, not BALloons!” Lois had wanted to see them so she appeared with camera at the ready. By the time we had all scrambled back down to the dock they had gone past so we high tailed it up to the neighbours where Lois captured a display of loonism by the little family who had lingered near her.

So as you see a good start to the day. Busy morning sorting out tour things. Had 3 more request for bookings today. I think we fitted in 2 out of 3 but diary is filling up nicely. Larry and David had radio interviews again.  Larry gave us a copy of his new book that is about to come out and about which he is being interviewed on the Radio.   “The Story of The Bible”. It is a gorgeous hard backed coffee table type book with of gorgeous illustrations. He spent some time in the British Library doing research there.

This afternoon we did the Lake George steam boat trip. WONDERFUL! It was cloudy and not too warm by NY standards and TT and I were the only ones on the open deck for a lot of the time. You could tell we were hardy British seafarers and are used to less than 70F temps on the Gosport and Isle of Wight ferries.  IT WAS GREAT. We took some video and lots of pics. unfortunately I have left my cable for loading pictures from my camera to computer on Ocean Beach I think so can’t post any from that camera yet. TT took a lot with his upmarket camera so I will post these soon.

Went out to Lake George village tonight for supper at the Alibaba Restaurant. Gorgeous. Middle Eastern Mediterranean Turkish type food. Lovley.

There was also a classic car rally on in St George and hundreds of old US cars around. Finished off with an ice cream from Ben and Jerrys.

Home to bed now. Feel much better cough wise today. Have now got the prescribed narcotic cough mixture from the pharmacy just in case, but haven’t taken it yet.

Tomorrow we leave for Ellsworth Maine. Adrian and Dianna should be back in Windsor Canada. Larry flies back to Nashville to get the mail and Lois is going to Portland Oregon for a nurses reunion of her Phillidelphia Hospital nursing school class.

Thank you God for this wonderful 2 days of R and R. What a joy to renew old aquantances and make new ones. Larry and Lois were saying that they first remember meeting TT when he picked them up from London airport in the 1980s and drove them around.

Cast your bread upon the waters and it will take you back to the south west shore of Lake George and Katskill Bay!

Night night all. Just opened the shutters to hear the crickets and be ready for the chattering chipmunks in the morning.

We’re about to go on a steam boat trip!!

1:30pm Home of The Stones, Lake George NY.
TT and I plus warm jumpers and windproof jackets are about to drive 20 mins in BB to board a steam boat. I’m a bit excited, especially after reading the blurb from the website of The Lake George Steam Boat Company.

Cough seems to be better today. 3 cheers for honey and lemon treatment. TT and I both slept better. I moved into the bedroom next door………. Here follows a copy of the Steam Boat “blurb” that has me looking forward to our trip. Camera? check. Warm jacket? check. Cough sweets? check. TT …… must go and find him. Byeeeeee

	Cruising the southern half of Lake George, the Mohican MORNING PARADISE BAY CRUISE offers views of lovely lakeshore scenery, the picturesque islands of the Narrows, the magnificent Adirondack Mountains and romantic Paradise Bay, accompanied by entertaining captain narration. The Mohican AFTERNOON ISLAND EXPLORATION CRUISE offers a leisurely trip around the many beautiful islands of the Narrows.  See the natural beauty of Lake George by water and see why it has been named the Queen of American Lakes.

The Big Blue Sort Out. Bikes and Soup kitchen day.

TT and I, aided by Adrian, our fellow house guest at the Stone’s Lake home took everything out of the van and sorted it.  Mrs Stone gave me free reign in her laundry room so Big Blue 2, a.k.a. Ikea dirty laundry  bag is empty and we have clean clothes. The weather was sunny and breezy and we even had to put on our long trousers after lunch as a storm blew up over the lake. There were a few boats going by and even a two man canoe, who seemed to be fighting hard against the wind and white capped waves.

The day started out with Diana, Adrian’s wife and I sitting on the boat dock, drinking coffee, admiring the scenery and having a nourishing conversation. How wonderful to meet new people and because of all of us being in God’s family immediately feeling like brothers and sisters. We had a lovely chat about our children, God’s goodness and our not so goodness, but how great is His grace and how as we get older our faith and trust in Him grows as He proves Himself faithful. Then organic muffins with butter and marmite on toast for me. The other 5 folks in the house turned up their noses to marmite.

Larry, owner of the lovely lake home and Rutledge Hill Press, spent the day doing radio interviews about a new book he is working on. One of the interviewers spent a lot of time asking his opinion of the crazy Pastor guy in Florida who is threatening to burn a copy of the Koran at the weekend. At supper Larry sugested that a much better idea  would be better for Christians to find a Moslem buddy. The Christian read the Koran and the Moslem The bible and then have a chat about it. Larry then went  for a run while I tried to stop coughing and rested on the bed reading, listening to the lake sounds, and then my Ipod. TT worked on bookings and “Tour Stuff” .  We are having requests for bookings that we are having to turn down as we are schedule is full. Nice problem.

Our Canadian friends went for a bike ride and then they and Lois served lunch at a soup kitchen with the church here.

I’m on day 2 of some strong antibiotics to clear up my cough. TT kindly drove into town to try and get the cough mixture that the doc had prescribed. I had been drinking gallons of honey and lemon but that didn’t seem to help so we decided to go the narcotic $22:00 a bottle route. I miss my British, National Health free prescription service!

Unfortunately the pharmacy had to order the cough stuff… So I will get it tomorrow. However at 6:00pm when I got up to start cooking the corn that Louis had shucked earlier, I felt much better.

Lovely supper again. Inside tonight as it was breezy and chilly outside. Freshly picked sweet corn, salad, stir fry, good conversation, grand children photo sharing and much laughter.

Off to bed now. SO thankful for this lovely restful interlude to re charge our batteries before out next show on Saturday.

Plans for tomorrow? Adrian and Diana are heading back over the border to Canada, but are going to come to Chicago to see TT in action.  David and Larry both have radio interviews!! We hope to do a trip around Lake George on an old steam boat. The Mohican. One of the captains of this boat visited here today his name. Bill Gates. He was the captain today but not tomorrow unfortunately.

Diana was saying that this morning she was thinking about hob knobbing with an actor and a book publisher who are being interviewed by the media everyday and then is told that another guest is coming, Bill Gates…. Not the master of the internet but ships captain. Hey ho me hearties. Shiver me timber and hoist the main’sle!

I’m getting silly which is a sing of excessive tiredness so “Good night all and felicitations from from upstate New York. USA.

TT sends his love and reports that his knees are improving.  Thanks for your prayers.

Unschedulled Labour Day Lay Over

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From the Comfort Inn Middletown N.J. USA

We had planned to play on the beach at Ocean City and then head north to some friends at Lake George on the other side of New York. The weather was lovely for this Labour Day Holiday that signals the end of the summer. So there is heavy  Holiday traffic everywhere. After about 2 hrs, we stopped to get some gas/petrol and use the loo at Red Bank N.J. and decided to remove Big Blue from the traffic congestion and stay near this lovely town overnight.   We are both glad to be pulling off the road early and are in our PJs. TT is eating porridge and I have had granola and a banana. We had a chicken sandwich each from Burger King for $4:00 total at lunch after a very posh breakfast at The Scarborough  this a.m. We have taken lots of photos and will post soon. Coughing intensity now down to a 3 from 8 last night. Tonight we have 2 double beds in a much bigger room so hopefully TT will not hear me doing an impression of a consumptive patient again.   Had to change out of my PJ’s into an old shirt of his last night as I had a nasty night sweat. (Is this too much information?) We were on the 4th floor of this old Inn without a lift so that is why I stole  TTs clothes. All my clean night attire was in Big Blue.  Roadie Tip: When staying in a hotel on the top floor without a lift, set up a block and tackle from the window in order to winch up van to obtain forgotten items. Off to bed now to start my brand new  book, “From the Hood to The Hill” by Barry C. Black. PhD., D.Min., D.D. Did I mention we met him and his wife yesterday??!!! They did come back to see David’s play in the evening. He was my first customer at “The Merch.” table and bought one of each of  TT’s  DVDs. Be still my beating heart.

Another prayer request for David’s knees. Both are painful and stiff today. Could this be due to :-

1. Doing a long fast walk on the boardwalk Friday or
2. Carrying going up and down 4 flights of stairs a lot .

Anyway, wearing my Roadie Grandma hat and dressing gown, I’ve just collected ice from the corridor and he is freezing his knees. Please when you are next on yours say a prayer for his. Thank you and goodnight.

Ouch! Just pinched myself to see if I am dreaming.

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Well the first “1st” is that a little airplane is flying over the beach at Ocean City by the boardwalk. It is trailing a banner that is advertising The Talent’s play tonight. “See An Evening with C.S. Lewis at the Ocean Tabernacle. Tonight at 7:00pm” it says. Whatever would his mum and dad have thought?

The second “1st” is that we have just been chatting with Dr Brown, the chaplain of the US senate who was the speaker at the services this morning! David did a little 3 min spot in both services and now his down on the board walk people and beach watching. It is wonderful here. I am having a lay down in prep for this evening. My tonsilitis  is better, but I’m still coughing. Poor David. I think I am keeping him awake. Dr Brown and his wife say they want to come and see the show tonight but we will see. Keep thinking of the only other US Chaplain I know off,  Peter Marshall who is one of my heroes along with his wife Catharine.….

We are staying in this wonderful B&B. The Scarborough Inn in Ocean City. We are on the 3rd floor and see the ocean out of the window! We have just had lunch with some dear friends, the Durkovics who only live 2 hrs away. Last night we went to supper with the Pastor and his wife from Ocean Tab at an amazing fish restaurant on the bay. I had gorgeous scallops. This is a fantastic place. Weather perfect.  I am on the “merch” table. TT is people and beach watching down on the Broadwalk.

Please pray for my cough. Sore throat better, but I am hacking a lot and keeping TT awake. He may fire me!!

As you can tell, life is v. interesting. Pictures soon!