The big weekend.

The Churchill weekend was a great success and Fulton has now reverted to it's normal quiet mode.
The gymnasium was transformed with white hangings and very chic table settings. The British Ambassador went through his speech at a cracking pace. A bit too fast. A lot of the better points were lost. It was the usual stuff, how much the Brits and the Americans have in common, about what you would expect. I think his main aim was to be photographed at the podium that Churchill had spoken from, with the same flag behind, and he succeeded. I had a brief word with him afterwards and he was perfectly charming, but one felt it was just another engagement.
 The food wasn't bad, except the pudding, which was disgusting. A tulip shape of very sweet chocolate filled with very stiff strawberry stuff.  Too much thickening and all too sweet.
We retired afterwards to the museum where we had cheese, fruit and port and brandy. Cigars were handed out, which they pointed out could not be smoked, as the whole campus is smoke free. The opposite was true when Churchill visited, when you could smoke, but you couldn't drink! I think you could say things have improved in that respect.
 Some of the attendees had met and talked with Churchill when he visited. They are all getting on a bit now. Most of the people were wealthy Americans with an interest in history and Churchill. Quite a mix, and some from the other side of the country. It was a good evening. The Ambassador went on that night, but the rest of us stayed for the second day.
Brunch was accompanied by a rather dull speech by the sculptor who had been payed a huge amount to produce yet another, completely superfluous as far as I can see, statue of Churchill. It was all about the concept behind it.....yawn yawn. Big benefactors like big, public gestures and this is one. What they could do with is more money to run the place and look after what they have, but that's not very glamorous.
After brunch we had the big lecture by Max Hastings, who was rather jet lagged yesterday, but looks quite bouncy today. It is held in the Wren church, which is rather nice. The sun is shining and the place is filled with light.
It is an interesting lecture, largely based on interviewing people around Churchill and pointing out his flaws as well as his brilliance. Needless to say, Roland is not overly impressed, but it goes down well with the audience. He does know a lot about the period and is very passionate about the subject.
There is then a reception in the museum. More food and drink. Interestingly, they never offer soft drinks.
Sir Max does a sterling job signing books and sells all six boxes full. He doesn't just write his name, he makes each one personal. I think you could say you were getting your money's worth and he doesn't come cheap!
We are asked back to the president's house for dinner, since Max is staying the night. The head of the museum leaves quite early. He is obviously exhausted by all the preparations. We stay on. Roland and Max are yakking away for hours about history, while I talk to Barney and Jane. I like them both. They are very easy company and are are huge asset to the college. Barney is a president who is visible and knows who everyone is. He has created a very nice atmosphere of mutual respect, which I think is quite unusual.

It has been horrifying to see the pictures of the earthquake in Japan and the following tsunami. Some of the footage of the wave coming in is truly terrifying. How would you start to clear it all up? Sadly, it is also taking media attention away from Libya, which is looking pretty disastrous at the moment. It all makes tornados look very small fry.

Our first visitors arrive on tuesday. Roland's brother Francis and wife Wendy. So it will be a sightseeing week and the weather isn't going to be too bad.
On saturday, when they head off down south, I am going grouse shooting! I think the grouse are going to be pretty safe, my chance of hitting anything with one arm is nil. David is kindly coming along to assist. He can't shoot, because it is a women's shoot. We get to take home what we kill, so sadly I think we will be going hungry. Never mind, it will be an experience.
No photos of the big event.