This is the first time I have logged-on for over two weeks and I am going to keep this one brief (how many times have I said that?!!). It will have to be brief because I am still jet-lagged from the 10 hour flight (extended by a badly-timed fire evacuation at Gatwick Airport before we had reclaimed our baggage!).

I'll be going into greater detail, I am sure, before many days have passed and building a sub-album devoted to The Gathering within my Photo Album, but I just had to offer a public and heartfelt "Thank You" to those responsible for making The Gathering the success it so obviously was. Notably, Raphael who, with his dear wife Louise and son Nathaniel, could not possibly have done more to make our stay in Vancouver so enjoyable. Apart from the 'official' events and functions, those dear people ensured that we saw and experienced just about everything within a day's drive from the city that should not be missed. We must have driven hundreds of miles, dined in every type of restaurant (and their home) and picnic-ed elsewhere. Dave and I had very little time to ourselves - and that's NOT a complaint!! We can never repay their magnificent hospitality, but we can and do reciprocate the love and friendship they extended to us.

Others who put themselves out to welcome us, and in no particular order, were Colin and his wife, Jill; Bear and his family and Steve Ashton. It was wonderful too to meet with and put faces/voices to those previously known only by their names: David, Binx, Andrew, Todd, Nathan and several others, and to meet again Jamie and his family from the other Vancouver(!) and, albeit briefly, Bob and Elaine from Portland.

These past two weeks at The Gathering in Vancouver will live forever in my memory. It has been a fantastic experience and I am indebted to everyone we met over there.

Thank you all.

Take care,
Ham.