John McCarthy

John looks like an ordinary guy. He is, but with an extraordinary story. John was an English journalist who was captured 22 years ago in Berut Lebanon and held hostage for over 5 years. He was held hostage longer than any other Englishman. John was held with 3 Americans, one being Terry Anderson who was the longest held American captive at 6 years. Most Americans remember Terry Anderson who was an Associated Press reporter, and was released in the early 90's. Mr. McCarthy was a guest speaker at a business brunch that we attended in Monte Carlo. He told his story of constant beatings, and isolation in a basement cell so small that he could touch both walls while standing in the middle. He was finally put in with other hostages and told of how they survived mentally with only the support of each other. It was inspiring to everyone, and hard to understand, how he kept his humor and held no grudges against anyone today. It was an honor for me to chat with John briefly. He told me that his wish list if he ever survived was to see the world and meet everyone possible.

Cannes France

Here is the home of the 'Cannes Film Festival'. Each year we all watch this event on TV, which highlights the years biggest movies, actors, and producers. This is where the formal awards evening was held for the top Barclays performers. We had a 1 hour bus ride from Monte Carlo to Cannes France. This included a wonderful dinner, an awards ceremony, and an evening of dancing. This was a real treat for all winners, with the paparazzi taking their pictures on the same red carpet that the stars walk on each year. Also a real treat for me and my beautiful bride.

Monte Carlo

Here Julie and I are in front of Monte Carlo Casino, and in the Wine Cellars. Our first night in Monte Carlo was a great one. With About 20 of the other hosts, we were given a tour of the Hotel de Paris " Wine Cellars". This was built in 1860 and is the largest wine cellar in the world. Over 600,000 bottles. Some bottles dated before 1850. This tour was followed by a great dinner catered in the cellar. The city was making thier annual preparations for the Grands Prix de Monaco, which started in 1929. This is Europe's most famous formula 1 auto race, that most of us have watched on TV. It is so popular that the room rates where we stayed go to $6000 per day with a 5 day minimum booking. These reservations are booked for the next 2 years. This small country has no income tax and most large yachts have Cayman Island registry, which means no tax & license. Property values are 20 times higher than we are used to.

Monaco

We've just returned from a week in Monaco. This trip was a recognition for about 400 top Barclays employees and guests. Julie was one of the hosts, and I a co-host. Monaco was a great warm sunny place to host about 800 people in 2 separate waves. We flew into Nice France and took a 1 hour bus ride to Monaco. Just a little history---Monaco is the second smallest country in the world. The Vatican in Rome is the smallest. It's located on the Mediterranean coast surrounded by France on 3 sides, and only a 40 minute drive from Italy. American movie star Grace Kelley married the Prince of Monaco 'Rainier III' in the 50's. They had a son Albert II who is now the current Prince of Monaco. We stayed at the Fairmont Monte Carlo hotel next to the famous Monte Carlo casino. The main language is French as well as some French customs which I had to adjust to. As I used the men's restroom for the first time in this grand hotel, I was greeted by a very nice lady who came in to clean and chat with me while I used the toilet. Then we went to the pool to enjoy the warm sunny weather and had to deal with the topless ladies also enjoying the sun. It took about 4 hours for me to decide that I couldn't cope with all of that bare skin. So I had to go back the next day and try all over again. It's rough duty!

All Weather Golf

Check it out.... Today I met up with a couple of English chaps for a round of golf. It started out a nice sunny day. They say here in England, if you don't like the weather just wait 5 minutes for a change. Well that's what happened today. Every 5 minutes it got worse. We had 3 thunder storms and a hail storm during our round. Here I'm attempting to roll a putt with the green covered in hail. It was like putting down a gravel road. I was cold and soaked but these boys are tough and finish what they start, so I stuck it out. I guess I've got too soft, living in Arizona

Goose Eggs

I found these eggs at the farmers market. They are only available during the winter season. At 1.50 pounds each, I won't buy very many, but they equal 3 regular eggs. So I had my first goose-egg omelet, and found it quite good. I thought I broke the granite counter when I cracked it open. The shells are extremely thick.

Irish Breakfast

Yesterday we headed to London with two other couples to see our first UK football match. We got as far as Woking which is about 10 minutes on the train. Lucky us, the train service into the Waterloo station was canceled. So we found an old Irish pub with a big-screen for us to watch our game. I took a chance on this Irish breakfast, which was a little different than the English breakfast. The eggs are on top of potato bread, with bacon, sausage, beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, and soda bread. Everything was great until I got to the soda bread. This took place of the toast that we are used to. It tasted like an equal mix of sawdust and dirt. Then you need 2 pints of beer to get rid of that awful taste. I don't even know who won the game.

You Gotta be Kidding!

Randy and Ruth Lowe left us yesterday. What great friends, we miss them already. Ruth went back to Wenatchee and Randy went on to Austria to inspect a new turbine design for the Chelan Co. PUD. We gave them a warm sunny week and look what they left behind for us. A Washington State snow storm. Taking this picture from our balcony this morning I thought, this isn't what we signed up for, I hate snow! Oh by the way---after several complaints, I opened up the blog for all comments. There's no need to sign on through a Google account.

Monty Python

Last night we treated ourselves to a great comedy show. Our ghost blogger Ruth, got us tickets to Monty Python's Spamalot stage show. We went into west London, after Julie got home from work and for over 2 hours we busted a gut laughing. There are numerous world-class plays and shows in London to see. We also toured the Tate museum of modern art on Wednesday of this week. It seems that the longer that we are here, the more things we have to do. It's fun to share it with such good friends. We're having a blast!

Randy at the Clandon Regis Golf Club

After a busy couple of days of London touring, and getting Karen off to her adventure, it was time to experience some golfing in the UK. Phil and Randy went to his club, no hats in the bar mind you, to play 18. It was a great experience as it is a difficult course, with a lot of 425 yard par 4's and wet conditions. It was flat and long, with very interesting design features. I was thankful the wind wasn't blowing. The old boys don't have the power they once had and we would tell you our scores, but then we would have to shoot you. On hole 15, a character out of a Scottish movie poked his head over the fence and started tossing about 30 golf balls our way. He walks the course in the evening and gives the balls to unsuspecting tourists. He had a strong accent and as Phil said, "I couldn't understand a word he said except that he wanted to give us free golf balls" The locals were really friendly, and of course they already know Phil by name. Note: This blog by ghost blogger II, Randy.

Goodby Karen

We've just released one of our US inmates. Here Karen Lowe (left) meets a co-worker, a WSU grad, and 2 Stanford grads in the London International terminal. They will travel to Paris which will be their first stop on a 2 week European tour. This is her first trip to Europe and we are all very excited for her.

Churchill Museum

Here in this building is the Churchill Museum, and the historical Cabinet War Rooms. The basement of this building was where Churchill directed the entire war after becoming prime minister in 1940. We toured the basement rooms that housed all of the war staff. Here they worked and slept. This basement level was covered by a 4 ft. concrete slab, protecting from the thousands of rockets and bombs that were fired from Germany.

Royal Air Force

Today we were treated to an unexpected show from the RAF in London. What a show! They flew over us on the Millenium Pedistrian Bridge as we crossed over the Thames with about 5,000 other people watching. Being with Phil we hadn't even planned to make this show we just happened to be in the right spot at the right time. We are having a wonderful time. The Roddy's are the best hosts!
By Ghost Blogger, Ruth

US Visitors

Randy, Ruth and Karen Lowe came for a 1 week visit. After their British Airways flight was canceled, they found a flight with Air Canada. A day of jet lag, and we were sight-seeing in London. Here we are in the London Eye, 450 feet in the air. We were lucky with a sunny day so we could see most of London.