Thanks
to the freight trains, we awoke early. Matt convinced me that as we
had no cycling planned, we should go for a run. So we run for about
25 minutes by the river in Newton, returning just in time to snake a
shower at the pool before they closed their early-morning session. We
had already desposited our bikes safely under lock and key at the
pool; under the watchful eye of Josh. So we were free to pack up our
camp and head to Hertz; to hire a car for an Oklahoma excursion.
Newton is a very small town, with one hire company. Yet Cassie, our
attendant rumaged up some coupons to minimise our car-hire. Legendary
customer-service! We ended up paying 2 days for the price of one.
Full
of gratitude, we hit the road. It is insulting how swiftly you eat up
the miles in an air-conditioned car on an Interstate. I've become so
accustomed to our miles-cycled-per day approximation that to see the
'Oklahoma City - 160 miles' reduced to 'Oklahoma City - 50 miles' in
just a few radio songs felt insutling. Embittered but also grateful,
we arrived in Norman, Oklahoma after a few hours in our comfy
hire-car cabin. There we were welcomed by 'Mrs B'. Otherwise known as
JoAnna Belknap.
Mrs
B is the wife of the late Dr B, who was a highly regarded and very
well renowned practicing phisition, educator, philanthrapist and just
happened to be the troop leader of the scouting Troop 777 of Norman.
For those of you who don't know I was a member of Taverham scouts
when I was growing up and we were lead by the great Nigel Cusion of
Taverham, Norwich. Nigel is an incredibly enthusiastic, energetic and
inspiring leader and in the summer of 1992, the year after I joined,
he and Dr B had managed to organize the summer camp to Oklahoma to
visit Troop 777 who they had meet the summer before at the
international Jambore in Norfolk. This was like a dream come true to
us scouts, at aged 11 I had never been on a plane or been abroad (not
counting Wales) and so this was the most exciting adventure ever. We
had a fabulous 3 and a bit weeks travelling around texas and oklahoma
with troop 777 and making good friends with the scouts from Norman.
This incredile trip could never of happend if ot wasn't for the
insatiable vision, determination and enthusiasum of Nigel and Dr B.
As
the saying goes behind every great man is a greater woman and this is
very true of Mrs B. It is very hard to describe such a person, like
Dr B Mrs B really stands out in my memory from that great trip. She
is an incredible lady, enthusisastic, hard working, inspiring and so
amazingly positive. Just being around her makes you smile. Dr and Mrs
B have touched and helped so many people in so many different ways
its such an inspiration. An estimated 1500+ people turned out for Dr
B's funeral in 2008 with full military honors, a jet fly by and all
of the members and past members of troop 777 wore their uniform in
remembrance.
So
you can imagine my excitiment at seeing Mrs B again and she is just
as rembered. Unfortunatly as everyone knows I am not the best person
to keep in contact with being so caught up in the here and now but I
do know when I see my friends, even after many years it is just the
same as it has always been. We had a fantastic time catching up and
hearing all about Mrs B's adventures, hiking all the way across the
grand canyon (for a lady in her 70's that is very good going) camping
trips into the wilds and missions to Uganda to visit the Dr B's
medical unit set up by Dr and Mrs B in some of the remotest areas of
Uganda. The programme is now being run by Mrs B and her grandson is
helping out too.
Mrs
B also took us out to the outdoor shop (and got u a discount) for
some much needed supplies and then out for a fantstic dinner with the
Harris's (brothers Luke and Miles were members of 777 and their mum
Janie was a leader) and the Carter's with Don now being the troop
leader. We had a great catch up and fill up then headed back to Mrs
B's for futher catch up. Miles now works in Oil and Gas and I grabed
a ride home in his limited edition 606 bhp Camera and wished I han't
eaten so much. We had a lovely evening catching up and Luke put us in
touch with a mate of his who owns a ranch on our ride so if we like
we can crash there which will be cool.
It
was so nice to sleep in a very comfy bed again, no unforgiving trains
(just Sals gentlle snores) and we both had a great nights sleep (me
dreaming of the very clean clothes I will be able to wear tomorrow).
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