CDDHS/DCMA Battlefields Tour 2013

Last Tour Update before School starts

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Hi Everyone,

 

I hope you can squeeze some terrific rest and relaxation out of the last week of summer - can you believe that we all go back September 6? You will also see from the count-down clock how close the tour is getting!!

 

However........here are some CRITICAL updates you must consider NOW:

 

  • the DCMA has only received six (yes, 6!~!!!) RSVPs to the September 18 Veteran's Reception....that is because YOU have not contacted them with your numbers. YOU MUST CALL THEM ASAP WITH YOUR NUMBERS! - The deadline is next Tuesday August 30th!!! 
  • Are your presentations ready to go?  Remember - three mins MAX, with a digital photo of your veteran from their war years. This must be ready for Sept 18 also.
  • To date, I have received rooming requests from only 10 students - that's fine...they get their choice of roommates...where are the rest of you planning to sleep?  Please don't be frustrated with your accommodations partners if you are slow to respond to room allocations requests.
  • Remember that your FINAL BALANCE is due by September 30 - so keep counting those pennies. I really hope that the final figure will be less than anticipated - stay posted to this website for a FINAL announcement.

Lastly, the DCMA is hosting a Fundraising Dinner to help cover the costs of sending the Afghanistan Veteran (Cpl. Wayne Strudwick) along with us on the tour. Cpl. Strudwick is really excited to be joining us and is currently on a tactical operation training exercise in Alberta. He will be back to speak at this Fundraising Dinner on September 10 - please read the letter (Sept 10 Fundraising Dinner) and then talk to your families about joining us that evening.

 

I have taken a table of tickets for the event and I know that Ken Weber is an excellent speaker/entertainer with lots of amazing historical/hysterical stories about life in Dufferin County - hope to see you there!

 

See you all on Tuesday, September 6 and never hesitate to send me any questions you have.

 

Neil Orford

 

 

London Calling

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 ORFORD AND CODD TAKE LONDON BY STORM Westminster Bridge 

 



Welcome to London - the capital of cool...

 

Ms. Codd joined us for the London leg of the tour, where we ran every part of our proposed itinerary for November. You're going to love starting the tour in such a vibrant diverse city! It is a 24 hour destination which has a 'daytime' culture and a pulsating 'nighttime' culture. Despite what is on the news about London, we felt very safe as we walked around the neighbourhoods of central London.

Royal Albert HallRoyal Albert Hall
 

 

The features on our itinerary on Days 1 and 2 are all exceptional. The Tower, the Palace, the Cabinet War Rooms, the Imperial War Museum, Parliament, the Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral and the London Eye are awesome attractions and easy for groups like ours to navigate. We have a much clearer picture of the routes we should take and some neat stops we should make such as the shopping in Covent Garden, lunching along the north Embankment, standing in the middle of Piccadilly and gazing upon the attractions of the Circus. We spent some time in South Kensington and took in a theatre show in the West End.
 

GherkinGherkin Building dwarfs the Tower of London
 

 

The key to successful management of a city like London is the Tube - all of you will have to try riding the famous subway system for at least 3 stops - we have some good suggestions.

Now some tips:

  • London is expensive - lunches can be 5-10 GBP if you want a sandwich and a drink
  • There are always line-ups (queues) for attractions...even in November
  • Crowds are to be expected
  • Museums are (usually) free, but everyone has a gift shop - so be careful
  • Shopping can be very easily accomplished....but don't feel compelled to buy things as soon as you see them....take your time to shop!! 
  • Pay close attention to street signs and watch traffic carefully.....remember driving is on the left
  • If you expect to use Wi-Fi on a regular basis, it costs $$. Even Starbucks charges - so get your Starbucks Wi-Fi Card registered before you leave home
  • Hotels have very small elevators, if they have them at all - they call them "lifts." Most hotels just have stairs.

 Lots more to show and tell when the school year starts.

 

Have a great rest of the summer. Get your presentations finished and don't forget to contact the DCMA with your numbers soon!

 London Eye
 View from the London Eye looking down on Big Ben and the Thames River

London New City Hall
 

New London City Hall