Travel broadens the mind v.damages the environment

6th September
I read in the paper that the average retired person now spends 4 hours a day using the net. Well, one thing is certain: the WI members of Bucks are well below the national average for "silver surfing". At today's Education &Current Affairs sub-committee we talked of the use made of our Federation's website and were plunged into gloom once again.
Plans are well in hand for our health day next spring and hopefully we will be able to obtain tickets for the Terracotta Army Exhibition in February. These will be two very educational events to start 2008--the Charity Commission should be pleased with us!
13th September
I accompanied the Bucks members on the coach to Coventry and the Shakespeare country today. We enjoyed a marvellously sunny day which brought out the best in the stained glass windows in the Cathedral and lit up the huge tapestry. It is a really imaginative building with the recurring theme of reconciliation.It was fascinating to compare the old St. Mary's Church, which was nearly chosen to replace the bombed version, with the modernity of the new cathedral--both have their strengths e.g. the acoustics in the new are diabolical whereas one would be embarrassed if one's knees cracked in the old!
The Blue Badge guide gave an entertaining and very knowledgeable commentary both in the cathedral and when we journeyed cross-country to Stratford-on-Avon. The blue skies set off the ruins of Kenilworth Castle which is so atmospheric.After visiting the museum at Shakespeare's birthplace, we were able to sit out at the pavement cafes and enjoy traditional cream teas. The museum is well worth a visit although the subtle lighting gets a bit too subtle sometimes. It was thronged with tourists from all over the world.
14th September
I spent a couple of hours finalising arrangements for the WI Discover Sicily visit next month with the representative from the travel firm.There are so many places in the world one would love to visit but somehow we ought to try and balance the education brought by travel with the added load on the environment of air travel. Has it got to be education versus carbon footprint? What about the UK? What about our own county? Some of our members are unable to place Haddenham or Wing!