The last magic days in the USA.

A little Turkey, Bacon, Cheese and Ham sandwich American style at the Stockbridge, Massachusetts Cafe. The home of Norman Rockwell. They don't make 'small' sandwiches!

One of my favourite social painters, is Norman Rockwell. I love his realism, attention to detail and sense of humour in many of his works. He also makes powerful social commen in some of his works.

The 'broken telephone' starting top left is a typical comment on a rumour being transmitted and changing along the way. Very typical of society.

I thought that this is a good example of a mighty tackle for the rugby players. Total commitment and total destruction.

Wonderful detail of all parties at a Boxing Match.

The 'Golden Rule'. This is a section of what was to be a huge mural at the United Nations. A mockup in some detail is in his studio and this is a section of the audience to a debate at the UN with the Russian, American, British and French delegates during a debate. It is a magnificent portrayal of the many peoples of the world watching intently as the Super Powers debate in the General Assembly.

The main Strret of the town of Stockbridge where Norman Rockwell spend his final years. This town has not changed since his death as it is a Historical site.

The Manor House at the Norman Rockwell Museum

Norman Rockwell's studio which was transported from the town to the present site at the Norman Rockwell Museum. The interior is exactly as he had it on the day he died.

Tim, Barbara and I outside the studio on a beautiful Summer's day.

Another view of the Manor House built of local Travertine stone.

The Lilly Walk at the Botannical Gardens

Walking toward the Martha Stewart Garden shed at the Botannical Gardens. Even the roof is planted with herbs.

One of my 'Lighthouse Series' of works I painted in 1996 for my USA exhibition. This was bought by a friend of mine and I took this shot on my Birthday.

My little plate of dinner food (by American standards) on my Birthday

Nancy and my Birthday cake. We celebrated together at her Brother's home. She is my friend Tim Haag's sister.

Some desert chocolates.

Nancy and I, the Birthday pair.

Tim and Barbara's deck which Tim built.

Gilette Castle from accross the Connecticut River

Ferry crossing on the Connecticut River

Gilette Castle built by Philip Gilette the famous actor who acted the role of Sherlock Holmes. The castle is full of secret doors, mirrors and a different wooden door latch on each door.

The conservatory at the castle

Another view of the conservatory.

Part of the garden of Gilette Castle.

The entire castle was hand built in local stone and took 18 months to build by a swarm of stone masons.

Looking toward the mouth of the Connecticut River.

The reception and restaurant facility for the Gillette Castle.

Part of Tim and Barbara's Hosta garden.

Tim's vegetable garden with cucumbers, tomatoes and Summer squash dominating with some emerging Broccolli.

North side of Tim and Barbara's home.

The front of the home with a part of their extensive garden.

The wood shed with part of the wood we split for their next Winter.

Inside the wood shed with about a half of the wood packed ready for the next Winter. Tim burns wood in his furnace to save on gas. He has an extensive property with many trees and each year, some are blown down in the storms which often ravage parts of the USA. These are cut into sections and he and I split an estimated 10 cords (4x4x8 feet).

Tim at work in his large and well equipped, but very full workshop.

The basement walls of Tim and Barbara;s new Lake House on Lake George. The back wall is 17 feet high!

The Geothermal piping before the concrete floor was thrown.

A view from above the new house before framing starts.

One of Tim's pieces, a table centre candle holder.

Another of Tim's pieces

Barbara's family at Lake George for my last weekend in the USA.

Sisters Barbara (l) and Linda with Murphy on Linda's lap. She is a young Springer Spaniel who was the runt of the letter and has not grown to full size.

Alan, Barbara's brother teaching Olivia to fish in the lake. Her first experience.

Alan with Olivia's first catch, a Bass.

Some of the beer and wine at the weekend at Lake George.

Ready for breakfast.

Evan the Framer and Tim discussing the next step in the construction of the lake House.

Route 20 in NY State on our way to the Baseball Hall of Fame the day before I returned home. Scenic drive and very typical of the countryside of New England.

One of the great Baseball Managers of all time in the USA, Tommy LaSorda who did such an amazing job with the Dodgers in their World Series victory over the Yankees in 1981.

The great Babe Ruth carved out of a single block of Bass Wood. Amazing likeness.

General picture of Hall of Fame Baseball personalities.

Another amazing carving of a famous player.

Lou Gehrig, one of the USA's greatest Baseball players who gave the name to the muscle wasting didease ' Lou Gehri's Disease' who had to quit playing because of this debilitating affliction.

A great painting of a Baseball coach and his charges.

Linemen hooking up a radio while on the job to listen to the World Series which used to be in the morning before TV.

Babe Ruth indicating where he would hit a home run in his final game and he did.

Norman Rockwell - the game called of due to rain!

Super-realistic oil painting of Babe Ruth.

The plane home at JFK. Ready to get back to family, friends and my beloved SACS before starting the second leg of my journey to visit as many of my past students, my boys, as possible around the world. I am ready to go home again after 8 months in the USA, Caribbean, Mexico and Canada. An amazing adventure of 12 734 miles drivn and many more with Tim and Barbara back and forth to Lake George 4 times. I brought back the rear window for my 1949 Ford as well as the new instrumntation. Also snuck in a bunch of Heritage seeds for my new Vegetable garden at my Brother's home in Bergvliet. yay! So much thanks to all the SACS and 2 RBHS guys I was with and specially to Tim and Barbara Haag, Lee, Mary, Doug and Christine Rohde, the Carters and Turners for hosting me so generously and so graciously. I am eternally grateful for friendship, fellowship and my boys generosity throughout my trip. The jounrney continues.