#lake district: air cadets

[princesscatherinemiddleton]

The Princess of Wales in jackets and jeans

[honeyboy-85]

Ichor Noire

Central Park welcomed me with the bite of its 15 degree frost-laden air. I was in the throes of delirium, with only my ex’s flannel for warmth, and socks that were already tattered during my brief flight from my apartment, back over on 5th Avenue. My muscles burned in protest, and my extremities stung with numbness, but my home was no longer my sanctuary. Emanating from my flat, the police station, Coney Island, and through every congested street of the city, was a pall that hung in the atmosphere. Somehow I could just tell, this biohazard was an event that was going to change the course of humankind; even if that meant we were careening to a dead end. My mind was erratic with the terror a cat might experience while fighting its way out of a burlap bag, after being hurled into a lake. The human faculties that proudly developed over the course of 6 million years flickered in my being, like the ostentatious Sony billboard that could be seen all the way from 42nd Street. I had to find some place to hide in this squalid, rectangular woodland. Existential despair threatened to halt me in my tracks, but I pushed it to the gnarled, ugly cellar of my disintegrating mind. My feet might be taken by frostbite before sunrise, but I didn’t feign a flowery smile through years of fear from Russian ICBMs, only to fall apart before this new, shapeless fear. Or was it actually new? I guess I should start from the beginning. My name is Ellie Marsh. I grew up in Winnfield, Louisiana. I thought about going to Tulane for Journalistic studies, but decided New York City might be the change of pace that I needed. Summer and Fall ran their courses, and even though the city was ragged with homeless colonies and needed a fresh coat of paint, there was a certain rugged hominess to this crazy, neglected city. I felt like here, history was constantly being rewritten. What more could a journalist ask for? It was shortly before Valentine's Day, when entire cities became derelicts. First, it would start with a few missing persons cases; a drifter here, a few college students there. Through the course of several days, the population would plummet by tens of thousands. Downward that number would spiral, until it flatlined. This happened all over the world, too - Hong Kong, Morocco, Shinjuku, Dallas, Rio, Birmingham, the list went on. Police were stretched tight enough to snap, trying to address the disappearances while also maintaining order among the destabilizing populace. Looting reigned supreme, between the business and residential districts. Arson, murder, and a general state of anarchy danced over the jaded cityscapes. The police couldn’t even bother with the blockades for the highways leading out of town, which allowed the smart residents to escape.

Later on, deserters would be questioned by authorities, and their testimonies would make no sense. Regarding family or friends that didn't escape, they wanted those people dead instead of rescued. Media experts were blaming it on a mass psychosis, a symptom of the as yet unexplained phenomena that was striking cities on a global scale.

There was no pattern to how these cities were hit. No cult had this level of mass influence. No known virus could cause this, no matter how unstable the mutation. It seemed the only alternative left was too preposterous for me to entertain.

As soon as New York's population began to get culled, the other field journalists and I set out to investigate our scoops. Was this really how I was meant to get my Pulitzer? By leveraging an international panic and attaching it to an alien invasion? I went to the police, just to look into missing persons cases.

Much of the force was out in the streets. They screeched away from West 20th, in the direction of a plume of fire that sprouted northwards. Every car I passed was free of tickets; apparently the police actually had real problems, for once.

I entered the station’s foyer. There were so few cadets and interns compared to usual, but the air was frenetic and tense. The receptionist was livid with stress as he was keying data into one of the latest IBM computers. He was terse and completely disinterested in indulging me with any sort of interview or comment. As I was being turned away though, I spied some officers going through the fire escape with tall stacks of paperwork. I trusted my intuition and came out to the side of the building.

 I bumped into a young man, possibly too young to even drink. He was quite apologetic to me, even though I was the one that sent his stack of paper and files tumbling. I knelt down to assist him, but also took the time to skim his paperwork for anything of interest. The idea that lept in my mind was rather mean, and might even cost him his job in a typical crisis, but I had to get unfiltered and reliable information. Thankfully the others were too wound up to assist him as I had already volunteered for it, and they dashed back into the station to fetch whatever remained of their files to be stored in the armored van next to us.

Taking my share of his papers, I placed them on top of his stack as he held it in waiting. Then, I leaned in close and left a light kiss on his cheek, telling him to keep up the good work in my best Southern drawl, before I teasingly dragged the brim of his hat down over his eyes, using his brief surprise to reclaim the stack I gave him.

The cadet let his stack tip over again. Perfect.

I promptly left the station behind me. My heart was racing out of control as I took the papers to the nearest alleyway. I sank against the wall, waiting for my palpitations to calm down, gripping the wadded up notes in my fist. There was a hobo curled up beneath some newspapers, but I wasn't too concerned about him ratting me out. Trembling, letting my breath get steady in the cool air, I finally sorted out the notes in whatever passed for sequential order.

There was a healthy garnishing of the usual destabilizing incidents that characterized this panic. However, two detective reports that made me stop breathing as I read were the following - One, Mayor Cochran had apparently murdered his entire family at his estate. He had been moved to the hospital to be treated for his injuries before awaiting questioning from authorities. The other was an unexplained wildfire that was currently razing Yankee Stadium to the ground. There was much less information available on this fire, but judging from the clouds turning charcoal black on the horizon, that seemed to be from Yankee Stadium.

It was clear at this point: I had to assume I only had the time to chase one of these leads. With the nature of the emergency at the stadium, everyone in the city would probably be clamoring to get a look at the action. Naturally, any sports journalists that were in the area would already have a front seat to their scoop. It seemed like it would be a wasted gesture to report on it from the back of the crowd, only to write on what most of the other editors would already be preaching at greater depth; I'd be stuck with crumbs whether I went there or not.

The mayor's family massacre definitely made for a byline that would practically write itself as a virtuoso. But getting to question him held an equally steep level of difficulty to the stadium, though with far fewer elements - he was under armed watch as the key suspect.

Stopping briefly at a local bistro for the strongest cup of Colombian coffee they had, I gulped it down with cream and made my way back to my apartment. I phoned up a friend of mine that worked at the hospital as a registered nurse, named Alison Sinclair. The incredulity of her voice was not hard to pick up on as I asked her to lend me a nurse’s uniform, so that I could sneak into the Mayor’s hospital room unopposed. I knew quite well how much I was jeopardizing her career, but I was amazed to see she relented. Perhaps she was also curious as to the nature of the Mayor’s meltdown.

Taking the time to grab a curly dark wig and set it convincingly in place on my head, I left it messy in front of my face and took the next taxi to Kings County Hospital Center. Making my way through the lobby, it seemed to be too much a scene of pandemonium to keep track of a girl just wearing street clothes. Good. I crept into the bathroom and, locking myself in the stall Alison told me about, I reached into the unlatched vent and retrieved the nurse’s uniform she left for me. Hurriedly changing into it, I came out, approached the mirror, put my hair in a bun, and applied some light makeup. I had no idea if my clothes and wig would remain undiscovered in the same hiding place, so I had to make this count.

I came out from the bathroom, with Alison casually waiting and bantering with me about how I’d forgotten the badge she handed me. I gave a quick glance before clasping it to my collar - Susan Greer, Dietician. The hospital barely had a little more than half of its usual staff to address the patients growing by the hour, and I tried my best not to let myself blanch at the thought of having to do anything related to medicine. Apparently Susan’s tag was chosen because the Mayor was also being treated for gout.

Some rather unpleasant thoughts caused me to stumble a bit on my heels. I caught some curious looks from hospital personnel, but I did my best to simply look like I was exactly where I belonged. My attention turned to my surroundings, however; the patients that got priority seemed to be in a state of despondence. No, not despondence, more like detachment. I could hear doctors as we passed by, asking the patients if they had any sensations despite not having a pulse. One of their answers was a little on the cryptic side: “We feel everything. It’s actually your pulse we feel, Doctor.”

What a time to not have my notepad out. I couldn’t be seen with it though. I didn’t want to attract more attention than I’d already done. But one woman in particular had a strange series of….stigmata, on her skin? As the doctors restrained her, I found myself lingering a bit to watch the phenomena dance on, no, out of her skin, as they began emergency treatment on her in the middle of the hallway. Her blood ran in rivulets down her throat, but it also seemed to oxidize in contact with the air, dancing like some strange green cosmic fire. The doctor, only briefly daunted, tried to snuff it with the white towels that would have been used to operate. I saw the markings creep out from under the cloth, however. And it seemed to manifest as some strange black vines or ivy. It was beautiful, but also ghastly in its predatory dexterity, lashing the doctor’s hand.

My thoughts were jostled by the touch of Alison’s hand on my shoulder. She nudged me back to our task. She was right, I should not be so carefree about this ruse. I followed her, making the mental note to perhaps approach the intrepid doctor later for comment. His groans of pain faded behind us, and we finally approached our destination, guarded by three uniformed officers.

The mayor was right in front of me, in room 422.

I tried my best not to avoid eye contact with the police. They were incredibly on edge with everything they’d witnessed in this hospital, and they’d be more perceptive of suspicious behavior than even the staff. I told them that the patient had gout that would likely cause his state to deteriorate, and we were going to weigh different nutritional options that might speed his recovery. They slowly nodded, their gaze not breaking from mine as they let me in the door. Alison stayed outside to chat with them, likely to give me extra time to squeeze whatever details I could from the suspect Mayor.

I swiftly slid out my notepad from beneath my dummy patient notes, and pinned it in place on top of my clipboard. My breath caught in my lungs though, as I saw Mayor Cochran sitting up at the side of his bed. He seemed to be basking in the moonlight that streamed in through his window. There was a strange tightness in the room that made it seem much more narrow than it actually was. He turned toward me, the age lines etched deeper in his features than what I had seen on the television, just the other day. The things he spoke did not seem to pertain to any questions I posed to him. His sanity seemed fractured, steeped with anguish over what he did to his family, what they had supposedly become. He spoke of the fire at Yankee Stadium, and how so many more blazes just like that one illuminated the planet like candles in the blackness of space. He dug his fingernails into his cheek as he spoke, growing agitated as he described a certain entity that had orbited our planet for some time, using the sun itself as a blindspot to avoid detection from our satellites and telescopes.

A scratch at the window interrupted his stream-of-consciousness rambling. A small yelp escaped my mouth as I tripped backwards. Three silhouettes loomed well in front of any potential footing that window ledge may have offered. The Mayor cried out in a peal of uncanny horror I didn’t expect to hear from a man. The figures reached to the glass, sliding their fingers through. What caused my brain to start doubting itself though, was that the slender fingers parted the glass, as if it had the same substance as a curtain. It was the Mayor’s family!

They had phosphorescent threads hanging over their heads, stretching out into the endless night sky. And hints of the same strange markings I saw on the earlier patient.

Wrenching the door open and entering, a guard from the group outside opened fire. While the bullets sent fragments of their heads and clumps of their golden hair flying, the gun ultimately proved ineffectual as the Mayor’s wife and daughters were already in much worse shape. Did Cochran fire at them with a shotgun, back at their estate?? I edged my way along the wall, only now realizing that there were gunshots popping from outside the room, as well. I may very well be wandering into a death trap, but every instinct in my body was telling me to vanish from this situation. One of the daughters pinned the cop to the floor. Despite her face being ghoulishly half-erased from buckshot, it was still quite sufficient in taking a bite out of the officer’s throat. The other two crawled onto the Mayor’s mattress, crooning at him as his cries of terror were reduced to the whimper of a dumb animal. I slipped out the door, the death-rattling screams of the two victims following me out.

Vampires. This was the secret behind this world-threatening event - vampires?

The lights were still on in the hallway. I found myself very appreciative that there were no floorboards to creak with each careful and deliberate step I took. Wheelchairs and drip stands and gurneys were turned over, as if a hurricane had torn its way through the hallway.

My thoughts were racing, but also sticky. Should I go for the slower but more discreet exit down four flights of stairs? Or should I stress test my already rotten luck with the elevator? My cup runneth over with all these delightful decisions!

A ceiling panel came crashing down, just behind me.

I froze. My heart thumped harder than the speakers at the Danzig show I went to a couple months back. The dust from outdated insulation spread around me, which caused my knees to bend lower. I hoped like mad the dust was making me just a tiny bit closer to invisible. The animalistic rasping betrayed the presence of something behind me.

Slowly, slowly my head turned. More ceiling fragments fell down, but mixed with that was the sing-song giggle of a little girl. I spun, and at my feet was Alison. She let out a whimper, as the child I heard sat beside her, dabbing her fingertips with blood from Alison's throat. She then folded open a coloring book, scrawling the blood from her fingers within the flowers illustrated. Also, the child's mouth and chin were caked with blood.

She asked me to help her color the roses. They were always best when they were red.

I knelt down, reaching for a white towel lying nearby to compress Alison's wound. The child snarled, with the lines in her face briefly warping into something that didn't even vaguely look human, before reverting to a firm and forceful child’s scowl. I froze, and forced myself to nod in compliance. I reached down, smothering my nausea in my stomach as I allowed a couple rivulets of blood to dab on my fingers.

I brushed my fingers on the page. Alison was going cold.

As the child busied herself with her little tapestry, Alison gestured to her own hand - she held a shard of glass, concealed under her wrist. With the most invisible and static of movement, I slowly took the glass piece while my free hand continued to draw whatever strokes of blood that hadn't dried from my fingers.

I blacked out for a fraction of a second, as I watched the little girl feed off the bite wound from Alison's throat. I leaned back behind the girl, ready to put this crude and ugly implement to work to save my friend. Before I touched it to her throat though, I saw what seemed to be an ethereal circuit running from the girl's head to the night sky, outside the broken window.

I grasped the cord. So the threads hanging from the heads of those women weren’t just a hallucination. The girl's head jerked back, her eyes rolling back in her head. Two needle-like fangs stretched out of her mouth as her guttural deluge of agony rang through the halls. The pure and dainty innocence of this child was erased in the concussive roar of a creature that one could only describe as rabid and not of this planet. She - it was seized in pain, but there was no way I could let it go again. Its feral arms flailed and the skin rushed with blood beneath skin that became less opaque.

I drew the glass across the cord. Like a puppet relinquishing its strings, she crumpled where she sat on the floor.

The skin rapidly turned to cinders, and I pushed the horror and dread of my experience to the back of my mind as I knelt down beside Alison, letting her walk me through the steps on how to treat her wounds. Thankfully there wasn’t much beyond applying some antibacterial ointment and dressing her up with bandages.

She leaned on my shoulder as I guided us down the stairs. We thankfully had no more insanity to encounter, at least while on the premises. We got in her car and drove off to my apartment, where I got her some food to regain her lost iron and let her rest in my bed.

And there I was in my office, making the final touches on my byline with an old analog typewriter, beneath the glow of a few candles I had in my wardrobe. Electricity went out for the block a couple hours prior. I sighed between cupped hands and leaned back in my seat, staring at the ceiling as I sucked my cigarette down to its filter. I went through whatever extra care and steps I could to treat Alison’s injury, but the glow of the cigarette’s cherry reminded me of how the child erupted with cosmic energies, as if a filament had burned itself out within her. Gore and disintegration blossomed in the peripheral vision of my memory, and I tried to pretend the ashes were just dust from the insulation, and my instincts as a journalist fought for but a glimpse as I carefully wrapped my friend’s throat up.

What was even happening to me. I had no time to think about what side of me this crisis was bringing out before I felt a movement in the office doorway. Alison stood there, a calm and pleasing smile on her face, and her lips a more stark crimson than I’d ever seen on her usually peach-hued mouth. Her skin held a serene glow in the candle light, and she asked me to change her bandages. It was but a flicker, but I saw the thread-like cord hanging above her head. It was at this point I dove out the window, landing on the fire escape on the rickety old balcony. I had to run - Alison had been infected.

Central Park was my last place of refuge. I could only hope that running and hiding through the park would buy enough time for daylight’s salvation, just as it was in the movies. I ran for refuge at Belvedere Castle, feeling my extremities start to shut down in the cold. I reached down as I moved, grabbing a bunch of newspapers to wrap around myself for any extra bit of insulation I could manage. I shut out the thoughts that I was going to become one of them, and hobbled my way to the antiquated tower.

4:55. That was what the clock hands read. The daylight would be here very shortly.

The door creaked open before my hand touched it. Alison stepped forth from the pitch darkness, grasping me before I could do anything. Her arms snaked around me, and she trilled in a low voice about how sweet my blood smelled.

I told her she should let me go and hide back inside, and she giggled playfully at the idea. Was she seriously not scared of the sun? It couldn’t be true, but she held my head up to look at the sky. Backlit by flashes of lightning - no, missile fire from both fighter jets and anti-air turrets, there was an unimaginably gargantuan mass of what seemed to be….aquatic muscle? Tendrils flicked out and stabbed down to the ground. The gunfire that erupted was not pointing upwards, but rather level to the ground.

This thing, Alison’s sire, was not of this world. What concern was the sun to this monstrosity, when it drifted through space to visit us?

[thedailyroyal]

September 21, 2021

The Duchess of Cambridge met with two of the Windermere Children about their experience of coming to the Lake District after their time in a concentration camp.

The Duchess of Cambridge also participated in the RAF air cadets training at their training location in the lake district.

[cambridge-sussex]

The Duchess of Cambridge today visited Cumbria and was received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant (Mrs Peter Hensman).   Her Royal Highness, Honorary Air Commandant, Royal Air Force Air Cadets, this afternoon visited North Region Air Cadets at Cathedral Quarry, Ambleside.   The Duchess of Cambridge later spoke to Mr Icek Alterman and Mr. Arek Hersh (”Windermere Children”) on board the Steam Launch OSPREY on Lake Windermere.   Her Royal Highness afterwards spoke to supporters and families who have been supported by the Lake District Holocaust Project, Windermere Jetty Museum, Rayrigg Road, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere.

Court Circular | 21 September, 2021

[bedlamsbard]

Here’s the second part of the accidental roommates AU -- this is one of those times when I say “second” in terms of when I wrote it, not in terms of the internal chronology, because there are probably two or three months between this part and the previous part.  As usual, please remember that this is concept writing and not a titled, polished fic.  (Also IDK if the timeline with Solo matches up but that’s why it’s concept writing, so I don’t have to do math.)

About 4.9K below the break.  Please remember that I don’t warn.

“Hera, I am very disappointed in you.”

Hera did her best not to flinch at the words, sitting with her back poker-straight and her hands folded in her lap.  When Agent Beneke didn’t go on, she said, trying not to let her voice shake, “It isn’t against regulations.”

Her handler regarded her grimly, his mouth set in a moue of disgust and distaste. “I was starting to believe you were less of a slut than other members of your species, Hera.”

This time Hera did flinch. She didn’t trust herself to say anything, so she just sat there, her hands fisted so tightly that her knuckles ached.

Beneked waited for her to reply; when she didn’t, he went on, “No, it isn’t against regulations, but that’s only because the Inquisition is outside the scope of the rest of the Imperial service.  The true Imperial service, not the Emperor’s –”  He hesitated over the words, then finished, “– attack dogs.”

He let the words hang in the air.

Hera said in a whisper, “I’m not a slut.”

He ignored that.  “Of course, I understand that some allowances must be made for your species, but surely, Hera, there were other alternatives. The Lake House – well, I suppose you might have a taste for humans.  Agent Melplith –”

“He wanted to rape me.”

“You misunderstood, Hera –”

“He wanted to rape me,” Hera spat, feeling heat gather in her cheeks. “I might be a Twi’lek, but I’m not stupid.”

Agent Beneke raised his eyebrows in response to that, clearly suggesting that at the moment the matter was up for debate.  He let Hera’s words hang in the air between them for long enough that Hera felt her lekku twitch before he said, “But you were already fucking another man.”

Hera set her jaw and didn’t correct him, since it wasn’t any of his business when she and Kanan had started sleeping together, especially not when she had relied on that illusion to keep Agent Melplith away from her.  All she wanted was to be out of this room and back in Kanan’s, with a door that locked and which not even Beneke would dare to come into.  “It’s not against regs,” she repeated stubbornly. “And my grades haven’t dropped.”

“For now.”  His voice was cool.  “I’ll be contacting the Inquisition, Hera.”

She forced herself not to react, though she guessed that Beneke saw her flinch anyway.  She doubted that he was aware that Kanan was terrified of the rest of the Inquisition.  And even if he was aware – she knew as well as he did that they wouldn’t let Kanan keep a mistress.

“We have an offworld assignment in the morning,” she said, keeping her voice as calm as she could manage despite the fact that she felt like bursting into tears. “May I go, please?”

“Back to him.”  It wasn’t a question.

Hera raised her gaze to him and couldn’t keep the acid out of her voice. “That’s where my things are.”

“You’ve disgraced yourself, Hera,” Agent Beneke said coldly. “Yourself, and me.  I vouched for you to come to the Academy, you know, and you are on the verge of throwing it all away.  You should be ashamed of yourself.”

“May I be excused, please?” Hera said again.

“You may go,” Agent Beneke said, “but after you get back from Garel tomorrow, I’ll see this ended one way or another.  Do you understand, Hera?”

“Yes, sir,” Hera said.

His voice went gentle. “It’s for your own good, Hera.  You don’t understand the danger you’ve put yourself in with this Inquisitor. They’re not like the rest of us. He’s barely human anymore.”

Hera didn’t say anything, and after a moment, Agent Beneke said, “You’re dismissed, Hera.  Good luck on your operation tomorrow.”

“Thank you, sir,” Hera said, and fled the room, trying not to make it too obvious that running away was what she was doing.  She made it all the way back to the officers’ guest quarters without collapsing, ignoring the other officers and cadets she passed along the way.  She opened the door to find Kanan inside, sitting cross-legged on the bed and frowning at a datapad.  He smiled as she came in, lifting his gaze to her – that sweet smile that was just for her, which transformed his handsome, scarred face into something else entirely.

The smile fell away as he saw her expression, and he said, “What’s wrong?”

She took a stumbling step into the room, enough for the door to slide shut behind her.  She didn’t remember falling into Kanan’s arms, but she must have, because the next thing she knew he was holding her as she wept into his shoulder, her whole body shaking with the force of her sobs.  He held her close, rubbing her back with one hand, until Hera’s tears finally trailed off into gasping hiccups.

They were both sitting on the floor, Kanan with his back against the bed and Hera kneeling between his legs.  He still had his arms around her, holding her protectively against him, but he loosened his grip as Hera sat up, wiping at her eyes.

“What happened?” he asked her gently. “Are you hurt?”

“I’m not hurt,” Hera said. She felt dull, wrung out and scraped thin.  “Agent Beneke – my handler – he just got back.  And he heard about us.”

She was surprised, in a way, that someone hadn’t contacted him already, but presumably the same fear of the Inquisition that had kept anyone here from actually confronting them about it had kept anyone from bringing it to Agent Beneke’s attention.

“What happened?” Kanan’s voice was still impossibly gentle, and Hera couldn’t imagine how Beneke could accuse him of being something other than kind.

Hera shook her head and curled back up into his arms, hiding her face against his chest.  I want to go, she thought suddenly. I don’t want to be here anymore.

“We’ve got an op tomorrow,” she said eventually, her voice raw from crying. “We should sleep.”

“Okay,” Kanan said mildly. He ducked his head and kissed her very gently on the mouth, his lips brushing over hers.  Hera put her arms around his neck to hold him against her, unable to bear the idea of never seeing him again.

We could leave.  We could just leave.  I want to leave.

But she didn’t dare say the words out loud, not in the heart of the ISB itself, and the fact that she genuinely didn’t know what Kanan would say to it kept her from even whispering it in his ear.  He was terrified of the Inquisition – far more afraid of them than Hera was of the ISB.

“I love you,” she said against his mouth.

“I love you too.”  He kissed her again.  “It will be all right, I promise.”

Hera shook her head, but didn’t say anything, just curled up in the warm circle of his arms.  She couldn’t imagine it ever being all right.

*

Once the idea had come into her head, Hera couldn’t seem to get it out.  She turned it over and over in her mind the entire way to Garel, sitting in the back of a commuter shuttle with Kanan next to her, his arm comfortably around her shoulders like they were an ordinary couple.  She didn’t dare voice it to Kanan no matter how badly she needed to talk about it with him; there was no way that the shuttle wasn’t bugged, either by the company that operated it or by the ISB.  After what Agent Beneke had said, Hera didn’t trust the ISB not to have them surveilled at every opportunity.  The only place she knew they wouldn’t be watched was in the club itself.

She took Kanan’s hand as they left the shuttle, making their way through the corridors of the spaceport before they finally emerged into the city streets.  He bent his head to hers like any other young lover’s, brushing a kiss over her lips that made Hera shiver, self-conscious in public despite the fact that no one here had any idea who they were.  It wasn’t quite full dark yet, the planet cast in purple twilight as they wandered idly through the tourist district of the city, cutting a slow, meandering path towards the club.  Garel had a thriving nightlife, both licit and otherwise, and after months of barely leaving the Imperial Complex except to go on training missions it was enchanting to see something so different.  Species from all across the galaxy congregated on the world; Hera’s green skin and lekku didn’t warrant a second look from anymore, no more than Kanan’s handsome human features did.  She spotted enough other Twi’leks on the street to guess that there was probably an enclave somewhere in the city – no surprise there, though it hadn’t been in their brief.

Kanan stopped at a food stall to buy her a waffle dusted with meiloorun sugar and himself one with syrup.  They stood in the shelter of a street lamp to eat them, Hera trying determinedly not to get powdered sugar all down her front and mostly succeeding.  Kanan licked his fingers clean of syrup and then grinned comfortably at her.  He looked happier in civilian clothes than Hera had ever seen him before – or at least, outside of their bed – with the comfortable ease of someone who had never been near an Imperial uniform in his life.

Hera leaned up and touched her lips to his.  Run away with me, she almost said.  Let’s just go, let’s leave now.  But she didn’t dare do it, not now, not when any of the beings around them could have been watching them, listening in, evaluating them for the ISB and the Inquisition. Instead, she just said, “I love you.”

Kanan kissed her back. “It will be all right,” he told her.

You don’t know that.  Hera just kissed him again, the napkins she had been using for the waffle balled up in one fist as she put her arms around his neck.  She still felt exhausted and wrung out after the confrontation with Agent Beneke, the hours she had spent crying in Kanan’s arms pricking weariness at the corners of her eyes.

Kanan wrapped his arms around her.  “Are you all right?” he asked softly.

Hera shook her head. “Let’s do this,” she told him.  Once they were in the club, she could be certain they weren’t being bugged – not by the Empire, anyway.  They just had to get that far.

“Okay.”  He kissed her again, then took the dirty napkins from her and stepped aside to toss them in a waste bin.  Hera took his hand again as they made their way to the club, which was garishly lit up even from the outside, a quickly-moving line formed at the door.  Hera and Kanan joined the queue and were inside a few moments later, feeling a low faint hum as they descended the staircase into the club’s open lower level. She flicked a startled glance upwards, spotting the jamming equipment in the ceiling, and felt her shoulders relax for the first time that day.

Kanan noticed, but didn’t say anything, just squeezed her hand.

The sound of the club, the number of people packed into the space, was oppressive.  It made Hera wince, her fingers tightening on Kanan’s hand until she was certain it had to hurt.

“Our guy’s not going to be out here on the floor,” he said, bending his head to her ear and keeping his voice low.  “They must have more rooms –”

Hera nodded to the curtained areas off the main space.  She guessed that some of them were probably no more than nooks for couples to retire to, but others were likely to be more substantial rooms for rent, or corridors leading to them, since curtains weren’t much for privacy.

She and Kanan made their way to the edge of the room, wandering along the walls with the air of a couple looking for somewhere to make out.  Several of the curtained nooks were clearly occupied by two or more beings; another turned out to be a hallway leading to the kitchens and another to the refreshers.  They stumbled into a third hallway with the careless ease of drunk lovers, Kanan pressing Hera against the wall as he kissed her, one hand toying with the hem of her shirt.

“Tease,” Hera gasped, only half-joking, and felt Kanan grin against her mouth.  He drew back a moment later, glancing around the corridor before he tilted his head slightly, his eyes slanting half-shut.

“I think we’re in the right spot,” he said.

Hera didn’t ask how he knew, just followed him as he moved cautiously down the corridor.  She knew he had his lightsaber hidden somewhere on his person; she had a comlink but no blaster.  If they were caught, their only two options were talking fast or Kanan killing everyone.

Kanan paused at a curve in the corridor after a few minutes of walking.  Hera peered around the curve, taking in the sight of the six beings standing outside another curtained entryway.  Two were Twi’leks, two Pykes, and two Falleens.  Definitely the right place, Hera thought; that was the Pyke Syndicate and the Black Sun, and the Twi’leks could have been from any number of cartels.  She started to draw back, then froze as one of the Twi’leks shifted position so that she could see his face clearly.

She grabbed Kanan’s hand, dragging him back down the corridor until they were near the floor again. She could feel as much as hear the roar of the crowd and the throbbing beat of the music beyond the thick curtain; the idea of going out there was unbearable.

“What is it?” Kanan demanded. “What’s wrong?”

“Do you want to leave?” Hera blurted out, her voice shaky. “With me?  Leave the Empire, I mean.”

“Who was that?” Kanan asked her. “You saw someone you knew?”

“Will you?” Hera asked him desperately.

He hesitated briefly, then nodded.

“I think my father’s in there,” Hera whispered.

Kanan’s eyes went wide. “What? I – your father?”

“I recognized one of the Twi’leks outside,” Hera said shakily.  She was barely aware of anything except white noise, turning this over and over again in her mind.  Her father was there; she could go home.  Hera hadn’t thought seriously about that in years, hadn’t thought she still wanted it, but now that the thought was lodged in her head it was the only thing she could think of.  “I need to get a message to him, but I can’t just walk up to them –”

“Get one of the waitresses to do it,” Kanan said promptly.  He ducked his head and kissed her.  “Come on.  Let’s go find one.”

*

This is a waste of time, Cham Syndulla thought wearily, but didn’t let it show on his face.  He had the money to outbid the Pykes and the Black Sun, but there was no reason to believe that Free Ryloth might not need those credits more in the future than they needed the weapons for sale now.  And even after all these years part of him still chapped at the fact that he had to sit at the same table as criminal scum like the cartels.  He doubted that they cared, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that the Pyke and Black Sun representatives looked equally smug that a scion of Ryloth had been brought down to their level.  The Crimson Dawn dealer, a scarred human named Vos, had said as much in so smooth a way that the cartel members hadn’t even realized Cham was being insulted.

They all looked up as the curtain was swept back and Gobi stepped into the room. “My apologies for the interruption,” he said. “I have an urgent message for my master and mistress that cannot wait – a family matter.”

“I would never stand in the way of family,” Vos said smoothly. “Please, Syndulla, go – will you be returning to us?”

“Perhaps another occasion.” Cham rose to his feet, offering Alecto his hand. “I am sure we will have another opportunity to do business together.”

“Certainly something can be arranged,” Vos said. “My lady.”

Alecto inclined her head slightly in acknowledgment, but didn’t speak.  She and Cham left Vos and the cartel members to return to their bidding war, joining Gobi and Jaq in the corridor.  The Pyke and Black Sun soldiers regarded their appearance with curiosity.  One of the club waitresses was standing nearby with Jaq, a beautiful Pantoran girl in a skimpy outfit.  She started to speak, but Cham held up his hand until they had gone down the corridor somewhat, around the curve in the hallway and out of sight of the cartel soldiers.

“You’re Syndulla?” she asked.

“I am,” Cham said.  He blinked at her in surprise; his assumption when Gobi had said “family” had been that something had happened back at the fleet with Doriah or Xiaan.  “You have a message for me?”

“There’s a girl in the club who wants to see you,” the Pantoran said. “She said to tell you that she’s from the house with seven fountains.”

Alecto grabbed for Cham’s hand, her nails digging into his bare skin. “Where?” she demanded. “Where is she?”

“In one of the private rooms.”  The Pantoran looked inquisitively at them without moving.

Cham produced a twenty-credit chip without having to be prompted further; it disappeared into the girl’s bustier and she led them out of the corridor and onto the crowded floor of the club, skirting the walls and passing several curtained entrances before she came to a stop outside one of them.  “They’re in here,” she said.

“Stay here,” Cham said to Gobi and Jaq, and thrust the curtain aside to step into the chamber beyond, Alecto just behind him.

*

Hera couldn’t sit. She just paced back and forth across the small room while Kanan watched her from his position on the loveseat, legs crossed tailor-style in front of him. “It will be all right,” he told her.

Hera didn’t respond, just bit her knuckle and tried not to let her wild hope overwhelm her.  If the man the ISB had sent them after came in here instead of her father – or if the Empire – if this was a trick, a trap, another loyalty test and one she had failed –

Kanan raised his head suddenly.  When Hera jerked around to stare at him, he said, “There’s someone –”

The curtain was swept aside before he could finish, admitting a tall, orange-skinned Twi’lek man.

Hera didn’t think, just gasped, “Daddy!” and flung herself into his arms.  An instant later another pair of arms went around her, her mother holding onto her with desperate strength as she whispered, “My baby, my baby –”

Hera started to cry.

She hadn’t thought that she would, but once she started she couldn’t seem to stop, sobbing against her father’s shoulder as he held her tightly.  Her mother kissed her frantically and Hera managed to transfer her death grip from her father to her mother, clutching at her like the child she hadn’t been in years.  Her father put his arms around them both, his lips moving in something that Hera recognized as a prayer of thanksgiving.

An instant later he spotted Kanan, still seated on the loveseat, and drew back sharply, his hand going to the empty holster on his hip.

“He’s with me,” Hera said hastily, pulling herself out of her mother’s tight grip.  “Daddy, Mama, Kanan.  Kanan, these are – these are my parents, Cham and Alecto Syndulla.”

Kanan blinked once, recognizing at least one of the names, but unfolded himself as he stood up, keeping his hands in plain sight.  “Sir,” he said. “Ma’am.”  He hesitated and then added, “You knew one of my former teachers, General Syndulla. Master Windu always spoke very highly of you.”

Cham frowned at him, clearly startled, then his eyes widened with realization.  “You’re –”

Hera didn’t even see Kanan move, but all at once his lightsaber hilt was in his hand where Cham could see it.  Her father’s jaw dropped even as Kanan made the lightsaber vanish again.

Hera was staring too, because while she had guessed that particular secret from a few hints Kanan had dropped over the past months, she had never expected him to actually admit it. From his nervous expression, Kanan hadn’t expected to ever do so either.

“I – see,” Cham said after a moment where he just stared wide-eyed at Kanan.  He glanced at Hera, visibly realized what their relationship was, and swallowed back whatever automatic protest he had to that.

Her mother put her arm around Hera again like she couldn’t bear to not be touching her for even a few moments.  “We’re going back to the fleet,” she said. “You and your friend –”

Hera bit her lip, but nodded. “The – the Empire is watching the club,” she said. “I know there’s another – a team inside, maybe more than one.”

Her father caught the slip but didn’t ask about it, just frowned in thought, then turned to pull the curtain back.  “Gobi,” he said, “go find Vos’s second.  Tell her that they should be on the lookout for Imperial visitors, then meet us outside. I assume Vos has some kind of plan for that contingency.”

“Yes, Syndulla.”

Hera heard footsteps moving hastily away.  Cham said, “We’ll go out the back, the way we came in.”

Kanan flicked a glance at Hera.  She nodded slightly in response; she hadn’t meant to do this when she came in here, but it was happening now.  And Hera – there were a lot of things Hera had wanted for years and had given up hope of ever getting again.  Her family was one of them.

“They might be watching the back,” Kanan offered slowly.

It was a training mission, not a full assault, meant to be observation-only and with relatively little risk for several pairs of cadets.  Hera and Kanan hadn’t been briefed on how many other pairs were assigned to this operation, but she suspected that given the notoriety of Crimson Dawn she and Kanan weren’t the only ones in here.  She had been too overwhelmed on the club floor to look for any of the others.

“I don’t think so,” Hera said, equally hesitant.  It was possible, but because this was only a training mission, meant to test their cadets in the field without supervision, the ISB wasn’t likely to waste agents on something like that.  And none of the cadets she knew were likely to waste time camping out in the back of the club hoping something interesting happened there, rather than coming inside and seeking it out on their own.

“Can you sense them?” her father asked Kanan.

He looked startled to be asked, but shook his head.  “Too many people in here.”

“Then we’ll go now,” Cham said firmly.  He pushed the curtain aside and stepped out, revealing a vaguely familiar Twi’lek woman whose name Hera couldn’t remember off the top of her head.  The woman’s eyes widened as she recognized Hera. “We’re going,” Cham told her. “Hera, you remember Jaq?”

Hera absolutely did not remember Jaq, but she had to be either a Syndulla clanswoman or from her father’s old Clone Wars resistance group.

Hera’s mother put an arm around her, like she couldn’t bear not to be touching Hera even for a few moments. She held Hera close against her as they made their way across the club floor, which made walking a little difficult in the crowded space, but Hera wasn’t about to try to make her mother release her.  She looked back several times to make certain that Kanan was following, which he was. Jaq was trailing him, with an expression on her face that made Hera think the older woman wasn’t certain about Kanan’s ability to either stay with the group or take care of himself.

Hera should have been trying to spot the other ISB cadets that she was certain were here, but there were too many people in the club and she didn’t want to let go of her mother, so she let it be. There was nothing she could do about it now, anyway.  The realization was something of a relief.

What she did see were several of the club’s black-helmeted guards standing unobtrusively at the edges of the room, especially as they slipped out into a hallway she and Kanan had passed before.  One of them watched them leave, but didn’t make any attempt to stop them.  Still, Hera found herself holding her breath until they finally left the club and stepped abruptly into the cool dark of a back alley.

Gobi was waiting there for them, along with another one of the guards; this one had the visor of his helmet retracted, revealing monkey-like features.  Both were regarding each other grimly, but looked up as Cham emerged.  The guard waited for them all to emerge from the club, gave Kanan as the one human in the group a dubious look, and said, “The boss says your assistance is appreciated, and he hopes to do business again with you sometime.”

“Likewise,” Cham said, his voice carefully neutral.  He accepted the blaster the guard handed him and holstered it, then took two more blasters to pass back to Alecto and Jaq.  “Tell your boss I’ll be in touch.”

The guard nodded.  His visor slid back into place again, concealing his face.  When he spoke again, his voice came out with a slight metallic quality, “The landing bay has been notified that you’re on your way.”

“Thank you.”  Cham glanced at Hera as though to make sure she hadn’t gone anywhere in the past few minutes, then led the way down the alley.

The private landing bay was only a street away from the club, with a few more of the helmeted guards tucked discreetly just inside the doors, which Cham opened with a keycard. There weren’t individual bays inside, just docking slots.  Hera spotted what were probably the Pyke and Black Sun ships in two of them, along with a sleek shuttle that she suspected probably belonged to Dryden Vos himself. The Syndulla’s Gamble was docked in another slot.

Hera couldn’t help her sharp inhalation.  She had grown up with the Gamble, had expected to pilot it someday; it was a shock to see here and now, as if nothing had changed since the last time she had seen it four years ago.

“We’re almost there, baby,” her mother murmured to her. “We’ll be home soon.”

There were a couple of Twi’leks standing at the foot of the ramp, holding blaster rifles and eyeing the Pyke and Black Sun guards with suspicion; they were being eyed back in turn.  One of them, Hera realized, was her aunt Clotho; she didn’t recognize the other.

Kanan touched her elbow suddenly, and Hera jumped.  Her mother shot a wary glance at him, then at the expression on his face released Hera and stepped a little ways away.

“Don’t,” Hera told him. “Don’t you dare.  You already said you would.”

“My master –”

“I know you don’t want to go back to him.  I know you’re afraid of him.”

Kanan glanced aside, and even in the cool lights of the hangar bay Hera could see the faint scars on his face and neck, at the edge of his hairline.  She took his hands in hers and said, “Don’t leave me alone. Please.”

“You’re with your family.”

“I want you too,” Hera said. “I love you.”

He smiled a little. “I’m not afraid of him for me,” he said. “He’ll knock me around.  He’s done that before.  But if I leave, he’ll come after me, and he’ll kill everyone between us to do it.  That puts you and your family at risk.”

“I think my family’s been at risk for a while now,” Hera pointed out. “And I don’t want you to get hurt either.”  She leaned up and kissed him.  “Also, since we’re in a crime lord’s secret hangar bay, I don’t think they can actually let you leave without shooting you first.”

Kanan smiled a little, but kissed her back. “I can deal with a couple of enforcers,” he pointed out. “But my master –”  He stopped again, agony on his face.

“Please,” Hera said again.

After a terrifyingly long moment he nodded.  Hera kissed him again and then put her arms around him, holding him against her as he buried his face in her neck.  She was fighting back her surge of adrenaline with effort, trying not to let herself be angry at him.  He was frightened.  It wasn’t fair to expect him to be anything otherwise, not after what his master had done to him.

“Hera,” her father said quietly.

She released Kanan so that she could look at him.  He was standing a little ways away, regarding them both thoughtfully, and Hera realized that she had no idea how much of the conversation he had overheard.  But all he said was, “We need to leave.”

Hera took a breath. “All right,” she said.  She reached out for Kanan’s hand, resisted the urge to look behind her – there was nothing to see except the Crimson Dawn enforcers, anyway – and followed her parents towards the Syndulla’s Gamble.

[mostly-history]

Joyce Secciani, a WASP pilot from 1943 to 1944 (USA).

Information on Secciani (x):

Joyce had always wanted to fly - probably from the day she was born, which was December, 1921, in San Diego, California, where she lives today. She spent all of her school years in El Centro and upon graduating from high school, signed up for the government sponsored Civil Pilot Training program at Central Junior College.

Joyce was really serious about flying. She sold her horse and stopped studying piano so she could devote all her energies to flying. After getting her private license, she joined a flying club with 10 members and shared a 65 h.p Interstate plane. After the attack at Pearl Harbor, private flying was not allowed within 200 miles of the U.S. coast. So, with the wings removed and secured along side the fuselage, Joyce helped another member of the club transport the plane on a trailer to Arizona.

As soon as she heard about Jacqueline Cochran's program she applied in January, 1943, and headed for Houston, Texas where the training program began. There Joyce joined Lois Brooks, Lois Hollingsworth, Betty Deuser, Emma Coulter, Mabel Rawlinson, Marcia Courtney, Florence Knight and others in class 43-3. There were no military quarters, so they lived in a motor court or what is called a motel today. On May 16, 1943, the trainees flew all the planes from Houston to Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Texas. They joined the rest of class 43-4, which had replaced the last of the male cadets.

After graduating in July, 1943, Joyce and several classmates were sent to New Castle Army Air Base, Wilmington, Delaware. They were not there long enough to start flying when the received orders to report to General Hap Arnold's office in Washington, D.C. After a few days of orientation and training, the group was reassigned to Camp Davis (now Fort Davis) as part of the Tow Target Squadron near Wilmington, N.C. They trained and towed targets in front of the firing line for anti-aircraft guns to shoot at. They also flew tracking missions at night so the artillery could practice spotting planes with searchlights.

Unfortunately, classmate Mabel Rawlinson was killed when the engine failed in her Douglas A-24 and she crashed in the woods. Just two days later, Joyce also had engine failure in an A-24. According to the Army accident report, Joyce and the instructor managed a belly landing, the engine was detached from the rest of the plane, the plane caught fire after stopping, and both Joyce and her instructor suffered minor injuries but no burns.

In January, 1944, Joyce, Marcia and several others were transferred to Liberty Field, Camp Stewart, Hinesville, Georgia, where they trained and flew missions with radio controlled targets. The targets were modified Culver Kaydets, PQ-8's and PQ14's, which were controlled from the copilot seat of a UC-78 or AT-11. They also flew administrative flights taking personnel or equipment from one base to another.

In April, the Lois's, Betty, and Emma, were ordered to Biggs AAF in El Paso, Texas, while Joyce, Florence Knight, Mary Nelson, Gertrude Brown, Dorothea Shultz were assigned to March Army Air Base in Riverside, California. At March, there were about 40 WASP pilots in the Tow Target Squadron. They supported artillery training and radio controlled target planes at several California locations. Most were at Camp Irwin (now Fort Irwin) where they flew off a dry lake bed called Bicycle Lake. Other flights were from a field in Van Nuys where Joyce flew 100 miles out to sea to support RADAR tracking missions. While flying in southern California, Joyce also checked out in a P-63 King Cobra. It was then that she met SSgt. Mario Secciani, who maintained these and other fighter planes. As a fighter, the P-63 was a single seater, so after studying the aircraft manual and getting some advice, Joyce took off on her own and had the thrill of flying that beautiful aircraft.

During the month of June, Joyce attended Army Airforce School of Applied Tactics in Orlando, Florida. Unfortunately, there was no flying involved.

After the WASP were disbanded on December 20, 1944, Joyce was sad to leave, but proud to have served with this great group of women pilots. In memory of this service, she designed and carved from wood a small statue of a WASP returning from her last long mission. She was in her flight suit with goggles, map in hand, and a parachute slung over here shoulder. The pedestal bore the inscription "Mission Completed". Later in life Joyce learned how to cast bronze copies of the carving.

Meanwhile, Joyce got her civilian pilot ratings for single and multi-engine planes, and for commercial and instrument flying. In 1945, she and Mario got married and she found a job with Flabob Flying Service at a small airport in Riverside where she flew charter flights, checked out returning military pilots transitioning from fighters and bombers to the light civilian planes, and helped out in the office and hanger.

Soon Mario was discharged and they moved to Chicago for a short time. But with so many military pilots returning to civilian life, she found that flying jobs were hard to come by. After five years, they returned to California and settled in El Cajon, near San Diego, where they built a house and raised two children, Lynn and Lee.

When the kids started school, Joyce went to work as secretary to the principal for the school district. It was great having the same schedule as Lynn and Lee.

Since then, she has been active in promoting the WASP story. She helped set up the WASP exhibit at the San Diego Aerospace Museum, which was gutted by fire at one point. The museum moved to a new location and a new display was installed. In 1992 she supported an oral history of the WASP by Gail Gutierrez for California State University in Fullerton. Now, May, 2003, she enjoys retirement with Mario, Lynn and Lee, the 5 grandchildren, her garden and her bicycle.

[usnewsrank]

Action Kate abseils down cliff in high-octane trip to the Lake District

Action Kate abseils down cliff in high-octane trip to the Lake District

It was a high-octane visit to the Lake District for Kate (Picture: PA) The Duchess of Cambridge braved new heights as she tried abseiling during a visit to the Lake District. Kate, 39, took the plunge in Little Langdale, Cumbria, after mountain biking with a group of air cadets today. Itelouwa Odipe, 13, from Lancaster, spoke to the duchess as they waited to abseil down the cliff. He said: ‘I was…

[born2battle]

My Final Innings as DDG NCC Directorate, Gujarat

      We reached Ahmedabad in the beginning of Aug 2004, after my professionally enriching  tenure in Army HQ. It was once again a privilege when we moved directly into a spacious Bungalow, designated as the “NCC House”, located within the Ahmedabad Cantonment. Next day, I was welcomed by an impressive Guard of Honour, presented by the NCC Cadets at HQ NCC Directorate office complex. Thereafter, I was introduced to all my Staff Officers & the Group Commanders. It was followed by briefings about the scope of various training activities and Camps, conducted as well as planned  by all the Group HQ & Units, across the entire State of Gujarat and the Union Territory of Diu & Daman. NCC Units were located in all the Districts and  functioned under their respective Group HQ, located at Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Vallabh Vidya Nagar ( near Anand ) and Rajkot. NCC coverage extended to 250 Colleges & 350 Schools. The total strength of Cadets was 53,000 which included both Senior Division ( College students)  & Junior Division ( School students ). The Cadets were further grouped into Army/Naval/Air Wing.

      In the very first week, I completed my familiarisation visits to all the Group HQ & the locations where Camps were already in progress.  I availed this opportunity to meet all the training staff which was organised into three tiers ----  Officers from all the three Services,  Associate NCC Officers ( ANOs ) from the Colleges & Schools  & the Permanent Instructional Staff ( PI Staff ) comprising JCOs and NCOs from the three Services. These visits gave me an overview of the magnitude of the challenges for “Grooming Tomorrow’s Leaders”, in accordance with the vision of the NCC. I visualised the intricacies of planning and execution of this unique training of NCC Cadets, as per  the structured syllabus. Training  was to be conducted utilising the existing  infrastructure  and the  authorisation of resources such as vehicles, clothing & equipment, the weapons & ammunition;  specific for each of the three Wings of NCC. I was briefed about the system of funding various activities and the budgetary allocations by the Directorate General NCC ( DGNCC )  and the Govt of Gujarat. It entailed efficient financial management.

     It was a pleasant surprise when I was among the dignitaries to be invited to a special function at Raj Bhawan on the occasion of the Independance Day. It was perhaps destined that during this function, I got the opportunity to have my first interaction with Shri Narendra Modi, the Honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat. He congratulated my selection for shouldering this new responsibility and desired that the momentum of NCC must continue to be maintained,  with a focus towards it’s motto ---- “Unity and Discipline”. He was nostalgic when he narrated  his own experiences as a NCC Cadet in his younger days. He further expressed his views about the concept of  compulsory NCC training. I was then introduced to Smt  Anandiben Patel, the Honourable Education Minister, who assured all the requisite  support for the NCC activities in Gujarat. Both these interactions triggered a thought of planning an adventure activity, which would motivate the NCC Cadets professionally. I conducted a brain storming session with my Group Commanders to suggest viable options. It took us about a week to finalise  a proposal for a Vehicle Expedition upto Siachen Base Camp. This proposal was immediately sent both to the DGNCC & the Govt of Gujarat for approval. The  Expedition was assigned the name ----- PURUSHARTH. 

      We began the preparations for this novel adventure on top priority. The selection of the Cadets and other participants was completed through a process of competition between several Cadets from the Senior Division of all the Groups. Simultaneously, M/s Reliance Industries & M/s  Mahindra & Mahindra volunteered to assist the Expedition by providing two Scorpio & three Bolero vehicles respectively.  Meanwhile, approval was received for launching the Expedition. Finally, the Team was announced consisting of Group Commander Ahmedabad Group, three officers including two ANOs, four JCOs / NCOs and five lashkars. In addition, two representatives from the TV Channel “Aaj Tak” expressed their desire to accompany for the media coverage. The  entire Team was issued special clothing & equipment for utilising in high altitude terrain. We organised rigorous practice of long distance driving and endurance  before the launch. The Expedition was flagged off from Ahmedabad by Shri Narendra Modi, the Honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat on 26 Sep 2004. He specially expressed his gratitude about all  the assistance provided by the NCC Cadets after the earthquake in Bhuj in Jan 2001.  

       The route for the Expedition was planned to cover approx 6000 kms  in 17 days and the time plot was intimated to all the NCC Directorates enroute to facilitate logistic support. It was a different experience, with different challenges, in different environment during  each phase of the arduous journey. The most challenging  phases were the journey from Manali to Leh crossing the Rohtang Pass at 15,000 ft and the final leg from Leh to Siachen Base Camp across the famous Khardungla Pass at 18,300 ft.  The Team witnessed a very impressive training demonstration at the Siachen Battle School,  inspite of  the adverse weather conditions and the effects of high altitude terrain. Personally, it was a trip down memory lane since I returned  to this prestigious location for the third successive year. 

       We set course on our return journey to Leh where we had a night halt. Next day was spent in local sightseeing and visit to the famous Pangong Tso Lake. We then proceeded to Drass via Kargil. Briefing cum Presentation about the Kargil War was conducted at Drass, which refreshed the memories of all the valiant battles won by our Units & Formations  in this Sector. Subsequent journey involved crossing the Zojila Pass at 12,000 ft before reaching Srinagar for a night halt. Next day we moved as a part of Army convoy to Jammu, crossing the famous Banihal Tunnel at 9,000 ft. It proved to be an equally fascinating journey. Thereafter, I returned to Ahmedabad  by flight from Jammu.  The Expedition continued the return journey through the plains of Punjab, the deserts of Rajasthan and skirted around the Little Rann of Kutch, encountering yet another set of diverse experiences. Finally, Team PURUSHARTH returned to Ahmedabad on 14 Oct 2004, to a rousing reception after successful accomplishment of their Mission. Incidentally, it coincided with the first day of the most popular festival in Gujarat --- the Navratri festival.

      It was the appropriate festival when our children came over from Pune for spending  their first vacation in the “NCC House”. We participated in the Navratri celebrations in Rajkot  where we witnessed the customs and rituals  followed in Saurashtra region. In Ahmedabad, we began our visits by paying respects at the historic Sabarmati Ashram. In the subsequent days, we visited  Akshar Dham and Kankariya Lake. We visited the National Integration Camp at Anand and  thereafter  availed the  opportunity to witness the processes adopted at AMUL, known for the White Revolution.  Thereafter, we went to Vadodara and visited the magnificent Laxmi Vilas Palace built by Maharaja Gaekwad in 1890. Subsequently, we went to Kevadia and saw the impressive Sardar Sarovar Dam ,which is the second largest concrete dam in the world. As usual, at all these locations, shopping trips were followed up by tasting a variety of Gujarati cuisine. Subsequently, ANA went back to Pune from Vadodara itself, hoping to return whenever feasible.

       On return to Ahmedabad, I focused my attention towards selection of the Contingent for participation in the Republic Day Camp ( RDC ) scheduled  at Delhi in Jan every year. The RDC is the final competition between the Cadets of all the NCC Directorates.  Competitions at the National level were held earlier separately for each Wing,  during Thal Sainik Camp ( TSC ), Nau Sainik Camp ( NSC ) and Vayu Sainik Camp ( VSC ). In order to select the Cadets for the RDC, we conducted inter Group competitions for all the events such as Drill, Firing, Obstacle Course, Camp layout, Flag area, State Presentation & Cultural events. Consequently, the best performers were selected for each event  and coached further by expert instructors. The Contingent left by a reserved compartment, in the direct train from Ahmedabad in the last week of Dec.

     I went to Delhi in the first week of Jan 2005  and witnessed  high standard of competitions between all the NCC Directorates. The Cadets for the Youth Exchange Programs ( YEP ) to foreign countries were also selected during the RDC. Four of our Cadets were selected as members of YEP to Russia, Singapore, Vietnam and Bangladesh. It was a lifetime achievement  for 30 of our Cadets ( SD & SW ) who were selected in the main NCC Contingent for the march past on the Raj Path on 26 Jan. It was a journey down memory lane, when I witnessed once again  the grand  Republic Day Parade.  The Prime Minister’s Rally for the NCC Cadets was  conducted on the next day and  was the culminating event of the RDC. We felt so proud since  our Contingent secured overall Fifth position out of 16 NCC  Directorates. The Contingent returned to Ahmedabad and was given the customary welcome at the Raj Bhawan. The Governor of Gujarat complimented all the Cadets and exhorted them to continue their pursuit of excellence.

     In the next two months, the pace of NCC activities reduced since the Cadets got busy with their  studies prior to the final exams. In this period, myself and all the Group Commanders evolved plans  for improvement in the infrastructure for conduct of Camps and creation of training facilities such as firing ranges, obstacle courses and parade ground for each NCC Unit. The proposals were compiled and the requirement of funds projected both to the DGNCC  and to the State Govt. I assigned the responsibility to each Group HQ  for selection and training of the Contingents for national level competitions and Camps during the next Training Year. All the Group HQ were instructed  to organise special SSB coaching capsules for  the Cadets who were aspiring to join the Armed Forces. Each Group HQ was also  assigned the task of conducting one major event at the national level ---- Trekking expedition/ Sailing expedition/ National Integration Camp/ Advance Leadership Camp. In addition, all the Units were directed to carry out the social activities in their area of jurisdiction. In this context, the assistance rendered by our Cadets in the monsoon season, for flood relief operations in Surat was indeed commendable.

      Routine training of the Cadets of all the three Wings commenced in the  Training Year 2005/06, after the additional enrollment of  Cadets to fill up the vacancies created by the Cadets who had completed their NCC  training. By now, the funds had been sanctioned and  allotted for the new Projects as proposed and the works began at all the locations after the monsoon season. The Camps were organised as per the schedule to prepare the Contingents for TSC/NSC/VSC.  Our next major event was the Narmada Sailing Expedition involving participation by 50  Cadets of the Naval Wing in mid Sep. I accompanied the Cadets during this exciting  adventure,  sailing down the Narmada river, from Garudeshwar to Bhadbhooth, using  Whaler boats &  Power boats. Another major event was the All India Trekking Expedition which was conducted at Sasan Gir.  All the NCC Directorates were represented in this Camp, having a total strength of 1000 Cadets. The Cadets got a chance to visit Somnath Temple, revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. We also organised their visit to Gir Wild life Sanctuary.

      Meanwhile, based on the experience of our Expedition to Siachen Base Camp in the previous year, we evolved a plan for yet another Vehicle Expedition this year, to another challenging destination --- Nathu La  in Sikkim. Our proposal got instant approval and funding , both from the Govt of Gujarat and the DGNCC. The process of selection and training of the Team was repeated. It was a different Team for this adventure activity and consisted of the Group Commander of Ahmedabad Group along with 2 officers, 2 ANOs, 25 SD Cadets & 5 JCOs/ NCOs. The Expedition was planned for a duration of three weeks and was assigned the name ---- SWASTIK. The route was selected through six States and  the NCC Directorates enroute  provided necessary logistic support to facilitate our night halts and maintenance of our convoy consisting seven Scorpio vehicles. The Expedition was flagged off from Ahmedabad on 25 Oct 2005.

       It was really time consuming and strenuous  experience while negotiating  certain stretches in MP and Bihar where road conditions had deteriorated.  However, the journey on the roads in Sikkim was most comfortable, affording scenic views of the Teesta River and the mountainous landscape till Gangtok. As planned, we had a two day halt at Gangtok to enable acclimatisation before proceeding to Nathu La, located at an altitude of 14, 500 ft. It was an exciting feeling for the Cadets  to witness the Chinese posts just across the LAC at Nathu La.  We paid homage at the War Memorial and descended to Chhangu Lake, which was partially frozen. Thereafter, as per the local custom, we paid respects at the Harbhajan Baba Shrine before commencing our return journey to Gangtok. Next day, we left Gangtok before sunrise to visit the sacred Gurudongmar Lake in North Sikkim. It was a spiritual experience to observe the miracle  that  the Lake situated at 17,800 ft was not frozen. 

     We reached Gangtok late at night, fully exhausted but full of lovely memories. Next morning, we set course for Darjeeling for the night  halt. Next morning, we  were lucky to witness  the majestic view of Kanchenjunga at sunrise due to clear visibility. Thereafter, I boarded the flight from Bagdogra and reached Ahmedabad via Kolkata. The Team began it’s return journey via Gaya -- Allahabad -- Gwalior -- Udaipur and finally reached  Ahmedabad on 12 Nov 2005. They felt so proud  with the  grand welcome on completion of their Mission. 

     Meanwhile, selection and preparation for the RDC 2006  was in progress. I proceeded to Pune to avail part of Annual Leave and returned prior to departure of the Contingent for RDC. All the efforts put in systematically by the Team of  Instructors & the enthusiastic Cadets paid dividends, since we improved our performance in the RDC  by securing overall  Third  position among 16 NCC Directorates. This year 12 Cadets were selected for the Youth Exchange Programs. It was a matter of pride for the Contingent, to receive greater appreciation from the Governor of Gujarat,  during the formal ceremony held at the Raj Bhawan on our return. In addition, we received special accolades from the Chief Minister & the Education Minister, who were always a source of motivation and inspiration for all the activities of  the NCC.

      In Feb, we conducted Advance Leadership Camp at Mehsana. It gave the Cadets  an opportunity to visit the renowned Sun Temple at Modhera. The sanctum sanctorium is designed in a manner that on the days of the solar equinox, exactly at sunrise, the rays of the Sun light up the image of Surya. It was  an amazing phenomenon. Another major activity was the National Integration Camp conducted  at Jamnagar in Apr. We organised a visit to the Jamnagar Refinery. Meanwhile, our relatives came over from Aurangabad and we joined them for a visit at  Dwarka & Bet Dwarka. Thereafter, we traveled on the beautiful coastal route via  Porbandar --- Somnath --- Bhavnagar, before returning to Ahmedabad.

     In the next Training Year 2006/07, we introduced  several new activities in the Camps at the Unit / Group level. The emphasis  was on Personality development of the Cadets by enhancing their  communication skills, improving the standards of Drill & Firing and the performance in NCC Certificate Exams. The training of Cadets of Naval Wing & Air Wing was also intensified after  allotment of additional resources. Attachment training for Senior Wing  was also conducted with the Army Units in Bhuj, Jamnagar, Vadodara, Dhrangadhra & Ahmedabad. New enrollment was carried out in various Schools & Colleges, specially in Diu & Daman. We also stressed on improving standards of ship modelling, sailing , rowing, aero modelling & skeet shooting.  As a result of these new initiatives, we  could improve our performance in TSC/NSC/VSC and Mavlankar Shooting Competition.  It also enabled refining the training  for the ultimate Goal --- RDC 2007.

     I went on Annual Leave to Pune in Oct/ Nov and we celebrated  Diwali festival, together as a family after a long time. We returned by mid Nov, before  the NCC Day, which is always scheduled on the fourth Sunday of Nov.  On this occasion,  Shri Narendra Modi, the Honourable Chief Minister accepted our invitation and graced us with his presence. The main highlight was the inauguration of  the NCC Chowk at the entrance of Ahmedabad Group HQ. It was significant that two 25 Pounder Guns of World War vintage were displayed in the centre of the traffic island. Thereafter, the CM  laid the foundation stone for creation of permanent Camping facility, within the premises of Ahmedabad Group HQ, which would facilitate conduct of the major NCC Camps in the future. The entire Project was funded by the Govt of Gujarat. 

         In mid Dec, I was fortunate  to be selected for a special management Course at XLRI, Jamshedpur. It was structured for a duration of six months and was termed “General Management Program”, designed for the officers from the Defence Services, in order to facilitate their transition to the Corporate world. I attended this Course from mid Jan to end of Jun 2007. It was a real challenge for me to grasp the key aspects of all the management subjects at the macro level in such a short duration, from the expert Faculty members at the XLRI. Incidentally, on completion of just one month of the Course, I received intimation from  the Army HQ which specified 30 Sep 2007 as the date of my retirement due to superannuation. Perhaps, it was destined in view of the steep pyramid structure, specially at the higher levels in the Army.  It certainly evoked feelings of nostalgia since my innings as DDG NCC Directorate Gujarat  would end within three months of conclusion of my Course. It  would also signify the end of my memorable journey of four decades in the prestigious Uniform, while keeping the ‘Chetwode Motto’ as a guiding beacon throughout!!

       On conclusion of the last Course in my long career, I returned to the “NCC House”, which was  a real home coming. In the next three months, I reviewed the progress of all the Projects which had been sanctioned and visited all the Units and the Group HQ. I conveyed  my appreciation for the standard of achievement in the wide spectrum of activities conducted by the NCC fraternity in Gujarat. The outstanding contribution by Group Captain Tahlan, Director & all the Group Commanders ( Col Anklesaria, Col Sanjay Kulkarni, Col Easow & Col Shirish Kulkarni ) deserve special praise. In the last week of Sep, I was honoured by a farewell by the Education Minister in her office in Gandhi Nagar. Thereafter,  I had a meeting with Shri Narendra Modi, the Honorable Chief Minister and expressed my gratitude for his benevolence in supporting and encouraging all the activities in the NCC. The final function was the formal dining out party hosted by all the officers & families of the NCC fraternity in Gujarat.  It was an emotional moment for both myself & Sanjivani,  when I was chaired out for the last time, as the “Jolly good fellow”, while the Band played the magical tune --- Auld Lang Syne!! The grand  farewell from my office was organised on 30 Sep 2007. At exactly mid-day, I took the final salute  from the Guard of Honour presented by the NCC Cadets and was escorted till the “NCC House”  in the traditional manner. I still cherish the memories of all the  moments throughout my journey of four decades. However, 30 Sep 2007, will always remain  a moment of transformation, since I became a ‘Veteran’ of the Indian Army!!!

[gert4t4e]

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[princesscatherinemiddleton]

ABSEILING ANGEL | The Princess of Wales abseiling in Wales in 2015, Cumbria in 2021, and Wales in 2023

[biofunmy]

Big snow storm causes travel mayhem in Colorado and Wyoming

A storm dumping heavy snow buried highways in Colorado and Wyoming Tuesday, prompted school closures in Nebraska and forced more than 1,000 people to sleep overnight in Denver’s airport after hundreds of flights were canceled just as the busy Thanksgiving week travel period went into high gear.

That storm was heading toward South Dakota, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin — and another storm in the Pacific Ocean was moving toward California and Nevada, where heavy snow was predicted to start falling in mountainous areas Tuesday night and mountain pass road closures were planned.

At Denver International Airport, about 7 inches (18 centimeters) was on the ground by Tuesday morning with more expected in the afternoon. Windy conditions reduced visibility, prompting the cancellation of about 30 percent of the airport’s average daily 1,600 flights.

About 1,100 travelers spent the night at the airport, including many cadets from the Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs who either missed flights or wanted to get to the airport before road conditions deteriorated, said airport spokeswoman Alex Renteria.

Airport workers handed out blankets, diapers, baby formula, toothbrushes and toothpaste to the airline passengers who camped out for the night on floors and in chairs. Officials said they were hopeful that flight conditions would be back to normal by the afternoon.

More than 2 feet (60 centimeters) of snow had fallen in northern Colorado and about a foot (30 centimeters) fell in southern parts of Wyoming by midmorning — forcing the closures of long stretches of Interstates 70 and 76 in Colorado and Interstate 80 in Wyoming. Parts of I-80 were buried under snow drifts of up to 4 feet (121 centimeters), officials said.

“We are mindful that this is a holiday travel week and we are working as fast and as quickly as possible to reopen the roads, and we will do that once the roads are safe for travelers,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation spokeswoman Aimee Inama.

Many government offices in the Denver area and in Cheyenne, Wyoming closed along with colleges and schools not already on holiday break. In Nebraska, several school districts canceled classes Wednesday and the southwestern city of Sidney had received about 8 inches (20 centimeter) of snow. George Lapaseotes, the city’s airport manager, said he spent much of the morning clearing the runway in case it was needed for medical emergency flights.

Blizzard and wintry weather warnings extended into the Great Lakes states with the storm expected to bring high winds and snow to Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin later Tuesday and a chance of snow over the weekend for parts of New England, said Alex Lamers, a National Weather Service meteorologist.

“That could be a coast-to-coast storm,” he said.

It also could mean disappointment for fans of the larger-than-life balloons flown at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.

Organizers were preparing for the possibility that of grounding the iconic balloon characters because of 40-50 mph (64-81 kph) gusts in the forecast. Rules put in place after several people were injured by a balloon years ago require lower altitudes or full removal if sustained winds exceed 23 mph (37 kph) and gusts exceed 34 mph (54 kph). The decision will be made on parade day.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area could see its biggest November snowfall in nearly a decade, and travel is northwestern Wisconsin “is going to be chaotic,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Brent Hewett.

The Minneapolis airport could be hit by snow but Chicago and its two big airports should only see rain from the storm, weather service officials said.

The second storm developing in the Pacific Ocean was expected to slam the West Coast of the U.S. on Tuesday evening, bringing snow to the mountains of California and Nevada and wind and rain along the coasts of California and Oregon.

Forecasters also warned of “difficult to impossible travel conditions” across much of northern Arizona later this week as that storm dumps about 2 feet (61 centimeters) on areas that include Interstate 40.  The approaching storm accelerated the annual winter closure of the highway leading to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon by five days.

This month, AAA predicted that the number of travelers over a five-day stretch starting Wednesday will be the second-highest, behind only 2005, despite rising costs for a road trip.

At the start of the week, a gallon of regular gas cost $2.59 on average, up 3 cents from a year ago, and rental cars averaged around $75 a day — their highest Thanksgiving price since AAA started keeping track in 1999.

For those flying, the airlines expect traffic to be up about 4% from this time last year. Airlines added about 850 flights and 108,000 seats per day on average to handle the increase over last year’s crowds, according to the trade group Airlines for America.

American Airlines plans to operate 7,046 flights Sunday, just one less than on Aug. 8, its heaviest schedule this year. In all, 22 of American’s 23 busiest days occurred during the summer vacation season, with this Sunday being the only exception.

“Everybody talks about Thanksgiving being a busy travel time, but summer is Thanksgiving week for the entire summer,” said Ross Feinstein, a spokesman for the airline.

———

This version has been corrected to show that average number daily flights at Denver International Airport is 1,600, not 1,500.

———

Koenig reported from Dallas. Associated Press writers Thomas Peipert in Denver, Bob Moen in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Jeff Baenen in Minneapolis and Scott Sonner in Reno, Nevada, contributed to this report.

Sahred From Source link Travel

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[e-swinoujscie]

300 Years of San Antonio

The history of San Antonio is fascinating and complex. Here, we highlight some of the people and developments that have shaped the Alamo City into what it is today

By Jeremy Banas, Cynthia J. Drake, Becca Hensley, Edmond Ortiz, Kathleen Petty, Sarah Stockman and Claire Winesett

Mission San Jose: UTSA General Photograph Collection; Pearl: Courtesy Historic Pearl; Brackenridge: Sean Loyless; Baseball: Courtesy San Antonio Missions; Empire Theatre: Courtesy Majestic & Empire Theatres; Flood: Courtesy San Antonio Conservation Society; Sunshine Cottage: Courtesy School; McNay: Courtesy Museum; Spurs: Courtesy Spurs Sports & Entertainment; Hemisfair: Courtesy Hemisfair Conservancy; Tobin Center: Courtesy Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

1718: The Founding of San Antonio

The city’s official operation begins in May of 1718 with the nearly simultaneous founding of military and mission establishments, according to Bruce Shakelford, one of the primary curators behind the Witte’s tricentennial Confluence and Culture exhibition. On May 1, 1718, the Spanish priest Father Antonio Olivares founds Mission San Antonio de Valero, named after St. Anthony of Padua. A few days later on May 5, San Antonio de Béxar Presidio, a military garrison, is established on the west side of the river. Within a few decades, four additional missions are planted near tribes along the river with the intent of converting indigenous people to Catholicism and Spanish ways of life, says Shakelford. Mission San José is founded in 1720 and Mission Concepción, Mission San Juan Capistrano and Mission San Francisco de la Espada are all established in San Antonio in 1731 after being relocated from other areas. Open plazas, jacal (sturdy houses made of logs, mud and straw) villages, workshops and acequias for irrigation surround the missions’ iconic central churches and allow for life filled with hard work making clothes and other goods, attending to new types of crops in the fields and herding cattle on ranches.

1730s: Spanish Governor’s Palace Established

The first section of the palace, also known as the Comandancia, is constructed in the 1730s by José de Urrutia, captain of the San Antonio de Bexar Presidio. The palace serves as a military outpost, a general store and a private home to another family over the next 100 years and in the 1850s—when City Hall is built nearby—houses a clothing store and other businesses. In 1929, the city purchases the building and it becomes one of San Antonio’s first preservation projects.

1731

Canary Islanders sent by the king of Spain to populate what is then the province of Texas travel to San Antonio de Bexar.

1773

San Antonio de Bexar is named the capital of Spanish Texas.

1793

The Spanish government secularizes San Antonio de Valero, transitioning the mission into a military post.

1813

The city declares for Mexican independence, but is recaptured following the battles of Medina and Alazan Creek.

Trailblazer: Samuel Maverick

A Texan not by birth but one who got here (nearly) as quick as he could, Samuel Maverick was among the two delegates selected to serve in the 1836 Independence Convention. He’d moved to San Antonio just before the Siege of Bexar but left the state again in 1836 to live in Alabama, returning to San Antonio a few years later after the birth of his son (another important San Antonian, Samuel Jr.). Maverick served as mayor and is known now largely because of the term “maverick,” which denotes unbranded calves and later led to the term being used for independent thinkers. It came about after Maverick let his own cattle roam in the 1840s, something uncommon at the time. He also served in the Texas Legislature, where he was known for working to win equal land rights for Mexican and German immigrants.

1835-1836: Battle of Goliad, Siege of Béxar and Battle of the Alamo

The Battle of Goliad, the second battle in the Texas Revolution, results in an early Texas victory when the Texan forces attack the Mexican Army at Presidio La Bahía near Goliad on the morning of Oct. 10, 1835. Samuel McCulloch Jr., a free black soldier, is the only Texan wounded in battle, becoming the first Texan casualty of the revolution. The first major campaign for Texas freedom is ignited during the Siege of Béxar (Oct. 27 – Dec. 9, 1835), which ends in a Texas victory over the Mexican troops. A few months later, the Mexican Army launches a return attack on San Antonio de Valero resulting in the deadly 13-day Battle of the Alamo (Feb. 23 – March 6, 1836). Every defender is killed, and “Remember the Alamo” becomes the rally of the Texan army as they continue to fight—and eventually gain—independence.

1837: San Antonio Named County Seat

In December 1836, Mexican forces leave the soon-to-be-formed Republic of Texas, which organizes Bexar County and, in January 1837, delegates San Antonio as the county seat.

1852: Higher Education Comes to Town

St. Mary’s University (first called St. Mary’s Institute) brings Catholic education, rooted in the Marianist ideals, to San Antonio. But that is just the start of higher education in the Alamo City:

Founded in 1869, Trinity University moves to San Antonio in 1942.

The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word found Incarnate Word College in 1881 for women. Men are first admitted in 1970 and it becomes the University of the Incarnate Word in 1996.

The Sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence open Our Lady of the Lake College in 1895. It becomes Our Lady of the Lake University in 1975.

University of Texas at San Antonio is founded by the Texas Legislature in 1969. The first class (which includes just 1,113 students) begins taking courses in 1973.

The Legislature establishes Texas A&M–San Antonio as its own campus in 2009, fulfilling a vision that began over 10 years earlier.

Southwest School of Art is formed in 1965 at La Villita before moving to its current home in the former Ursuline Convent and Academy in 1971. In 2014, it establishes a bachelor’s of fine arts degree program. The first class will graduate this year.

1855: Brewing Begins in San Antonio

San Antonio’s brewing history begins in 1855 when William Menger and Charles Degen open the Western Brewery, located next to the Alamo. In 1887, the San Antonio Brewing Association (aka Pearl Brewery) begins brewing and—along with the original Lone Star Brewery—ushers in the city’s golden age of beer.

The growth, however, is halted just over three decades later by Prohibition. Only Pearl survives, and it goes on to become the largest brewery in the Southwest. Between 1933 and 1994 San Antonio has just two breweries: Pearl and the second iteration of Lone Star.

In 2001, after 115 years in business, Pearl Brewery closes (Lone Star already had halted production).

The growth of craft beer, though, means Pearl isn’t the end of local beer. Entrepreneurs behind Blue Star, Freetail, Alamo Beer and others have once again made the city a hub for brewing.

1858: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Opens

Though missionaries form the group behind the church in 1850, it isn’t until eight years later that the downtown landmark (designed by Richard Upjohn) opens, according to a book by Lewis F. Fisher. It becomes a community leader in San Antonio and among Episcopalian churches. It’s also the site of future president Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1934 wedding.

1860s​: Chili Queens Introduce New Flavors

The smell of simmering chili, the cacophony of horse-drawn wagons, musicians, a community trading news around giant tables in San Antonio’s plazas—this is the domain of the Chili Queens, San Antonio’s original team of culinary entrepreneurs who help give the city its signature spice. “This is where Tex-Mex starts,” says Amy Fulkerson, chief curator for the Witte Museum. “They were taking things that they might have cooked at home and bringing them to the marketplace—chili con carne, enchiladas—and bringing them to a larger group of people who may not have grown up with that. They really gave it a flavor that was unique to San Antonio and to Texas.”

With the rise of tighter health codes, the Chili Queens fade away by the late 1930s, but many argue their culinary legacy lives on in present day food trucks as well as in the city’s beloved Tex-Mex cuisine.

1876: Construction Begins on Fort Sam Houston

Known as one of the oldest U.S. Army posts, Fort Sam Houston begins with the Quadrangle in 1876. It is expanded between 1885 and 1891 and officially named Fort Sam Houston (for Gen. Sam Houston) in 1890. The base serves an important role in the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Fort Sam Houston is the site of the first solo military flight, leading to the construction of Kelly Field in 1917. The hospital that will become Brooke Army Medical Center opens in 1938. The Aviation Cadet Center is separated from the now-closed Kelly AFB and becomes Lackland Air Force Base, named in 1947 for Brig. Gen. Frank D. Lackland. In 2005, President George W. Bush calls for joint basing, which results in Joint Base San Antonio, made up of Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base and Randolph Air Force Base.

1877: First Passenger Train Arrives

The Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway, the city’s first railroad connection and path for passenger trains, is established. A second railroad is added in 1881 (and three more in the 20 years following), spawning economic growth. By 1900, San Antonio is the largest city in the state with a population of 53,321.

Trailblazer: Artemisia Bowden

Established by St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, the first iteration of St. Philip’s College in 1898 was merely a sewing class. Artemisia Bowden was appointed head of the school in 1902, and by 1926 she had grown it into a private junior college. When the church could no longer support it during the Great Depression, Bowden lobbied the school district, arguing it needed to have a public community college for blacks since there was one for whites. It was incorporated into the public system in 1942. Bowden is listed among the saints of the Episcopal Church.

1869 San Antonio Missions Play Ball

Known initially as the Missionaries, the baseball team moves from Austin in the middle of the 1888 season while a charter member of the Texas League. The team—which has several names before becoming the Missions—face Babe Ruth in 1930. Over the years, its roster includes legends like Brooks Robinson. The team will advance to Triple-A baseball in 2019.

1891: Inaugural Battle of Flowers Parade

Ellen M. Slayden, wife of State Rep. James Slayden, suggests the first Battle of Flowers Parade, modeled after the floral parades of Spain, to recognize the fallen from the Battles of San Jacinto and the Alamo. A storm forces the parade to be moved from April 21 (the anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto) to April 24, but the tradition sticks. The all-female organized parade grows and inspires dozens of other events, what we now recognize as Fiesta San Antonio.

1899: Brackenridge Park Opens

Founder of San Antonio National Bank and president of San Antonio Water Works, George W. Brackenridge had an impact on San Antonio and the state that is far reaching. And while his philanthropic and civic endeavors focused largely on education, his most noticeable gift might be the land on which Brackenridge Park now sits. The land is notable not just for its park, golf course, zoo and Japanese Tea Gardens but also because artifacts have been found there that date as early as 9200 B.C., when indigenous people lived on the land at the headwaters of the river.

Sports First: In 1922, Brackenridge Park Golf Course hosts the first Texas Open (now the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio), which is the third oldest PGA tournament. The event takes place at Brackenridge off and on through 1959.

Trailblazer Clara Driscoll

When Clara Driscoll moved back to Texas after attending school and traveling abroad, she was dismayed to find the Long Barrack next to the Alamo covered with billboards and under consideration to be transformed into a hotel. She partnered with the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) in 1903 to advocate for the preservation of the historic structure and in 1905 covered most of the cost for the DRT to buy the Long Barrack (the state later paid her back).

1914: Empire Theatre Opens

Around 1,800 people crowd in for a Dec. 14 screening of Neptune’s Daughter, the silent film that opens the opulent Renaissance Revival theater. In 1921, over 9 feet of water floods the facility. It reopens after renovation (and then closes in 1978). The original walls are restored before it reopens in 1998, thanks to the Las Casas Foundation and Red and Charline McCombs.

1921: Flood Kills 51

A hurricane that forms in the Gulf of Mexico in early September leads to disaster for San Antonio and other parts of Texas. Though it turns into a tropical storm as it moves inland, over 20 inches of rain hits Williamson County on Sept. 7. It moves to the Alamo City the following day and on Sept. 9 major thunderstorms bring sheets of rain. By Sept. 10, there has been up to 17 inches of rain in the upper Olmos Basin. Flooding in the Olmos Basin creates a surge in the San Antonio River, flooding downtown buildings with up to 12 feet of water and wreaking havoc along the San Pedro and Alazan creeks in the city’s largely Hispanic West Side neighborhoods. Fifty-one people die, the majority on the West Side, and dozens of others are never accounted for. The San Antonio Light declares it “the greatest disaster in the history of San Antonio.” Tragedy, however, leads to change. Mayor John Tobin proposes a bond in 1923 that pays for a dam at Olmos Basin plus the construction of bridges and storm sewers—the precursor to development along the River Walk.

1922: USAA Forms

The insurance, banking and investment services company starts in 1922 when 25 Army officers team up to insure one another’s vehicles. William Garrison is elected the first president.

HQs

San Antonio is home to several major companies, including Valero, which was named for the San Antonio Mission and opened in 1980, and radio company iHeart Media, known as Clear Channel Communications when Lowry Mays and Red McCombs founded it in 1972.

1924: San Antonio Conservation Society Founded

Thirteen women establish the society, in large part to restore and preserve the San Antonio missions. The group is among the first of its kind in the U.S. It has been credited with making San Antonio a city known for its history, both in preservation and in neighborhood restoration as can be seen in the King William Historic District.

1929: Majestic Theatre Opens

Though not the first Majestic Theatre in the state, the San Antonio Majestic is the first fully air-conditioned theater in Texas and the largest movie house in the South when it opens June 14, with over 3,700 seats. Follies of 1929 is the first film shown, followed by live acts.

1941: First Portion of River Walk Completed

Architect Robert Hugman and developer Jack White, manager of the White Plaza Hotel, are credited with the plan that, years after Hugman’s first pitch, results in the March 1941 completion of the initial River Walk plus the Arneson River Theatre at La Villita. Hotels along the River Walk that open in time for the 1968 World’s Fair cement its place as a tourist destination and growth continues. In 1998, a 13-mile expansion begins that results in the Museum and Mission Reaches. “It’s the lifeblood of the community,” says Visit San Antonio’s Richard Oliver.

1947: Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children Opens

In 1945, Dela and John White learn that their infant daughter, Tuleta, is deaf. The Whites discover the John Tracy Clinic, one of only a few schools equipped to educate deaf children—but it is in California. Nevertheless, Dela has a strong belief that her daughter can learn to speak, so the Whites travel to the Tracy Clinic with their 18-month-old. With encouragement from its founder and initial funding from the Junior League of San Antonio, 26-year-old Dela White decides to open a school of her own. Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children enrolls seven students in 1947 in a former caretaker’s cottage near the site of today’s Landa Library, painted with bright yellow paint that had been donated. Over the next 70-plus years, Sunshine Cottage grows, moving from to what’s now the Zoo School and eventually to a 20-acre campus on Hildebrand that opens in 2010. There, the student body, which now includes 300 from infancy through fifth grade, benefit from state of-the-art spoken-word education.

Trailblazer The Rev. Claude Black

Black is named pastor at Mount Zion First Baptist in 1949. He goes on to be a Civil Rights leader, serving on City Council and becoming the first black mayor pro tem.

1950: The First Modern Art Museum in Texas

In a 24-room Spanish Colonial Revival mansion, one of the country’s most captivating modern art collections beckons. Built for painter, art collector and heiress Marion Koogler McNay, the 1920s-era home on sweeping, 23-acre, Eden-like grounds now holds more than 20,000 works of art—including pieces by Picasso, Van Gogh, O’Keefe, Hopper and others. Designed by architects Atlee and Robert Ayres and built originally as McNay’s abode, the home was part of an endowment that when McNay died in 1950 established Texas’ first modern art museum. Since then, the trove has only continued to grow. The private collection began in 1927 with Diego Rivera’s “Delfina Flores” and grew to include more than 700 works by 1950. The home was opened as a museum in 1954. “We offer an escape from the outside world, and the side benefit is all of this wonderful art,” says Heather Lammers, curator of collections. McNay, ever the visionary, more than achieved her lofty goal.

5 pieces to see at the McNay

“LOVE” by Robert Indiana

“Reclining Woman” by Pablo Picasso

“Girl With the Blue Eyes” by Amedeo Modigliani

“Corn Hill” (Truro, Cape Cod) by Edward Hopper

Costume design for Vaslav Nijinsky as Chinese Dancer in Les Orientales by Léon Bakst (on display through June 10)

Art Houses

The Lone Star Brewery complex was purchased in the 1970s by the San Antonio Museum Association and underwent a $7.2 million renovation before opening in 1981 as the San Antonio Museum of Art. The Beretta Hops House was renovated into classrooms in the 1990s and the Cowden Gallery and other spaces have been added.

The Briscoe Western Art Museum is housed in what was the city’s first public library in 1903. It was later transformed into the Hertzberg Circus Museum (from 1968-2001) and opened in its current form in 2013 with an extensive Western art collection.

Trailblazer Carlos Cadena

Cadena and attorney Gustavo Garcia become the first Mexican Americans to win a case at the Supreme Court in 1954, which ultimately paves the way for Mexican Americans to be selected for service on juries (the case originated from a murder conviction the pair argued was unconstitutional because Mexican Americans had not been considered for the jury). A San Antonio native whose parents had immigrated in 1907, Cadena graduated with a law degree from the University of Texas in 1940. He was the only Mexican American in his class. He worked as an assistant attorney for the city of San Antonio before being drafted into World War II. In the late 1940s, he wins a court case that helps Mexican-Americans to purchase homes in previously restricted areas of San Antonio. In 1970 he is among those who found the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

1959: UT Health San Antonio Established

Though it doesn’t open until 1968, what’s now known as UT Health San Antonio is established in 1959 when Gov. Price Daniel signs a bill creating the South Texas Medical School. The former Nix Dairy Farm is transformed into the medical school and University Hospital campus by July of 1968. The Biomedical Sciences Graduate School, Dental School and School of Nursing have been added in the years since the school opened.

Health Pioneer

The creation of the first successful intravascular stent is credited to Dr. Julio Palmaz, who worked at UT Health from 1983-2005. The Palmaz Stent was patented in 1988.

Trailblazer Henry B. Gonzalez

The son of Mexican immigrants and a World War II veteran, Gonzalez became the first Mexican-American city councilman in 1953. His advocacy helped lead to desegregation of public facilities. He was elected to the State Senate in 1956 where he also fought for integration (mainly in schools). In 1961, he won a special election to become the U.S. representative for District 20, a position he held until 1998.

1973: San Antonio Spurs Arrive

Established as the Dallas Chaparrals in 1967 (one of 11 ABA teams), the franchise relocates to San Antonio as the Spurs, thanks to work by businessmen Red McCombs, Art Burdick and Angelo Drossos. Their first game is Oct. 10.

Spurs By the Numbers

2 Years After drafting David Robinson with the No. 1 pick in 1987, the Spurs wait this long for him, while he fulfills his commitment to the Navy. During his first year of play, the Spurs improve their record by 35 wins, the biggest one-year shift in NBA history.

3 Players The Spurs’ “Big Three,” Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, recorded the most wins by any NBA trio (575 regular season and 126 playoff games)

5 NBA Titles 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014

7 Retired Numbers Johnny Moore (00), Avery Johnson (6), James Silas (13), Sean Elliott (32), George Gervin (44), David Robinson (50) and Tim Duncan (21)

1,000 Wins In 2016, Tim Duncan became the first NBA player to win 1,000 games with the same team. He spent 19 seasons with the Spurs.

26,595 Points George Gervin’s career points (all-time leader in points per game).

Trailblazer Becky Hammon

The six-time WNBA all-star who led the San Antonio Stars to seven playoff appearances is hired as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, becoming the first female coach in the NBA. She acts as head coach of the Spurs summer league team in 2015 and 2016. Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich has had nothing but compliments for her coaching and “basketball IQ,” saying that Hammon could coach anywhere at any level. Here’s hoping she’s remembered as the NBA’s first female head coach when she ultimately retires.

1968 The World’s Fair Opens

An estimated 6.4 million visitors descend on downtown San Antonio during the six-month World’s Fair, HemisFair. Fifty years later, the park is once again undergoing a transformation that will include green space, apartments and more.

Trailblazer Lila Cockrell

If it’s possible to fall in love with a river, former mayor Lila Cockrell, now in her 90s, says she did so with the San Antonio River. Cockrell was recruited to run for City Council in 1963 (where she served until 1970) and in 1975 becomes the city’s first female elected as mayor. She is instrumental in the World’s Fair, negotiates the “energy wars” and leads in parks and river development (as an elected official and a volunteer).

Trailblazer G.J. Sutton

Sutton is the first black San Antonian elected to the Texas House in 1972. His accomplishment, according to Everett L. Fly, a local historian, architect and landscape architect, is the result of decades of leadership by his parents—his father Samuel Sutton was the first black school principal in Bexar County. “If it hadn’t been for Samuel there would be no G.J.,” Fly says, adding that one of G.J.’s sisters was among the first black women to earn a medical degree in the Alamo City.

1987: City and MLK Jr. Commission Hold First Official Martin Luther King Jr. March

While the city’s first official march doesn’t take place until 1987, the Rev. Raymond “R.A.” Callies Sr. first organizes a March for Justice starting in 1968. Callies’ march continues to grow and is the catalyst for the current event, which is known as one of the largest MLK marches in the U.S. Callies also is credited with having a statue of MLK Jr. added in what’s now MLK Plaza.

Trailblazer Henry Cisneros

Cisneros first ran for City Council in 1975 at just 27, becoming the youngest council member to date. He is elected mayor in 1981, the first Hispanic mayor of a major U.S. city in the 20th century, and is reelected three times, serving until 1989. In 1993, President Bill Clinton appoints him secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

1998: Rackspace Founded

Now one of the largest managed cloud computing companies in the world, Rackspace starts in the mid-1990s in the apartment of Trinity student Richard Yoo. He’s joined by Dirk Elmendorf and Pat Condon. The trio refocus their efforts on web hosting. Graham Weston and Morris Miller provide the capital needed to launch and in October 1998, Rackspace is officially born. Weston goes on to serve as CEO and champions for the tech industry.

2002: Pearl Transformation Begins

Silver Ventures, led by Kit Goldsbury, purchases the 22-acre Pearl Brewery complex, and begins work turning the once active brewery into a live-work-play destination full of restaurants, shops, apartments, a Culinary Institute of America campus and recreation spaces.

2003: Toyota Establishes $1.2 billion Manufacturing Plant in SA

Toyota Motor Corp. becomes one of San Antonio’s biggest employers in 2003, breaking ground on a 2-million-square-foot Tundra pickup assembly plant. Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff plays a key negotiating role in landing the company.

2014: Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Opens

After seven years of work and a $203 million investment (that included voter-approved bond money, county funds and city property), the Tobin Center opens on Sept. 4, bringing what leaders call a “world class performing arts center” to San Antonio. Built on the site of the Municipal Auditorium, which opened in 1926, the Tobin Center couples the preserved façade from the auditorium with new construction to create the large H-E-B Performance Hall plus a smaller theater and River Walk plaza.

2015: San Antonio Missions named UNESCO World Heritage Site

The five Spanish missions constructed by Franciscan missionaries in the 18th century are named the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas during a July summit in Germany. Missions Espada, San Juan, San José, Concepción and Valero (the Alamo) make up the largest collection of still functioning Spanish colonial missions in existence. The process to become a UNESCO site started nine years earlier and involved extensive work by the San Antonio Conservation Society, the city, the county and others.

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[redqueenmusings]

What to Expect

May and the weather is predictably hot and sunny in the south with average temperatures for last year being 23°C – 27°C during the day and at night averaged 21°C. While the north has more cloud and a chance of rain, it is still warm with daytime shade temperatures ranging as they did last year between 18°C -21°C and dropping slightly to 16°C on a night.

Highlights

The 3rd May is one of the liveliest days in Santa Cruz. Following an old tradition from the times when the city was founded, around five centuries ago, the capital is carefully adorned with flowers neatly tied together by residents to create colourful crosses. Locals from different districts compete to be awarded the most beautiful cross. The night before, people dressed in traditional clothing gather in the historical street, Calle de la Noria, to enjoy a feast prepared from local produce. The festival continues with folk music and dances.

Also on 3rd May visitors and residents to Los Realejos can expect the night to go with a bang, as the town hosts their annual fireworks display. The display, which has been granted National Tourist Interest status, starts at 9pm.

30th May National Holiday as it is Canarian Day – with parties, wine festivals, and concerts.

The First Cruise-Regatta between Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje and Marina del Sur, Las Galletas will take place in waters off the south coast of Tenerife. (When: 12:30 p.m. on May 1 in Puerto Colón, with the estimated time of arrival being 16:30 p.m.)

The Little Mermaid A children’s musical with a great staging magnificent voices and well known songs. (When 6th May, Where: Auditorio Infanta Leonor in Los Cristianos. Tickets available online HERE)

Swan Lake – one of the most beautiful ballets, performed by the RFB Ballet de Moscú (When 9th May, Where: Auditorio Infanta Leonor in Los Cristianos. Tickets available online HERE).

Sleeping Beauty – also performed by the RFB Ballet de Moscú (When 10th May, Where: Auditorio Infanta Leonor in Los Cristianos. Tickets available online HERE).

El Festival Internacional de Arte en la Calle Mueca – a free open air art festival in the streets, harbour, and squares full of performances and interactive shows (When 11 and 14 May Where: Puerto de la Cruz)

XXVII Adeje Rally – This event has been staged 27 times, and it forms part of the national Spanish rally championships. (When: 11-13 May, Where: various in municipality)

Children of the 80s – It’s  impossible not to have a great night (When: 13th May Where: Hard Rock Hotel Playa Paraiso)

Romeria de la Virgen de Fatima – The image of the virgin of Fatima is paraded around Arona and carried to Mirador de la Centinela, accompanied by floats and folk groups. There is a feast, after which music and dancing begin in the town square. (When: 13th May Where: Arona).

Jorge Blass – one of the best illusionists in the world, brings his latest show to Tenerife. Close magic, levitations, teleportation, illusions with new technologies and much more, will transport the public to a magical world created by this great artist. David Copperfield acquired in 2015 the exclusive rights of an illusion created by Jorge Blass. (When: 13th and 14th May Where: the Auditorium of Tenerife, Santa Cruz).

Arona Fashion Week – an event that will showcase the area’s booming industry. The event is structured in three distinct parts (When: 13-21 May Where Playa de las Américas)

Foam festival – fun for all the family whether on 2 legs or 4! (When 14th May Where: Refugio Animales Acción del Sol)

Rototom SunSplash is one of the most important reggae music festivals of Europe and attracts thousands of Jamaican music fans (When 19th May, Where: Cubik Club Santa Cruz)

Stephanie Carr a world renowned psychic and clairvoyant medium, has the gift to amazed her audiences. (When 20th May Where: Show Time Las Americas)

II Descent Extreme Mountain Bike Challenge This event, is expected to involve more than 100 riders, in different categories such as S-23, Master40, Master30, Junior, Elite Féminas and Cadetes. (When: May 21st 10.00am Where: Los Gigantes)

Salon Gastronómico de Canarias (Food Fair) – Even though the fair is designed for professionals, it is also open to the public, and there will be 150+ stands, with cookery demonstrations, equipment displays, interactive sessions, cocktail making workshops, ham cutting classes, wine tasting, etc. Some 10,000 people are expected to attend, with admission at €5. (When 23 – 25 May Where Recinto Ferial in Santa Cruz)

3rd Tenerife Walking – offers routes among Tenerife’s most spectacular natural surroundings as well as appealing complementary activities (When 23 – 27 May Programme of walks, accommodation, routes, and excursions from the website)

Gloria Gaynor – As part of the ‘Legends Live‘ tour that brought us Earth Wind and Fire, UB40, Jethro Tull etc will be in Tenerife (When 29th May Where the Magma Arte y Congresio in Las Americas. )

Craft Fairs – Artesanía de Tenerife has announced the date of craft fairs for 2017 in Tenerife. The fairs, both small and large, sell unusual products from really creative and talented individuals, all of whom are officially recognized with a carné de artesano. The full list of dates is HERE.

Tenerife Symphony Orchestra – Enjoy the OST often accompanied by guest sopranos and other talented soloists. They perform the works of well known composers to make each peformance a memorable evening can be enjoyed by aficionados and amateurs alike. (When every Friday until Jun 23rd 2017, Where Auditorio Adán Martín, Santa Cruz)

Whilst these are some of the most interesting events, there is an overwhelming amount of activities on Tenerife each month. Click on the links below to see what is happening elsewhere.

Tenerife – Attractions

Tenerife offers a wealth of attractions follow the LINK to get just a few ideas.

Tenerife – Tours

Guided tours both free and private as well as numerous excursions are available throughout the year.  For a few ideas follow the link to Tenerife Tours and Days Out

Tenerife – Sporting Activities

Year round temperatures averaging 22 degrees combined with a low level of rainfall provide an ideal climate for outdoor ventures. Whether on land, at sea or in the skies, Tenerife provides outdoor adventure for all types of travellers. Check them out HERE

Tenerife – Markets

Everyone loves a market and the island is home to a wealth of covered, outdoor and street markets. Many specialise in a particular type of goods while others selling the same product move from site to site. Most open early in the morning and close early afternoon. Follow this link for a list of Tenerife Markets

Tenerife – Museums

The museums of Tenerife are accessible to all sections of the community regardless of limited mobility or communication. Follow the link to find a comprehensive list of Tenerife – Museums

For more news on Tenerife read Queenie’s Daily Snippets everyone’s favourite Tenerife Blog  

Things to do in Tenerife in May 2017 What to Expect May and the weather is predictably hot and sunny in the south with average temperatures for last year being 23°C - 27°C during the day and at night averaged 21°C.

[princesscatherinemiddleton]

LAKE DISTRICT | The Duchess of Cambridge, Honorary Air Commandant of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, joined a group of Air Cadets taking part in a number of outdoor activities, at the Windermere Aventure Training Centre

[princesscatherinemiddleton]

“She was about to abseil and I was next in line so she asked me if I wanted to go before her. I was a bit scared so I said no. She said if I did she would meet me down there”

- Itelouwa Odipe (13), about The Duchess of Cambridge

[princesscatherinemiddleton]

DOES IT EVER DRIVE YOU CRAZY JUST HOW FAST THE NIGHT CHANGES | The Duchess of Cambridge having a go at abseiling in North Wales in 2015 and in Cumbria in 2021