The Express train reaches its final destination

 

The Express Train reaches its final destination.

 

We have one final stop before the AGM in Morocco and that is back to Germany for their AGM. Two German AGM’s in one year, they must love him! This time the meeting was held in Regensburg and as Barry says a beautiful town with the River Danube running through. As always Barry and Rachel report an excellent event.

 

On the Sunday afterwards Barry, along with Rachel, took his last flights as International President from Munich to Marrakesh via Madrid arriving early on Monday morning. For the first few days they spent the time resting and sightseeing

plus a compulsory ride on a camel in the desert. Clearly the couple decided to go incognito although having travelled so significantly Barry must be recognised wherever he went. It looks like the camel was just as tired as Barry and Rachel must be after their momentous year as it immediately lay down looking exhausted.

 

After a day doing admin they joined the conference delegates for the amazing weekend in Marrakesh. Over 550 participants from across the 41 club, Tangent and Agora world took part for a series of parties, meetings, more parties,

AGM’s and more parties culminating in the handover at the end of their year for both Barry and Jayshree at a wonderful gala dinner. Yet again a great opportunity to enjoy the fun and friendship of our organisations meeting old friends and of course making new ones. During the weekend there was the usual banner exchange and presentation of gifts. Almost 100 people attended and they nearly didn’t get their gifts as for some reason Barry’s gifts were confiscated by customs and it took 2 days for them to be released. The gala dinner was spectacular and it appears that Barry got re-married. Not to Rachel you understand, but to his partner throughout the year, Tangent President Jayshree. Fortunately it appears that the divorce and wedding happened simultaneously as Barry failed to meet the asking price of 2 camels and a sheep for Jayshree’s hand. Personally I would have thought that very cheap Barry!

 

For Barry, of course, the highlight was running the AGM on the Saturday. He was really pleased with the way it went and tells me that he received a lot of compliments on the whole thing. There was not a dry eye in the house as he finished the AGM with his speech and a photographic presentation of his year as International President. The handover took place at the Gala Dinner on the Saturday night and we wish the new International President Aziz all our very best wishes and sent “With Love”.

 

So what has happened in the year. Barry has visited 3 continents, 23 different countries and attended 29 different events. He has presented his talk on “Full Steam Ahead” on at least 30 occasions during the year. He has promoted and supported his two charities in Moldova “The House of Hope” and “Hope for victims of Crime and Conflict” raising much needed funds for them. Bearing in mind that there were no visits between the Chestnut festival in early November and the RTI HYM in Nepal at the end of February that is a huge amount of time away over a relatively short period. His wonderful wife Rachel has supported him throughout and been on many of the visits with him. I must also pay tribute to a couple of GB stalwarts who have been on many of the trips, including parts of Africa, Mauritius, Germany and others. Thank you to Andy and Gail Ventress for your support.

So finally the sun sets on the year as Barry and Rachel leave Morocco.

 

So what next? I don’t know but I suspect it won’t be just sitting around the house. He probably will continue with his love of trains and supporting the local steam rallies. I know he will continue to make a difference with his chairmanship of the “Millenium Way walk” which for our overseas readers is a magnificent series of walks along a 100 mile route across some beautiful countryside in the middle of England. Because there is “Only One Barry Durman” who knows what's next.

 

The ponytail (yes it’s still there) has travelled with not a pair of scissors in sight and there is no doubt that it’s owner, Barry, will still keep going “Full Steam ahead”. This is the 13^th and final episode of Barry’s Blog issued over the past 18 months following Barry on his travels. Whilst I haven’t been able to travel alongside him much in the past year, I hope those who have read these articles have enjoyed reading them as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them.

 

Congratulations Barry on a great year.

 

Jim Smith