HELLO AGAIN

INDIA
Joan and I have not long returned from our long trip around the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and a wee bit of Karnataka. It was delightful and kept on getting better as we found our feet again, and felt best whenever we thought about the alternative of Swansea's wintery weather. 
We are already contemplating our next trip to India. Big advantages of that country are the number of people who can speak fluent English, Indian Broadsheets in English (I normally eschew papers on holiday), the ease of independent travel, low cost, and the tasty food. 
A few of you will have known the address and been able to follow our travels more or less in real time, though our own kids never can find the time. It has now been amalgamated in chronological order as a long single posting, together with a selection of our photographs and can be found at


 http://rsouthindia.blogspot.com/


SPECIAL MEETING
10.30 this Thursday 18 March at St Davids Priory (located in the centre of Swansea behind the St David's Car Park)


It is hoped that as many as possible will turn up to discuss how better to involve our nearly 700 members in running this organisation.


WEBSITE
http://u3aswansea.org.uk
Please visit on a regular basis for up to date information. The best way to encourage Adrian's enthusiastic work updating this site. Also send him information you want displayed by email to u3aswansea@me.com


GROUPS
Armchair Travel
Our first attendance was at the Armchair Travel the week of our return. It was pleasant to hear Joy Gillard and John give an informal account of their worldwide travels illustrated with hats purchased as  a momento, a practice I also follow. Even more pleasing was to note the highest attendance I can remember.

The next meeting is not until Friday 9 April and will consist of a series of 5 min presentations by group members (current or future) bringing and talking about a holiday momento of their own. Volunteers should contact Convenor Brian Davies on 520927. It sounds to me like an excellent way to involve members. Support Please.


MODERN JIVE
The first U3A person I phoned on return was Gerwyn Thomas and was delighted to hear that he is making excellent progress from his severe heart attack and has begun to sit in on these sessions as observer. I did arrange to meet him then opted out when I realised that I was introducing the speaker that Wednesday as well as taking back the slide show. I shall be there this Wednesday.


Thanks to Eric Broadbent and Pam Williams for keeping this group thriving. Eric and wife were lighting fires on Hadrian's Wall this weekend in the interests of Tourism - I always thought it was built to keep out the Scots, it obviously failed!


MOTO
The second of Gerwyn's groups. So successful has it been that there is a moratorium on new members but plans are afoot to open a second group next October.


ITALIAN
Nice to find that group still functioning though it would be better for additional members. It has developed a nice informal style of learning to suit members interests, rather than the more structured style you might associate with evening classes.

CHESS
This Monday I switched from Italian to find only tutor Ken Huntley had turned up, apparently he was alone the meeting before. Unless I receive major support within the next couple of weeks this group will be closed.

BOOK GROUP 1
The U3A's first book group run by Mo Ellard is still going strong after 10 years, which anniversary it is celebrating on 15 April with a day out in Llandrindrod Wells. My first U3A group some six years ago.


VIRGIN MEDIA (NTLWORLD.COM) ATROCIOUS EMAIL SERVICE
Help me complain if you experience half the trouble I have at present. 
Believe me it has taken nearly an hour to get out the 10 alert emails associated with this blog. So confused are they that I think several of you will have received duplicate messages - not my fault I assure you.