Branson and the Baldknobbers

We are in gorgeous Branson staying at a lovely hotel called "Chateaux on the Lake" It is located on the edges of Table Rock Lake. We are at a MPR (Midwest Public Risk) conference. It is all about insurance for local government. Our Hosts Sonja and Eric drove us down here to Branson yesterday (a four hour drive) through countryside and small towns. It was a lovely drive and we are impressed with the clean smooth roads, and the very welcoming people. There are no mountains in sight and only some small hills. It is green, very much like home and the temperatures are very similar. Yesterday Richard & Eric played golf and I was taken to the shops by Sonja. Shopping is fun in the US - things are very much cheaper than home except shoes - sorry Alex shoes are expensive. I found a lovely fairydown jacket with and inner and outer liner for $75US that would have cost nearly $500 at home. I didn't buy it but was very tempted. Today we slept in - the room was dark and very very comfortable and we didn't wake until 9 30am - a bit late for the morning sessions and breakfast. we slept for a whole ten hours!. Last night was fun as we were taken to a local pub - Waxy O'Sheas and experienced a local beer and a meal with members of Eric's Management Team and their partners. The beer was Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat. YUM very very nice. It was served with a slice of lemon and was very drinkable. I sampled a dish of bluecheese, tomato, beef and crostini - YUM again. WE have noticed that all the sauces and food are very very tasty. The coffee not so much as here they put cream in it - I have learnt to ask for milk. We are being totally spoilt.

On a funny note the locals here are called Bald knobbers because the tops of the hills tend to be bare - a little like Richards head!. The view outside our room is alot like Lake Te Anau without the mountains behind. There are hills covered in trees - not bush, and beautiful blue skies.

Our room is impressive and has a King size bed. I WANT ONE. I had to stretch out fully to reach Richard's hands for a cuddle. Tonight we are going to a conference dinner and a hypnotist - should be hilarious. We are thinking of you all back home but are having a great time.