July 12th

Yesterday was an exhausting but productive day! The big tour bus left their hotel in Recco at 9 and headed up to Nice, France where we arrived around noon. The bus parked at least a mile from the beach so everyone hoofed it down and spent two hours swimming, fauna watching and para-gliding. The daring young men in the flying parachute who went in pairs were: Dane Sequeira and Jack Yeager in flight #1 and immediately following in flight #2 were Zach Lucas and Matt Russell. The 10 minute sail was well worth it according to the participants. We returned to the bus and then headed back towards Recco and stopped in the seaside town of Imperia where we played the local Imperia club team in a beautiful pool, similar to the architecture of the Camogli pool with a semi-open roof. Newport dominated the Imperia Impalas after a slow start with both the starters and the back-ups showing the locals what it is to counterattack and be in top-notch swimming shape. Both Nick and Ikaika looked sharp in goal. Our 6 on 5 defense held the opponents to two goals in seven attempts whereas we were successful in scoring 70% of the time. Jason is very pleased with the team's progress. Every player improved and that was the goal for the trip. I think the coaches feel that this team has a whole lot of potential and has what it takes to be very successful this season. Most importantly the boys genuinely like each other and they are learning how to play with their teammates.

The bus arrived at the hotel at 9:30, dinner of pasta, chicken, french fries and a lime/chocolate dessert at 10:30 and then a well-deserved good night's sleep. They were planning on spending today (Sunday) just "chillin" and maybe coming over to Camogli to hang at the hotel where the parents have been staying with a great pool and wonderful private beach. They may even have one last game/scrimmage tonight before packing up and getting ready for their trip back to Newport.

That's it for this trip. Maggie and I are heading off to the Lake Como region which is near Milan Malpensa for our early flight Monday morning. The team along with Lynne and the Yeagers, Mclarens and Taubers are all on the same flight to Atlanta with a connection to John Wayne. Lynne's mom, Bunny, will be flying to England for a few days of r & r before she returns home.

Lynne did an unbelievable job as team mom and deserves everyone's thanks and show of appreciation. What was especially impressive was her cool and calm demeanor throughout. One thing in her favor was the great group of boys who were respectful and well-behaved throughout. All you parents are to be commended for the great job you've done in rearing your son (Mclarens - sons!). I can't imagine a better bunch traveling together anywhere.

I'm in the process of uploading yesterday's fotos from Nice and Imperia. I don't know how far I'll get before our train pulls out of the Camogli station. What I don't get uploaded I'll take care of as soon as Maggie and I get to the house.

Arrivederci and ciao!

Laird


Fun tip from Dan - I have been able to see the Camogli, Sori, and Recco pools via Google Satellite. Fun tip as you can trace the coast line and see where the kids have gone. Satellite gets to about 500 ft over the towns/pools…



Check it out at Google maps.



Dan