Many Thanks to many special people as the magical mystery tour has come to an end....

Well I suppose all good things have to come to an end and our magical mystery tour of Brazil has finished and the GSE team from District 1180 are all home. I'm trying not to think of it as the end but think of the new beginings such as new friendships, new founded knowledge of an amazing country and new opportunities to hopefully make a difference in the world.
As you will know from following the blog the five of us have been on an amazing adventure and had the wonderful opportunity to explore our vocations in another country, experience the culture of Brazil and the unbelievable kindness of our Brazilian hosts, the Rotarians and their friends. I feel very priveledged to have been part of the GSE team and I am extremely grateful to Rotary for giving me this amazing opportunity.
I have enjoyed updating the blog during our trip and it was great for the team to know so many people were following our trip from home. As this will probably be my last blog, I just wanted to thank a few people who made this experience possible for me. Although I know there are so many Rotarians who make GSE possible and I thank you all!! I am inspired by the work you undertake, the number of members in Rotary across the world and the way in which you make a difference to people's lives.
I want to say a big thank you to Hugh and Shirley Lloyd who made me aware of the GSE trip and encouraged me to make an application to be a team member. They have both been very supportive over the last year, including Hugh escorting me to fabulous lunches at Birkenhead's Rotary meetings!
Thank you to Birkenhead Rotary Club for sponsoring me and for always making me so welcome at your club, everybody is so friendly and lunch is always fabulous! Special thanks to Ray Thomas, Dave Martin and Gill Mackeen who I first met a year ago in Birkenhead Park visitors centre to discuss the possibility of me applying for the trip. When I think back to that meeting, I didn't have any idea of the extaordinary and amazing adventure I was about to embark on.
Thank you to the District 1180 Governor John McDowell and to Dave ,Rotary Foundation Chairman, it was lovely to see you Dave at Manchester airport on our arrival home.  
Thank you to our wonderful Portuguese teachers, Marina and Manuella who made learning Portuguese so enjoyable and I know have been following the Blog during our trip.

I can't put a big enough Thank you in to words to the people in Brazil who opened up their lives and their homes to us and made us all so welcome. I was completely overwhelmed by the kindness shown to us, by our hosts, by the Rotary Clubs we visited and friends of Rotary. There were so many of you that helped us and looked after us! It would be too difficult to mention all individually (as most of you know I can go on) but to mention a few;  A huge thank you to my first host Fabio and to Vera who co-ordinated our visit in Belem. Special thanks to William and Gerson Aoki who ensured our every need was catered for in Manaus. Thanks to the Rio Branco crew!!, particularly to my host Getulio and to Coracy who did an excellent job of co-ordinating our visit to Rio Branco (and managing our celebrity status)!! Again we were all overwhelmed by your kindness and have memories that I will treasure forever. Thank you to my hosts in Rolim de Mora, Amira, Salsol, Bruna and Rafael, it was lovely to share Easter weekend with you and moments I will never forget. Thank you to all the special people we met in Porto Velho, my wonderful hosts, Dr Ladner, Christina, Amanda, Glenda and Andraisa. I loved have three little sisters for the week and hope we will always be in touch. It would be fabulous if you could come to England to visit and will be welcome in our homes.
Thank you to all who were involved in arranging my excellent vocational visits, I learnt so much about Brazil during these days. Particular thanks to Dr Marra who inspired me in the work she does and whom I hope to stay in contact with regarding our shared interests with regards to female offending.

I look forward to working with Rotary and becoming involved in helping out the projects that we visited whilst we were in Brazil.

Finally (and I promise I am nearly finished), I want to say a huge thank you to our Team Leader Steve and my fellow team members, Liz, Ursy and Kat. We have got to know each other pretty well over the last 12 months and I hope I have four new friends for life. I have enjoyed your company, your support, learning about your professions, learning about your bad habits!! but most of all I have sincerely enjoyed experiencing this wonderful adventure with you and I know we all have memories that we will cherish forever!!

Muito obrigado a todos!!!