Posting for Diane:

This year's group, while not as great as the B&K group of two years ago
(how could it be?) has supreme potential. At dinner tonight, we few U.S.
attendees (5) were outnumbered by 8 Englanders, including a
mother/daughter duo just out of All Creatures Great and Small. Plus a
young French couple (she looks like Mary Louise Parker) on a month long
vacation. And a silent Swiss fellow.

If the last group had its stodgy (non-B&K) elements, this group is full
of laughing, chocolate cake eating bear lovers. Bodes well for a fine
experience.

I had forgotten the first day's early wake-up call -- head-um-up-and-out
at 4:30 a.m., for a 6 a.m. flight to Churchill. I took the announcement
much better, however, than the group's remaindermen, who shrieked in
horror. And that was the male contingency. The women just sighed,
knowing their responsibility for their other halves. Then two people, at
opposite ends of the table, demanded 4:45 a.m. coffee. At that moment I
knew I was amongst my own. Let the bean grinding begin. Columbian,
please.