Greetings from Niagara Falls.   Don’t know where to start this blog.   I have done about 4,000 miles since my last one.   I left Florida on October 24 and headed for South Carolina to meet Linda and Bob Peterson.   I had a wonderful 4 days there and learned how to become an expert at Horseshoe Pitching, (that’s my story anyway) but the most important part of this story is that I found Fried Green Tomatoes.   They are soooo good.

I then spent 2 days driving to a wonderful reunion in LaCrosse, WI.  The drive was tough as it was 1,450 miles,  but I was diverted in the Appalachian mountains through the Blue Ridge Parkway,  which cost me 100 miles and 3 hours,  but then I was delayed for another hour by a truck which went over the edge.   I will never forget the colours.  What a lovely experience.   We had a mini-reunion where I met people from 5 different tours.   The night was hosted in Dan and Mary’s Pub.  It was so nice that so many people turned out to meet me.   I was so happy to meet old friends.   Thanks everyone.  Almost forgot.  I got to drive with Jan and and Jay Bowers in a Mustang 1965,  with a red interior.

Then I went to Green Bay.   This was the most amazing experience of my life.   Larry,  Linda,  Caitlin and Ben Walbrun are huge Green Bay fans and they set this up for me.   The tailgating and the game itself  were incredible.   I will take this game to my grave.   It was an unforgettable experience.  Brett Favre was wonderful,  even though my team Green Bay were beaten by the Vikings.

I then went to Milwaukee where I had a lovely evening with Ingrid and her mother MaryLou.   Ingrid has instructed to tell everybody that Guinness is good there.   that’s going a bit far,  but it was not bad.

I went to Chicago to firm up some John Spillane gigs,  but there are some problems to be sorted out before we can post his schedule.  I do hope we can sort it out as we have many people from both WI and Il waiting to see John.  I met with Gerry and Denise Dignan,  two of my favourite people in USA.  We had a lovely night where we planned for next year and of course looked back on our last tour.   For people on last year’s tour,  the will be no more “McNamara’s Band” and that is written in stone and in our new contract,  I THINK.

I then drove to Perth, Ontario,  Canada.   this was my first time in Canada and I was hugely impressed.   I met my MAD CANADIANS and they surely lived up to their name.  We laughed so much up there and last night I went to see the Ottawa Senators play the New Jersey Devils.   We were beaten,  but it was a great experience to see Hockey played in Canada.  It was SO COLD up there.  I saw my first snow ,  but it was not bad.   THANKS A MILLION TO  Cheryl,  Marie,  Joanna and Pat.   It was so nice there.

I left this morning and drove to Niagara Falls.   My GPS did not work properly in Canada,  so it was a nightmare.   Signposting is not Canada’s greatest strength,  but I got here anyway.   My GPS took me in to Toronto,  but did not tell me how to get out.   I did not panic,  but I got out without too much trouble.  It is such a wonderful and BIG city.

I got to Niagara Falls about 2.00pm and frankly I was stunned by what I saw.   I have seen the Falls in the movies and on TV many times,  but nothing can prepare you for seeing it LIVE.   I will never forget my couple of hours there.  AWESOME.

So,  tomorrow I start my journey to Ney Jersey,  New York and  NERFA,  before going back to the heat of Florida.

I will report very soon on that……………………………..TOM