Christmas Greetings 2017 from Bill & Linda McKinney
It is hard to believe we are now in the eighth
year of retirement. We think we are getting
pretty good at it!
Travel is a big part of our lives. We try to spend
most of January in the southern hemisphere
(goal is daytime temps around 80). This year we
headed for South Africa. After a couple of days
on our own in Cape Town, we joined an 18-day
tour group with Gate1 Travel. This was our
fourth trip with Gate 1 and we like the range of
activities and the pace. There is something
planned for most days but also sufficient time
to do our own thing.
Bill and Linda in South Africa
We enjoyed four days of safari and got to see all
of the Big Five game animals.
One of the highlights of the trip was a half-day
at Robbin Island where we were inspired by the
dedication of the band of jailed human rights
heroes who imagined and planned the new
South Africa.
Nelson Mandela's cell at Robbin Island
Soon after returning to the Cape we prepared
for the long drive to Ft Myers and our annual
visit to Red Sox spring training and visits with
Florida friends.
Bill traveled to California in March for a brief
visit and speech for the annual meeting of
United Camps, Conferences and Retreats. Thats
one of the boards that absorbs some of his
volunteer energies.
We both keep active in Craigville, the little
village on Cape Cod where we first met 52 years
ago. Lindas on the worship committee and Bill
is on the board. Hes been very involved in a
campaign to winterize and upgrade the
Craigville Inn, the largest building in the
Craigville Retreat Center. Most weekends we
stay with Lindas mom in Middleborough, an
hour away, and join her for worship on Sundays
at North Congregational Church, UCC.
We hadnt planned on much travel for the
fall but saw a great offer for an 8-day trip to
Greece ($799 apiece including airfare!).

We were there the first week of November.

The weather was great and there werent
many tourists. We live in a part of the
country where a place dating back 250 or
300 years qualifies as old so visiting sites
built 2000 or more years ago provides
perspective!

A look at modern Athens from the Acropolis.

Lion Gate at Mycenae, built around 1250 BC
We spent time in Athens, Delphi, Olympia
and a brief visit to three islands, including
Hydra.
Paul preached in the neighborhood at the
foot of the hill.
In January we are off for 18 days in India
and Nepal, then back to Florida in late
February. Koji, our Maine coon cat gets to
join us on the Florida trip each year. Hes
always ready to go!

Koji on vacation in Ft Myers

Blessings to you in this

Christmas and Holiday
Season!
Typical Day