 |
 |
 |
 |
The day started with free time. Some chose to have a well earned lie in followed by some rather interesting sports, including sumo wrestling, at a nearby swimming pool while the more cultured among us made our way in to the centre of Des Moines. The sight-seeing party toured the state Capitol and the Court buildings where thoughts of "Perry Mason" and "Judge Judy" sprang to mind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The first clanger pot nomination of the day came about when Melvyn's Christian spirit resulted in the car keys being the only thing locked inside the car!!!!
The only engagement of the day was a festival at the Capitol Lutheran church. Upon arrival it quickly became clear that they had been expecting a Salvation Army quartet!! After much advanced negotiations by the BM and the removal of four very heavy pews we set up for our evening.
|
|
 |
 |
Tea was another interesting American affair with an abundance of egg and gherkin sandwiches being the order of the day!!
Just before the start of the festival Ali and Mark, our 1st trombone section, were awarded the clanger pot for Sunday for their premature entry in Praise Party. At 7pm the festival started with a bright rendition of Let There Be Praise. It quickly became clear that our audience were much more subdued than our Sunday night crowd and that this church had probably never heard anything quite like this. Triumph of Peace made its debut of the tour and, as usual, made a powerful impact and brought the message of peace.
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
Food was definitely on the agenda at the end of the evening, and after much searching for a restaurant that was actually open at 11pm, we descended on a local steak house where Megan and Heather (who had just started cleaning up and were aiming to set off home) showed us again the fantastic Iowa service that we have received so much of.
Eventually after too much pop and fries we all staggered back to our motel, but not before some of the band had extended the hand of friendship to our great waitresses of the evening.
Words: Karen Farmer
Photos: Gordon McKee
