In January, Heather Brain visited the Island from England to take part in the International Race Weekend Half Marathon, along with her friend Juliet Kingsford. On her return to the UK she wrote about her experience in the newsletters of two running clubs. She has given permission for this excerpt to be printed by The Royal Gazette.

"We arrived after a seven and a half hour flight with British Airways to the warmth of a Bermudian evening. It was dark as the taxi took us to our B&B. We could smell the freshness of the evening air and see the tropical plants and ferns that lined our route. Salt Kettle Guest House was a place we fell in love with. Its old colonial style made the place unique and we were instantly welcomed into what seemed to be an extended family of guests that return year after year.

"Bermuda is certainly beautiful as we discovered the following morning. We walked for hours and found ourselves on a glorious deserted beach, Warwick Long Bay, covered in fine, pinkish sand and although the water was cold, it was crystal clear and turquoise blue and so inviting. Our shoes and socks were off in minutes and we were splashing about like the two English tourists we had become. The kiskadees called continually from every tree and telegraph wire, this yellow and black flycatcher/kingfisher is seen everywhere in Bermuda.

"Bermudian people are so friendly; it is so genuine, even the local school children when getting on the bus greeted all the seated passengers. The people's smiles made us feel so welcome. I have been to so many countries but this rates as one of the safest places I have ever visited.

"We did both run in the half marathon for fun, it was a hot humid day; it was tough on an undulating course but deeply satisfying. The scenery was glorious, on every bend there were views out to the deep blue sea, beautiful hibiscus flowers in shades from deep red to pure white grew as hedges along the route, birds were calling. Local people sat outside their pretty coloured houses with pure white rooftops, offering encouragement. We both finished in respectable times and certainly enjoyed the event.

"I was lucky enough to attend a lecture and met David Wingate. I had only read of the great work he had done in conservation on the island of Nonsuch. David was only 15 years old when in 1951 he was on the island when a breeding Bermuda petrol (Cahow) was found and I was lucky enough to watch the actual film coverage of him holding the first chick discovered from a bird thought extinct for over 300 years.

"Bermuda is now a glorious memory. There are so many things I did not have time to do, swim with the green turtles, snorkel with the parrot fish, although I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a humpback whale. I know in my heart I will return."