They're like London buses. You wait years for an official bilateral visit between Bermuda and America ... then two come along at once.

The engines of the plane carrying the Government delegation back from Washington were still warm when it emerged that a return visit was already in the pipeline.

News that talks had already started between US Consul General Gregory Slayton and Premier Alex Scott about another dash around Capitol Hill next spring suggested last week's whirlwind tour ? the first time Government has enjoyed access to the heart of the Washington political establishment since the mid-1990s ? had been worthwhile.

Diplomatic relations with the US had cooled somewhat since the PLP came to power, as Cuba links hit the headlines and raised the ire of some in Washington circles.

But with the current Consul General busy riffling through his bulging White House contacts book, a veritable who's who of the (mainly Republican) Washington political scene, Premier Alex Scott could barely disguise his delight as his delegation raced from Congressman to Senator through the corridors of power.

The Bermuda delegation ? who briefly brushed shoulders with Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld ? would obviously have been happier if they had got the chance to catch up with George W. Bush, or other big-name possibles like Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, during their DC drop-in.

The President was busy arguing the case for tighter controls on the Mexico border and fending off tricky questions about poor poll ratings. The Washington Post reported Dr. Rice was out of the country holding talks in Burma.

But meetings with senior Republicans like Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, House of Representatives speaker Dennis Hastert and men hovering in the wings to follow George W. Bush into the White House ? Sens. John McCain and George Allen ? were clearly nothing to be sneezed at.

Between those talks it soon became clear what was dominating the agenda: the controversial stop-list that prevents residents with minor offences against their names entering the US, new student exchange programmes to the heart of the Washington system, the crucial role Bermuda-based insurance firms play in the US economy, as well as the potential expansion of US Coast Guard operations around the Island and the possibility of a new Bermuda search and rescue headquarters.

The Premier and his team made positive noises when asked how all these issues were received by Washington powerbrokers, stating that nothing had been flatly rejected.

Both Government officials and the Consul General were keen to stress last week's talks were a stepping stone, an opening gambit in what will be a lengthy diplomatic process. And they were quick to reject suggestions the visit was merely a high-profile talking shop.

But the success of this and any future talks will be judged by results. How much movement is expected on the issues that were laid on the table last week?

The visit gave the delegation ample opportunity to hammer home the importance of the Bermuda insurance and reinsurance industry to the US, and the massive pay-outs ? more than $20 billion ? it has made towards hurricane rebuilding in the wake of catastrophic Gulf Coast storm seasons over the last two years.

Finance officials would also have been able to outline and explain Bermuda's regulatory framework, easing fears and reducing the likelihood of the Island becoming a political football on the damaging tax loophole topic that reared its head in the 2004 Presidential race through Democrat challenger John Kerry.

Mr. Scott said no promises were given but said he was "guardedly optimistic" about changes on the stop-list, with US officials apparently warming to the idea of a certificate of rehabilitation removing names from the no-go list.

Details are still emerging about plans to expand the role of the US Coast Guard. However, many politicians seemed to support the idea on the grounds of cost and geography alone.

The price of flying a search and rescue helicopter some 800 miles to Bermuda from North Carolina could prove vital as discussions continue on the subject in future months. And with a new Coast Guard chief at the helm, the next few months are probably as good a time as any to start talking in detail about expanding sea search facilities.

Before the visit, officials on both sides of the table were keen to stress the 230-year-old partnership between America and one of its closest neighbours.

But it is still too early to say whether last week's whistle-stop Washington tour will produce anything more than a handful of colourful soundbites and some great photo opportunities in front of historic Washington monuments, or whether it will lead to tangible policy changes that benefit Bermuda ? and see another chapter written in the history of the two countries.