Four visitors on the Island were picked up by a passing good Samaritan at a bus stop in St. George's during the bus strike on Monday.

The husbands came into The Royal Gazette to give a letter to the editor and said: "There are so many reports of bad news, but here was something good that reminded you that all is not lost."

The couples, who are from Marietta, Georgia, said: "The lady stopped and told us that the buses were on strike. Even though we had read the paper in the morning, we had no way of knowing anything else.

"Carol Bennett explained to us that she was on her way town to pick up her daughter, who would otherwise have been stranded."

Andy and Peggy Anderson and Nan and Don Dickey all piled into the her car.

Mr. Anderson said: "My wife and I have been coming to Bermuda for the past 15 years and we didn't know that much about the Island.

"Carol filled us in on so much, she told us so many stories along the way."

It was the Dickey's first visit to the Island.

Mr. Dickey, who celebrated his birthday this week, said: "It was amazing. In Georgia no one would do that for you and if they did they would steal your wallet before the trip was over.

"It was so nice of her, we would have been standing there until midnight."

Good Samaritan Mrs. Bennett said: "Oh, anybody would have done the same. That was nothing. They were at the bus stop with a lot of other people. "I wish that I could have carried more people, but I knew that my little car would only fit four.

"They were very nice people with southern charm. They were very appreciative. It was my good deed for the day."

She said unfortunately most visitors to the Island never get to experience the real Bermudian charm.

"Most have never been in a Bermudian home. I think they were kind of enjoying talking to me. Unfortunately most of the tourists never get to know Bermudians other than those who work in the hotels."

Mrs. Bennett, who periodically carries out surveys with the Tourism Department said: "I'm really glad that they enjoyed themselves with me - there is so much of the `other stuff' in the news.

"Some people are quite shy, but I think that I must have looked harmless enough.

The couples felt that she needed to be recognised for her "true Bermudian spirit".