York based magazine.

Visitor Rose Marino told the editor of Colonial Homes that its article on colonial Bermuda fascinated her to the point that when she visited the Island on a cruise earlier this year with her husband they planned to tour the historic homes described in the article.

"On Bermuda we purchased a three-day bus pass and one bright sunny day set out to visit Verdmont, Camden and Waterville.'' However, the tour was cut short after they visited Verdmont when the bus they were due to catch passed them by with a full load and the next one was not expected for 40 minutes. Mr. and Mrs. Marino returned to Verdmont looking for a drink of water during the wait and told their story to the tour guide, Connie Dey.

They were informed that Verdmont had no drinking water but Ms Dey said she would take them to the Bermuda National Trust at Waterville.

On the way there Mrs. Marino told Ms Dey about their planned tour and she gave the couple a personal tour of the Botanical Gardens at Camden and Waterville.

She then drove them back to their ship.

"I'm so glad I missed that bus! I discovered two beautiful Bermudian treasures instead -- its historic homes and Connie Dey,'' wrote Mrs. Marino.

TOURISM TOU