Unlike the last set, these people are not meant to paint a picture of Thorpe. Rather, they are just interesting and for the most part enjoyable people we have met on the work site.

Sherrif: Sherrif is easily one of our greatest friends so far. Having immigrated from the Gambia to England (where he found his "missus" and settled down here) he has incredible stories of an amazing homeland and odyssey, as well as a killer sense of humor and a great attitude. Despite that fact that most of his jokes are either about Marijuana or Tomato Soup, he is very amusing.

Russel: Just as amusing, not quite so likeable. Russel is the fitness guru at Lifehouse, and walks around constantly in army pants and boots (he was never in the army) and a Parachute Regiment sweatshirt (wasn't in that either). In stead of being a real fitness expert, he relies on a loud voice and overwhelmingly boisteous good spirits. He runs Boot Camp, the workout class for the spa management team. I investigated this apparently armly style workout regime and it turns out they just play games like tag and leap frog for 45 minutes twice a week. Anyway, Russ never misses an opportunity to yell something like "Shocker!" "Are you feeling the love??" or just "Yeah Guys!" He has also lectured on whether you can hear a tree fall in the forest, and it was, well, ridiculous.

Jan: Jan is the head gardener, a fascinating guy who can talk for hours about classical music, rock and roll, bread-making, beer-brewing, prison-guarding, and, oh yeah, gardening. He is a polymath with a great sense of humor and as well as being a good boss and leader, he is great to be around. Member of the Royal Horticultural Society and former prison guard and former hippie, he is writing a book on these gardens.
Louise: The former head gardener, who was demoted when it was realized that she had no experience in the field. She still works here, but has trouble relinquishing her tyrannical control over all gardeners, especially "the American boys." Suffice it to say she is tough to deal with, bossy, and condescending. Ultimately though, she is good-natured. We often forget that.

Bernie: The Managing Director of the whole project, she is a frenetic but forceful boss, who seems to know everything that is going on at all times and also tries very hard (perhaps too hard?) to keep everyone in wildly high spirits. Constantly feuding with Paul, so we try and stay out of her way. She not only atttends, but Loves Boot Camp, which is another reason to stay out of her way. She is also ex-military, our real reason. Apparently she was the youngest woman ever in the British army to see active service. Seriously. Impressive.
Baldie: A friend of Nigels (who I wrote about a few posts ago, a friend from the gardening team and a local guy) who took us out for a late-night drive around Thorpe, driving far too fast and making obscene jokes at every opportunity. Farting loudly and constantly. Talking even more loudly and constantly. Fairly obsessed with smoking (forget 'fairly'). Probably won't be looking him up again.