and royals, going to all the top events, and sitting in the best seats -- that's how most people imagine the life of the Governor's aide-de-camp to be.

But a few moments in Captain Larry Mussenden's company soon dispels the myth.

"The ADC manages the Governor's affairs in conjunction with the staff at Government House,'' he begins innocently enough. "It involves all his external functions as well as events here.

"The ADC is also responsible for all the budget preparations, accounts and staff administration. He is responsible for transportation and the maintenance of all the vehicles, as well as maintenance of the house. You don't do all things yourself, of course, but you have to make sure they get done.'' The picture widens.

Behind the seemingly innocent phrase "manages the Governor's affairs'' are myriad details to be taken care of. For example, the Governor must never be late.

For Captain Mussenden that means not only organising the transportation but also knowing to the minute how long the journey from Government House to the Governor's destination is. He reels off a list of times as easily as his name: "To Hamilton five minutes, Dockyard 45 minutes, Biological Station 30 minutes, St. George's town square, 45 minutes ...'' "We never arrive early in case people are not ready for us, and we don't arrive late because that is impolite. If someone want us there at 2.18, we will be there at 2.18. Not one minute before and not one minute after,'' he says firmly.

In part, that is the military mind at work, for in addition to being the Governor's ADC, Larry Mussenden is also an officer in the Bermuda Regiment. It is an association of which he is particularly proud.

"I would encourage every Bermudian to join the Regiment,'' he said. "It is a very good organisation, and there is a place in it for everybody. The regiment increases people's confidence in themselves through the training they receive.

It also gives them the ability to work with others, and to learn teamwork.'' In fact, it is thanks to the Bermuda Regiment that Capt. Mussenden occupies his present post.

"To qualify you have to be an officer in the Regiment, and you are nominated by your Commanding Officer,'' he explained. "Then the current Governor actually interviews you.'' Although Capt. Mussenden is the full-time ADC, the Governor also has honorary ADCs drawn from the Canadian Forces, HMS Malabar and the Bermuda Police, all of whom assist at various times.

In addition to his Regimental background, Capt. Mussenden has found his academic career and previous work experience invaluable in his present job.

A graduate of Acadia Unversity, where he gained a Bachelor of Arts degree in computer sciences, and Webster College, where he obtained a Master's in management and human resources, the Pembroke-born Bermudian previous work experience includes the Bermuda Police Force and Government's Data Processing Unit.

Drawing on this rich background, he has been able to approach his varied duties without fuss or fear. Nothing makes him nervous.

"That is because I spend weeks in preparation for an event, so by the time it takes place I just wait for events to play themselves out,'' he said.

During his term of office, Capt. Mussenden has been involved in the visits of Prince Philip, Princess Margaret and Prince Edward, as well as the summit meeting between President Bush and Prime Minister John Major.

"The summit was an event where the ADC really had to assert authority at Government House because we had literally hundreds of people to deal with.

Journalists, secret servicemen, State Department officials, White House staff, and the Foreign Office were trampling all over the place.

"All of the local groups who supported that function came together and did a tremendous job in a short space of time,'' he said.

And if you have ever wondered why things seem to go so smoothly at receptions and formal dinners, again it is because of forward planning.

"We rehearse things until they are right and everyone knows what they have to do. That way, when the guests arrive, everything goes without hitch.'' Of course, the unexpected can happen -- but it is Captain Mussenden's duty to seek an immediate, unobtrusive solution so that the show goes on.

"The Daimler has a mind of its own,'' he confessed. "It decides when it wants to work. There have been times when I have been spotted with my jumper cables helping to start the thing. And I have also helped to change a flat tyre.

"My job is to make sure that whatever the Governor and his lady are doing is always done in a dignified manner. I feel that is one of the primary rules of being an ADC.

"The ADC is also always on time, always properly dressed, knows whom he is going to meet, knows what he is doing, and keeps cool at all times.'' But surely that must be difficult sometimes? Not even ADC's can be everywhere at once.

"Cellular phones are my best friend,'' he smiled. "I cannot live without them.'' And far from being overawed by such distinguished guests as royalty, Capt.

Mussenden has found them very easy to get along with.

"Once you actually get to talk to them about everyday topics you find they are really nice, genuine people with whom you can be comfortable,'' he said.

Of course, there are times when the ADC is absolutely exhausted by the heavy round of duties, and he has twice fallen ill immediately after the Christmas duties were completed.

Indeed, Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year, and during the course of his average 15-hour day, when he accompanies the Governor to a host of functions in addition to those taking place at Government House, the slim, trim Captain says he consumes "probably more turkey than anyone in Bermuda!'' How, then, does he keep in such obviously good shape? "I begin my day at 6.45 a.m. in the gym doing weight training with my partner Mark,'' he explained.

In his graciously furnished office by 9 a.m., the ADC organises his day around the Governor's schedule. Where possible, he likes to spend mornings doing "all sorts of paperwork'', and reserves the afternoons for chores away from Government House.

Among the big pluses of Capt. Mussenden's job has been the wealth of new experiences, including helicopter rides and visits to places he might otherwise not have seen. Art galleries and the Bermuda Biological Station are cases in point.

"I will definitely be going to the Station more often to learn about coral reefs and Bermuda's air,'' he said. "I had never really attended art galleries before, but now I will be going more, given the chance,'' he said.

But that, like many other intentions, will have to be put on hold for a while because, in October 13, Captain Mussenden will say goodbye to both his job and Bermuda in order to realise a boyhood dream.

"I am going to the University of Kent in England to study law,'' he revealed.

"It is something I have wanted to do since I was a child, but it was a matter of deciding when. I have decided that now is the time to go.'' Acknowledging that leaving the trappings of Government House for the student life will be quite a transition, Capt. Mussenden nonetheless is confident that he is doing the right thing.

"I have had a really fascinating life, and I am grateful for it. My innings at Government house has been truly interesting, and I would encourage anyone in the Regiment to do it, but now I want to make a contribution to the legal profession. My ultimate goal is to practice here.'' And to what does this popular ADC attribute his success? "Be polite, don't take yourself too seriously, have a laugh, and really work hard,'' he responded.

IT'S THE LAW! -- With Government House in the background, Captain Larry Mussenden, outgoing aide-de-camp to the Governor, Lord Waddington, looks forward to a career in law. He will begin his studies at Britain's University of Kent later this month.