Edward VII Memorial Hospital proved to be a treat for staff and patients as well as the Governor.

Accompanied by his wife, Lady Waddington, and an entourage of legislators, nurses and hospital administration, Lord Waddington visited Bermuda's two main care centres yesterday morning.

The event proved to be a success, as patients took delight in meeting their Governor and he in them.

The Governor's first stop was at St. Brendan's Hospital where he met Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade, Mrs. Lois Browne-Evans MP and Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul.

Mr. George Simons, the hospital's administrator, said the tour went along "quite nicely'', except for an interruption when a fire alarm went off halfway through.

Lord Waddington merely took the opportunity to meet more Bermudians. "I met a lot of people I normally wouldn't meet while standing outside during the alarm,'' the Governor said.

Patients of St. Brendan's were anxious to meet Lord Waddington and took pride in showing their achievements while he toured the Industrial Therapy Centre.

Lady Waddington was even presented with Christmas cookies.

Running behind schedule, the Governor arrived at KEMH just after 11 a.m. where he was greeted by Heath Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness, Sen. Yvette Swan and director of Nursing and Patient Services Mrs. Lucille Palmer.

After tea and cakes with the Women's Hospital Auxiliary, Lord and Lady Waddington visited Agape House -- the hospice for terminally ill patients.

The Governor greeted hospice residents with a cheerful smile and a firm handshake, stopping to chat with a few lucky patients.

He made sure to wish everyone -- staff and patients included -- a very Merry Christmas.

As the tour party began the short walk back to the hospital Lord Waddington stopped to greet passers-by and even complimented new mother Rosheena Beek on her two-day old baby, Alruelle.

Not to be eclipsed by her husband, Lady Waddington was also extremely gracious in meeting patients. She is probably more familiar with the hospital as she visits at least once a month.

The young children on Gosling Ward may not have known who the eminent figure in their midst was, but they enjoyed his visit anyway.

Two-year-old Courtney Butcher was even persuaded to remove his thumb from his mouth for Lord Waddington. After entertaining the youngster with a helium-filled balloon, the Governor discussed the child's care with his father.

One of his concerns was whether the children would be able to spend Christmas at home, but after chatting with the nurses he was reassured that quite a few would be able to.

Everyone, including Lord and Lady Waddington, was amazed by the size of two premature babies in the Intensive Care Unit. The Governor commented on tiny infants and wished the mother of one born three months early, the best of luck.

Throughout his visit to the hospital's wards, Lord Waddington tried to greet as many patients as possible, although his friendliness put the visit even more behind schedule.

"I think it is a great privilege to be here,'' he commented while visiting the Cooper Ward.

The Governor was quick to offer a kind word and a big smile to patients and their families. He asked what part of the island they were from, how long their stay in hospital was and if they would be able to make it home for the holidays.

All the patients and their families were eager to chat. At some points during the tour of the hospital wards, Lord Waddington looked thoughtful and just a little pensive, but to the patients he only appeared happy and cheerful.

Towards the end of the tour, the Governor had to be rushed along as he was running way behind schedule, but this did not stop him from wishing all the patients a Merry Christmas and thanking all the nurses for taking time out to show him around.

The maternity ward seemed to be a favourite of Lord and Lady Waddington as they peered through the incubators to gaze at the newborn babies. Plenty of oohs and aahs could be heard.

And the new mothers were only too proud to show off their little bundles of joy.

The Extended Care Unit was the last stop on the tour. Although the patients were busy eating lunch, Lord Waddington still took the opportunity to speak to as many people as possible.

He was especially impressed by a gentlemen in his 80s who was visiting his 102-year-old mother.

"There is never enough time,'' said the Governor. "But I learned a lot and enjoyed every minute of it.'' The patients did too.

GOVERNOR'S VISIT -- Governor Lord Waddington and new friend Courtney Butcher.