Blandford RFC 2005 Tour to Barcelona
Sponsored by A R Bugg Construction
A
tour of excellent's in both organising and management of the event, well done Jo
Grinter and John Gillingham.
Friday
15th April, Blandford to Lloret de Mar and the Casino Royal
Hotel.
A quick meeting and agenda check then off for some good food, for some, and burgers for others, then a taste of the local nectar.
Saturday:
A good breakfast followed by the tours first court hearing, this was held
by the resident Judge
(John Peniston) on the edge of the swimming pool where fines were issued for a few minor offences.
Then off to Barcelona for a two and half hour visit of the local
hostelries prior to the first match against Quimic Equip Rugby Club (see match
report from Kevin – Picture Gallery from the Lens).
Following the game, presentations were exchanged after which we were provided with refreshments while the lads entertained the hosts with a beer race, which we lost and some good English rugby songs lead by Gilly.
More
presentations were made giving us our first taste of a Bull Fight
followed by a chance glimpse of a strange old English habit, which the judge had
been trying to stop, “socks worn with sandals”. Let
this be a lesson to all.
A
great day even if we didn’t win and only one bum note to be seen from the
opposition.
Sunday and off to Barcelona nursing the effects from the previous night (or earlier morning) for an earlier than planned match with Rugby Club CORNELLA. A sports stadium with little shade, and a very hard pitch, the Blandford team changed from the previous days line up due to injuries and the retirement of Willow. A hard match (see match report from Kevin – Picture Gallery by the Lens). The game was followed by another presentation of the Blandford RFC shield to their team captain.
Our hosts also had a good line in tee shirts at 5 euros a time, all monies were to support the mini and youth rugby teams. We made our way back to Lloret de Mar, for Judge Peniston's afternoon session in court, with the club’s elders in assistance (Steve Crocker & Bryan Burrows). There were some serious crimes committed so the penalties were hard.
However, with the sun still high in the sky and the Mediterranean calling, we head out for the infamous beach bar “The Piccadilly” for some cocktails and watch the Saracens v Leicester match. The day ended again with some good food and the normal general debauchery at the Irish bar, but wait Gilly has an announcement……. The coach will be collecting us tomorrow morning at 7.30 am to take us back to the airport, so get some sleep………….. or find your own way home
Monday, All present and correct and back to Blandford