BOGNOR REGIS BOWLING CLUB- PORTUGESE TOUR 17-24 MARCH 2010
OR RODS PORTUGESE JAUNT
DAY 1
As 21 members of Bognor Regis B.C (Including one or two friends from other Clubs) Travelled to Tavira via Faro airport to join its 22nd and tour organising member, Norman Burchfell, already ensconced in his Taviran apartment , one of its number , 69 year old ,soon to be 70 year old player Rod Lincoln caused himself anxiety and his travelling companions as he had a day to forget. Meanwhile back in Portugal the advanced party numbering six brave souls who caught the 06.45 Gatwick to Faro Easyjet shuttle had already spent a sun filled day at the Pedras da Rainha complex in Cabanas close by to Tavira. I being one of those advanced group drove to the airport with Norman to collect a Minibus and the rest of the party. We were met at the gate by harassed travellers telling Rods tale of woe thus far. He had got to Gatwick only to discover that he had his wife's passport and not his own. He claimed the fifth amendment and that his wife had packed for him. So an emergency call to Diane , the aforementioned wife, and a Grand Prix like drive to Gatwick saw Rod receive the correct passport barely one minute before take off. He made it , but only just. Poor Rod and poor Diane who had a less hurried return trip to Bognor . So on arrival at Faro the party took charge of two hire cars and two 9 seater Minibuses our transports for the tour. Did we all arrive safely at Pedras . Well yes but Rods car was minus part of its wing mirror and left a few harassed passengers with brown trousers.
So the tour had started in Ernest. The complex was satisfactory without being grand and opulent . What it lacked in paint and soft furnishings it made up with excellent hospitality and fine food.
Day 2
A long drive to Alvor (1hr 15 mins) to the Santo Antonio Lawn Bowling Club. The journey was fine, all drivers in tandem . We arrived without incident and received a tremendous welcome from our hosts. The weather very warm and a fast challenging green. We started at 11.00am and played through to the finish which found us wanting in most departments. Only Derek Fords trio won and the score was 91-159 , a 68 shot defeat. The Captain Dave Parker was humble in defeat . We were given a wonderful glass trophy to remember St Antonio. We were then royally treated to a feast which was enjoyed by all. There was an uneventful, careful drive back and a relaxing evening at Pedras where we had a wonderful meal together the highlight of which for many was the Prawn salad. (Giant Prawns)
DAY 3
There was a day off for the drivers as were played at home to the local side Pedras da Rainha. Beryl Charlesworth was Captain of the day and saw her team draw a fine match officially 121 all but our reckoning showed we had lost by one shot. Bad maths by the opposing skip. But we accepted the draw gracefully. The green was heavier than the day before but much truer. This had been a 10 am start so after the lunch at the club house the team had most of the afternoon and evening to explore the local environs including the building works on the sea front at Cabanas or the delights of the Jolly Sailor . As the week progressed a good deal of bonding was going on with friends and colleagues. There's nothing like being close to people to get to know them better.
DAY 4
Saturday 20th March saw the convoy wending its way down the excellent highways of Portugal to Almancil to the wonderful Valverde Bowls Club. It was a 2.00 start so we didn’t set off until 11.30 am giving us a leisurely morning and big breakfast at Pedras.
Before the match we dined at the club to a large two course meal prefaced by a salad of epic proportions. One plate would have been sufficient for two or three people.
Obviously there were lots of left over's paralleling the feeding of the five thousand. The match was played in good spirits and resulted in Captain Ned's team losing by 113-134 with Derek Fords trio again being the only winning rink.
The trip home was circuitous thanks to Normans mystery tour of Almancil and District. The evening was spent in small groups doing their own thing.