BOGNOR ARE CHAMPIONS ONCE AGAIN
3RD ALGARVE TOUR - 16TH TO 23RD MARCH 2011
We arrived at Faro Airport on Wednesday 16th April on time and we were settled in to our chalets at Pedras Da Rainha by late morning. That evening we assembled for a much appreciated ‘Welcome Dinner’.
The following morning we prepared ourselves for the first Bowls match
to be held at Alvor, situated some sixty miles away in the western
Algarve.
Unfortunately, early on route one of the three mini buses broke down with Jonathan, Pauline and Mary on board to await a replacement vehicle. They regrettably had to miss a good fixture and the excellent luncheon provided by Alvor.
We lost this match by four rinks to two, not bad considering our lack of practice playing on grass. As it was St Patrick’s day several of us headed that evening to the Irish Bar in Tavira for a ‘good old Irish sing-song’ needless to say washed down with plenty of Guinness!
On Friday, after some shopping and sight-seeing in the morning we had a
‘Round-robin’ with Pedras players in the afternoon. Of the forty-eight
players the makeshift team of Norman Burchfell, Joe Gilpin, and two
Pedras members we were the unlikely prizewinners.
On Saturday,we went across the Spanish border to play at Canela -
always a popular visit. We won by four rinks to two. We had our’ Gala
Dinner’ that evening and were joined by seventy-five Pedras members and
friends. An excellent evening was had by all ending with the Bognorians
being the last to leave following a great sing-song and the
introduction of Ted Love’s new ‘Tour’ song !
On Sunday, we returned to Vilamoura and regrettably, once again failed to beat them, going down four rinks to two.
On Monday we made the long journey to the western Algarve to play a
newly formed club , Vila da Luz on their newly laid carpet rink.
Several of us had difficulty acclimatising to this but did well to win
three of the six rinks.
Tuesday was Founder’s Day at Pedras and much to the disappointment of
the Home team, Bognor once again got their name on the cup.
On Wednesday prior to our evening departure we had an early game at
Tavira County and secured our third tour win by four rinks to two.
Tommy Gaskin was presented with the Tour winner’s prize (He had a very
strong tour) whilst unbelievably, President Terry Rextsrew won the
‘Booby’ prize for the second year running!
We all had a final snack meal before departing for Faro Airport relishing how lucky we had been with the weather, sunny days and chilly evenings all week.