Tour News

Monday saw us head off on tour. Our first stop was Burnham on Sea, which was a great stop we found last year. Due to the heavy traffic it was decided to head straight to the match at Dawlish Marina B C. Food had been laid on, so the coach skippered by Paul would take the luggage to hotel as we played. This was the REVENGE TOUR as this was the only defeat we had on our last time in Dawlish! The WIN of 6 Rinks to 1 and a points win of 64 was all the more satisfying. Hospitality from Dawlish Marina was second to none and games played in a great spirit. The Coach picked everyone up and headed for the Langstone Cliff Hotel a venue we knew well from our Tour 2 years ago. Then back at the hotel , (as the day had been sunny; lulling us into a sense of false security) a leisurely evening was had by everyone. Looking forward to Kings B C the next day. Si ended up with Trevor Clark

Tuesday had most tourists having a morning at leisure. Some decided to go RIDING as per the Gallery pictures. Off then to Kings B C. Our luck seemed to have run out this year as the game was played amid rain and blowy conditions. The Game eventually being abandoned at 14 ends, one rink managed 18 ends. But we lost, only winning on 2 Rinks, loosing on 5. Score 81 to 107 lost by 28 points. The coach was quieter than Monday going home. The chant at Liverpool FC from the KOP would have been “YOU ONLY SING WHEN YOU’RE WINNING!” Back at the hotel we got ourselves ready for our nightly free drink and our singsong by our 2 guitar aficionados Pete Litchfield and Tony O’Neil affectionally know as Tony O. Great night of music and the rehearsal for the choir to back Bob Clark in our rendition of “ A BOWLER AIN’T A BOWLER”. A sea shanty with lyrics by Pete Litchfield. Then off to the Restaurant for our meal ( food at Langstone Cliff Excellent!!), ready for the onslaught of another day. Si ended up with Darren Rosser

Wednesday was an early rise and breakfast, as 2 hour boat trip around the ENGLISH RIVIERA was beckoning. Leaving from Paignton. Those who went, saw showers and sea a bit choppy to start, but the birds and views made up for it. But the piece de resistance had to be the WAVING Seal as we entered one of the stops on our journey. Or Sal’s Pole dance on the boat TAKE YOUR PICK!!! On Landing we headed to Torbay Country Club who have 2 Greens, so 9 rinks were possible giving 36 of our bowlers a chance to play. Weather again mixed but improved as games went on. What a day, Great Club, Great Company and game played in a Great spirit, We won by 6 Rinks to 3 and a shot difference of 28. However as their Captain of the day pointed out! One of our number. A lady had bowled a wrong bias and had sworn on a couple of occasions. This she felt merited a point reduction of 28 points. Therefore a draw was in order. Bob Clark our Captain of the day for all our games replied by singing “A BOWLER AIN’T A BOWLER” with his choir doing the Chorus. Bob was getting the hurry up from Ian Day as the coach was approaching. But as a seasoned professional who has been treaded the boards for many years he finished with time to spare. Torbay B C are coming to Worcester next year on tour. Even if it’s only to get their revenge, we would love to see them again. as we said GREAT CLUB!! Back at the hotel for our nightly feed and a light LIBATION! ( If you believe that you’ll believe anything). Si had an eventful evening with Mike and Teresa Ames,.

Thursday saw the Last day of the Tour and the Annual CRAZY GOLF Tournament. As you can tell from GALLERY pictures the balls didn’t always go in the hole.. The winner was Pete Litchfield followed closely by Ian Day and with a score of 64 was John Doody who was at the rear. It was a very testing coarse. At times Clubs were thrown to the ground in exasperation! And the old CLUB FOOT was used as well!!! We then proceeded after the rain had subsided to our last match at Topsham B C. There Green we had been told was the BEST in the COUNTY. Well truth be told it was probably one of the best Greens we’ve played on in a long time. Some Greens are Good. This one was Excellent!! Great club and very good company. We won on 4 Rinks, drew on 1 and lost on 2. Sore 108 to 99 a win by 9 points.. Pete Litchfield was presented with Si. We said our fond farewells and headed back to the hotel for our last night which consisted of the Dueling Guitars alias Pete Litchfield and Tony O. Our free drink and dinner followed by GOOD COP Ian Day who gives out the prizes for all the competitions. And the BAD COP who dished out all the fines from the tour. The bad cop this year, I had to think long and hard who nobody would suspect. So Trevor Clark was chosen. Trevor gave everyone a chance of IMMUNITY by putting £3 or more on the plate going round to save themselves from more excessive fines. All monies go to Midlands Air Ambulance. The fines ranged from Bus passes 4 years out of date, Leaving your walking stick behind at Bowling club to leaving pills on coach in you bowls bag, Thank God for understanding driver Paul. And Carer extraordinaire Paul Whitty. We had a kidnap demand for £10 for Si our mascot. When I mentioned we had brought a list of mobile numbers with us and the ransom contained a mobile number to ring, Dave Yendole was seen trying to leave the Dinning room. Si was returned by one of the receptionists where he had been deposited. We Raised £250 for Air Ambulance. Can we thank everybody who bought their IMUNITY. One more person to thank. Annette an unsung hero who collates all the scores for the GAMES FORECAST and many other thing as well.

This is our Last Tour we will manage. We being Ian and Annette and Pete and Marg. We have enjoyed the challenges of putting these Tours together over the past 5 years. We hope you support Rob Lincoln and Lyn and George Glaze in their venture into the world of TOURS!!

Thank you all again for your support over the past 5 years. And thank you all for your generous gifts to Ian and Annette and Marg and myself. And finally may we say.

“IT’S GOOD BYE FROM ME AND GOOD BYE FROM HIM”. Demo

Pictures in GALLERY under SOCIAL