by Andy & Jon W
Today is divided between the early and the late risers. WCB’s dynamic duo, Sioban and Mike, have pre-arranged an early breakfast for 5.45am and are off to Ypres on the 7.00am train to visit the Menin Gate WW1 Memorial. Jon W is also up early, awakened by the sun shining under the curtains – typical – the day we go home, the sun shines! At half past seven, the breakfast room is full of Germans, but different to yesterday’s – the red polo shirts must have scared them off. There is a long queue for food – these people are so slow! For heavens sake make your mind up. Yes the little containers with a cow on the front are butter! No wonder they get up three hours before their coach leaves. Those breakfasting later report fewer delays.
For those not booked on crack of dawn excursions, the morning is spent ‘at leisure’ in Ghent, shopping, taking photos, dozing or seeing the sights, including the rather formidable mediaeval Gravensteen fortress complete with slightly intriguing museum – the displays seem to pose more questions than they answer about the history of this imposing building. By 11:30, Sioban and Mike are back from their sightseeing and having coffee in Café Rigioletto and others are contemplating an early lunch before we commence the journey home.
We board the coach at 1.30pm, having loaded our suitcases and uniform. Robert the coach driver seems in a good mood as we head out of Ghent and through the fields of Flanders. Everyone is very quiet on the coach and we realise that Andy has not spoken for at least 45 minutes. Resisting the temptation to rush over and check his pulse, we discover that most of the coach is in fact asleep and Andy is reading. We make a note to bring a book to rehearsals for him in future.
After an uneventful journey, we arrive in Calais early and are fortunately able to catch an earlier ferry than planned at 4:10. The crossing is a little rougher than the way out and there are reports of at least one person feeling a little nauseous, but that doesn’t prevent some of the party gathering in the bar to ensure they cram as much ‘socialising’ as possible into our brief trip!
Everyone seems in good spirits as we disembark at Dover and set off back to Woodley. Following a brief stop at Clacket Lane services, the gods of the M25 smile benignly on us and we encounter no problems at all, arriving back at the lockup at 7:30pm to greet our friends and family. Everyone is glad to be home in sunny Woodley and it seems that a good time has been had by all.
Woodley’s first international adventure has been a success – it’s been a good trip with a brilliant concert, nice food, excellent company, delicious chocolate and great beer…now…where shall we go next…?
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