There’s no stopping for the Express Train now.

 

There’s no stopping for the Express Train now.

 

Now entering the final busy stretch in the lead up to Morocco and the AGM, Barry started April with a trip to one of the newer Associations with Portugal’s AGM held in Porto.

He started early in the morning but it was noticed that Ryanair had messed up so he had to fly from Gate 59 at the airport rather than 41. Don’t they know who he is!!! Anyway, on his arrival in Portugal he was taken down to the River Douro amongst some absolutely lovely scenery to have a lunch with everyone on the pre-tour by the river. From there it was onto the Sandeman port winery where Barry generously gave his hat and cloak to some old bloke in return for a glass of port. They had a few glasses of port to taste and then they bought a few more. Finally leaving the port cellars the group made their way back to town for an excellent gala night.

 

Saturday morning was the AGM and Barry took greetings from the International Board to the meeting. It was only a small affair because there is only one club in Portugal and unfortunately, they don’t have Round Table anymore, but the group are good and enjoying the fellowship of 41 club. After the AGM came a tour around the town of Porto. It’s a town in a gorge with lots of lovely bridges over the river and they had a stop in a restaurant there and an excellent afternoon. In the evening it was down to a traditional Portuguese restaurant where there was a tasty meal and singing from a trio playing traditional Portuguese music. Barry stayed on doing more sightseeing around the town during the Sunday before leaving early Monday morning. His comment on his return was that it was a top event with great food and he made some good new friends out there.

 

After a break for Easter where he spent some time at home with the family. The next trip was off to Denmark.  Rachel went with him this time and having travelled early in the week they were home hosted at the house of Frank and Helle Nissen who are 94 twinning friends. They had a busy two days visiting a farm with lots of lambs, a horse stables and the Wetlands to see migrating birds. Then it was up in the air in an old Chipmunk plane as Frank is a pilot. This was one of the highlights of the trip.  They had parties on both nights with the World 94 twinning group from Tønder RT/OT club. Too much to eat and drink!!

 

Barry and Rachel then made their way to the AGM weekend which was in Billund, which is the place where Legoland is and where Lego was first founded. They even stayed in the Legoland Hotel. It was a big party from Denmark Old Tablers and Tangent - approaching 350 people - which was a record number. Everything was extremely well organised and Barry addressed the AGM on behalf of the Board and was well received - or so he said! Another event seeing old friends and making new ones. There were house parties on the Friday night, a trip into Legoland on Saturday afternoon and then on Saturday was the gala which was a very formal affair including the handover of Presidential jewels. On Sunday Rachel and Barry had another trip round Legoland buying some stuff for the grandchildren.

 

Next stop was much closer to home and the GB&I AGM in Liverpool. For those who weren’t there, or don’t know, Liverpool is a very vibrant city. It sports two of most things, two cathedrals, two tunnels and two well known football teams, which as incoming GB&I President Wynn Parry says are Everton and Everton reserves! It is also the home of many fantastic musicians but dominated by The Beatles. The weekend started with  a very breezy boat trip for the “Ferry across the Mersey” welcome party with 290 people trying to cram up against the 3 radiators on board! The theme of the weekend, “You’ll Never Drink Alone” became clearer as the night went on. 
On Friday many people went either on an organised tour of a Fred Olsen cruise ship or to plenty of sightseeing opportunities around and lots of people took in the famous Cavern Club for live music in the afternoon. A quick change and it was off to the Gala Dinner in the magnificent St. George’s Hall where over 450 of us sat down for a sumptuous meal, minimal speeches and lots of dancing. Saturday saw the AGM’s of both 41 Club and Tangent where Barry not only gave his “Full Steam Ahead” presentation but held his own in lively debate. 

Conference would not be the same without the final night fancy dress party, this time to a theme of Merseybeats. Lots of Beatles costumes, Fairies across the Mersey, Police and a wonderful group parading as the “Octopuses garden”. There was also

one strange sight of a man who bore a strong resemblance to Rasputin. Not sure who that was but I don’t think Rasputin had a pony tail! A Beatles style band regaled us with many well known songs that had participants dancing and singing into the early hours before a large number retired to the bars for a last goodnight.

 

Home on Sunday but with a quick turnround. On Monday Barry and Rachel set off for the next leg of their travels and a bit of a holiday. I will report in the next blog on the AGM in Mauritius. Have a good trip Barry and "Full Steam Ahead"