Tour Geneva CERN Report |
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School – morning It was no surprise that everyone arrived on time to leave….. Well
except 83! Good driving by 1 got us safely to Cardiff airport. Arriving at Cardiff airport, 1 could not find a parking place until
61 spotted one close to Bridgend. As we left the mini bus the airport bus
came around, but 91, 84, 87, 100 and the two other digits walked the three
miles to the terminal. The rest of the ancients went on the bus … namely
[numberly] 1, 61, 44, 92, 96 101. Airport – Cardiff Having got through security, with only 87 being groped by the
security, 100 produced Berets for all [see website photo], for which 25
produced player numbers on labels which we put on the berets. The tour kitty was invoked for the first time when drinks were to be
had, to which 92 exclaimed, “but we’re flying, we can’t drink!” Two pints
later we were ready for the flight. 91 typified the team mood as he skipped [he is a one!] to the plane.
As we boarded, at the foot of the stairs to the plane, 83 was relieved of his
photographic duties when a fellow passenger took the photo so he would not
have to air brush himself in later. Flight Airport – Amsterdam We landed in Belgium and taxied to the terminal for 2 days!!!!! Flight Amsterdam to Geneva – what did 91 say … “it’s going really well”…..
at which point we were diverted to Lyon. Airport Geneva The plan was for three teams of 4 in the taxis. When a 6 seater
turned up that threw everyone into a panic – but we eventually got to the
hotel – quite a few Euros lighter than we expected and with some good stories
to tell about the reluctance of the taxi drivers to cross the border into the
dark lands of France. Kyriad Hotel Rooming – 1 + 61 / 91 + 100 / 83 + 87 / 44 + 84 / 96 + 101 / 25 + 92
= harmony Midi Pyrenees Restaurant– having got directions to the Restaurant, we
decided to go a different way [101 knew better but no one listened] and
wandered way past where it was. Finally, finding it, we were worried that it
was rather sad looking- but the food was great, the wine very palatable and
the price, extremely reasonable – 100 had to take a double blink to believe
it. Night Clubs – Ten Pin Bowling Arriving at the New Chêne Club, St Genis Pouilly, nightclub we found
that there was no one there! So we had a drink, and found that there was 10-pin
bowling, and the games began …. Bowlers of distinction were 101, 87, 83, 91
and no one else!! The nightclub provided 84 with the chance to be a wallflower and the
rest of us to make up the numbers. Next morning – rain – rain – rain – what to do! 25 contacted Arun
Kamath at CERN and it was decided that the bad weather was in for the day and
that we would go to Geneva on the bus …………. They don’t do buses in St. Genis.
So it was the long walk to the village and attempts by 96 [team French man]
and 25 to get transport to Geneva. Many helpful locals were approached, all
described a vehicle that passed through the village heading for Geneva, but
not in their lifetime, and the Venezuelan barmaid could only offer us a phone
book. There was one guy who would have taken us in his car, but the team had
decided on Pool and Darts …. So we stayed at Charlie’s Bar – 92 was on form
keeping the kitty in check. 87 won the pool tournament, and we don’t know who won the darts – we
do but we’re not telling. The weather brightened up at 1 [pm] and 25 was contacted by the CERN
boys, who arrived in their cars and took us to the Ground to play the game……
we hadn’t drunk tooooo muccchhh;) CERN Ground The game 87 and 96 opened. 96 was cruelly cut short and 44 came in to save the
day…. 16 off 400 overs……… well done that number! The rest did not add up to
much, but the extras were a number in their own right. At least we managed to
see off the 30 overs and they had to bat. As their innings began the gloom
began to descend, and then the weather got bad. The narrowness of the wicket
made tight rope walking a doddle and 25, 91 and 101 struggled to stay on the
mat. The thunderstorm lifted the gloom and the rain descended and we
claimed a draw, but CERN got the Duck out and claimed a win by Duckworth
Lewis – they wish! Match DRAWN. 44 was presented with a cap as most valuable number! 44 also
distinguished himself as team judge, ably assisted in crime by 87. The Barbecue – what a splendid event – thank you to the efforts of all
at CERN, especially the ladies. We were made to feel very welcome, with 61
continuing to score. Saturday Night – a blur of numbers and % proof - back at the Hotel by 9pm [oh yea?] with
our hot drinks so as to be ready for a trip to Geneva the next day and a game
of ‘in … out … when in not out etc…..’ Geneva Sunday morning we were transported to the city by A. Kamath, J.
Osbourn and T. Goodyear [we are eternally grateful]– pictures were taken at
the big ‘water jet thing’ whilst 83 went AWOL. 1 and 91 were caught
philandering and the rest tried to get together for the pics! The Game Catches win matches and we decided not to bother, with either [apart
from 100 who gambolled his way to glory]. They made a good score and we
didn’t. Good efforts from all digits. 84 awarded best player. All digits –numbers - would like to thank CERN for their unparalleled
hospitality. Journey home Delayed at Amsterdam – 91 said something again. At Cardiff airport the Mini bus threw a 666 but 1 got it going and we
arrived safely back home. Tour Jobs 91 captained well – good speeches and excellent team spirit. 87 made a move to Judges assistant when transport evaporated. 83 clicked away to his hearts content – hoped to click on the flight
but the shutter came down. 100 – beret good man negotiated with the bouncers at the nightclub
and sold them some coffee, allegedly. 44 – stalwart with bat, but came in to his own when dishing out tour
justice. 61 – master of the scorebook and took great delight in explaining
this to the ladies at the barbecue. 92 – money was never an issue when at the appropriate times it was
required – it made for an easy come easy go Euro experience. 96 – toothpaste provided for all, but found his niche as team
linguist. 84 – decorated the walls of the nightclub as a wallflower but was not
needed to administer any intrusive medical interventions. 1--kept the wicket and would not let anyone else have it – as a
guiding light missed the left turn to Midi Pyrenees 101- found his niche in very difficult circumstances – an asset to
the team as an all rounder – skating being a strength 25 – got everyone else to do the work – result! Thank you everyone for making this tour such a
success. LBW 25
7.
Quentin Jones
= 96
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