South Coast 2003

See Pictures from the tour.
 

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With apologies to Mrs O'Leary Christine One hot day whilst paddling in the sea Christine was hooshed by a child full of glee So she whipped off her wet shorts Hung them out for all to see There'll be a hot time in the vestry tonight Yes! yes! yes! (Authors' names supplied!)

SUMMER  TOUR  2003 A brief review……from Nickie Kenning


So whose idea was it to go on the hottest weekend of the year? But far better than the wettest, although some of us did attempt to get wet inside and out as well if you believe the story of the MD's shorts, or was that the choir mascot fluttering from the vestry window at Aldrington?

We started off with good luck on our side in that the coach driver was one of the old school and really looked after his passengers. He loaded and unloaded the baggage so many times and never mislaid any - I think he deserved a medal by the time we returned. The M25 and M23 passed without problem and we almost got to Aldrington with just one scheduled stop except for Frances' insistence on inspecting the flora alongside the A27 and seeing it so dry deciding to irrigate it, but not without personal injury---Oooo the thorns.

At Aldrington we found St Leonards quite easily and then found the English Channel just down the road. Lunch was taken on the beach, or in the sea if it took your fancy. Back to St Leonards for our concert which was warmly appreciated by the audience with requests for a return visit sometime. The right mixture of music was certainly a key factor in the success of this venture, and having our own accompanist accompanying us a bonus which meant that miracles could be worked, how else could Ruth manage to explain her apparent ability to walk with two left feet??

On then to the Royal George at Shoreham for an evening meal. Full marks to Sean, this time for finding such a suitable venue and determining that the only rain we saw should fall during the partaking of this feast.

On then to Portsmouth for accommodation in the University's Rees Hall, (Now I know what it feels like to go on a SAGA holiday!!) and an enormous breakfast, if you wanted it. I'm told the bar was quite lively, with someone singing Irish Republican songs till quite late!!

	What a gem we found at Wickham. A typical English village, and what a beautiful church at St Nicholas's to sing in. Again we were made to feel so welcome that I'm sure this made all the difference to our renditions there both during choir items and along with the resident choir and congregation.
The village also boasted a fine watering hole in the King's Head, where we lunched well and some of us took a stroll through the quaint and well preserved village to the delightful water meadows.

It seemed so far removed from Ilford! But sadly we had to return, which we did by means of the very picturesque Meon Valley and the rest of the M25, or most of it.

A full and rewarding weekend was the verdict from just about everyone I think and a model of expert and sympathetic planning, well done to all and let's do it again sometime!

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