Post by middlepillar on Feb 22, 2005 12:20:35 GMT
Diary of a trip to Rouen
You are probably aware that I am a member of a French Lodge, I also occasionally produce a newsletter for our 'friends'. Just looking through some old copies I saw this article from a couple of years ago, it might amuse you or perhaps give you a 'taste' for some Continental' masonry.
In May 2002 I decided to try and organise a coach trip for the friends of Jeanne d'Arc to attend our meeting in October, I enlisted the help of another member and this is our diary of events leading up to and during the weekend..........................
June15. Confirm booking of coach 3 choices 16 seater, 35 seater and 55 seater need to confirm which coach required by Aug 31st.
Aug 31. Confirm 16 seater coach booked for 12 people (remove back row of seats for luggage).
Oct 16. One friend drops out due to family health problems. Telephone call from coach company to inform us their 16 seater has broken down , but not to worry will hire a replacement.
Oct 19. Another friends' wife drops out due to health problems. Telephone call from coach company to inform us there driver is ill and won't be coming, do not have a replacement driver so Declan volunteers to do the driving as well as provide the sandwiches, the orange juice and Champagne to make bucks fizz for the journey !!
Oct 20. At 0530 I receive a telephone call from one of the party to say he has forgotten his passport and won't make it to London to rendezvous with the coach but will meet us at the Eurotunnel check in area! I telephone Declan to inform him, at 0600 Declan rings me to get directions to my place and we spend 15 mins guiding him to Carshalton from Norbury. 0630 we are on the road and believe it or not our friend (now with a passport ) rings to say he is at Ashford station. We arrange to pick him up on the motorway which is a success!
With all the party intact at 0830 we are on the train and are starting to get in the holiday mood, I even manage a small chapter of improvement at the back of the coach.
We arrive at the Ibis at 1330 and arrange to leave for Cleon at 1600. We are lucky to have space to take a few extra companions and leave the hotel with a full load. Then disaster ! Not only is it raining bucketsful but Rouen is in the grip of major traffic chaos. It takes us 30 mins to travel less than 2 miles, and that is with the aid of going down a one way street the wrong way ! (a brother who was following refused - I hope you have forgiven me ). We eventually arrive at Cleon at 1755 ready for the 1800 start impeccable timing by Declan !
The Chapter meeting starts almost on time, with only a few companions late. The festive board is a success and everyone retires after a hectic day.
Oct 21. As normal a very relaxed day with everyone deciding to do their own thing, most had a walk around the beautiful old town and stop somewhere for lunch. We leave the Ibis at 1430 to make the committee meeting, again with a full load. The visitors had noticed the well stocked bar at the centre ! At 1600 we have the committee meeting, I will not go in to detail but I cannot think of another occasion when I have experienced such a flow of emotions , eventually the proceedings for the ceremony were confirmed and everything went great. We all had a drink in the bar and then back to the Ibis for dinner. Some members went straight to the Ibis others decided to go via Le Havre (almost!). I am glad to say Bob and friends turned up in time for the main course. We had a lovely meal with Chris J singing the Masters song. Glyn H then sang a couple of beautiful songs to finish of the evening, it was great ( I know I am biased ).
A few people didn't want the evening to end so we decided to sit up talking until 06.30 A great end to an incredible day.
Oct 22. 10.30 and raring to go ! we all assemble for the trip home and leave the Ibis at 11.00. We all say our good-bye's and some of us notice that one of the brethren isn't looking too good ( Martin informs us that he is suffering from Rouen Malaise ) and is giving a very good impression of Lurch from the Adams family. ( The result of a close encounter with a bottle of benedictine ) We leave the hotel hoping he makes it back home in one piece ! All the coach party decide they want to go to Montrueil for lunch so we decide to try the Caveau restaurant.
There were so many brethren and partners in the place we had the entire basement to ourselves ( 21 sat down to dine ) and we were again entertained by Glyn who sang a couple of melodies, Roses of Picardie brought the house down. After a wonderful lunch we had a stroll around the walled town and then left to catch the train, ( on time after the normal rush around the Eurotunnel terminal shopping ). The coach arrived back in Carshalton at 2100 with an exhausted but happy crowd! the last people were dropped off at Kings Cross at 2200. All that was left was to park up the bus and collapse. Declan, maybe we can do it again some time ?!!!
You are probably aware that I am a member of a French Lodge, I also occasionally produce a newsletter for our 'friends'. Just looking through some old copies I saw this article from a couple of years ago, it might amuse you or perhaps give you a 'taste' for some Continental' masonry.
In May 2002 I decided to try and organise a coach trip for the friends of Jeanne d'Arc to attend our meeting in October, I enlisted the help of another member and this is our diary of events leading up to and during the weekend..........................
June15. Confirm booking of coach 3 choices 16 seater, 35 seater and 55 seater need to confirm which coach required by Aug 31st.
Aug 31. Confirm 16 seater coach booked for 12 people (remove back row of seats for luggage).
Oct 16. One friend drops out due to family health problems. Telephone call from coach company to inform us their 16 seater has broken down , but not to worry will hire a replacement.
Oct 19. Another friends' wife drops out due to health problems. Telephone call from coach company to inform us there driver is ill and won't be coming, do not have a replacement driver so Declan volunteers to do the driving as well as provide the sandwiches, the orange juice and Champagne to make bucks fizz for the journey !!
Oct 20. At 0530 I receive a telephone call from one of the party to say he has forgotten his passport and won't make it to London to rendezvous with the coach but will meet us at the Eurotunnel check in area! I telephone Declan to inform him, at 0600 Declan rings me to get directions to my place and we spend 15 mins guiding him to Carshalton from Norbury. 0630 we are on the road and believe it or not our friend (now with a passport ) rings to say he is at Ashford station. We arrange to pick him up on the motorway which is a success!
With all the party intact at 0830 we are on the train and are starting to get in the holiday mood, I even manage a small chapter of improvement at the back of the coach.
We arrive at the Ibis at 1330 and arrange to leave for Cleon at 1600. We are lucky to have space to take a few extra companions and leave the hotel with a full load. Then disaster ! Not only is it raining bucketsful but Rouen is in the grip of major traffic chaos. It takes us 30 mins to travel less than 2 miles, and that is with the aid of going down a one way street the wrong way ! (a brother who was following refused - I hope you have forgiven me ). We eventually arrive at Cleon at 1755 ready for the 1800 start impeccable timing by Declan !
The Chapter meeting starts almost on time, with only a few companions late. The festive board is a success and everyone retires after a hectic day.
Oct 21. As normal a very relaxed day with everyone deciding to do their own thing, most had a walk around the beautiful old town and stop somewhere for lunch. We leave the Ibis at 1430 to make the committee meeting, again with a full load. The visitors had noticed the well stocked bar at the centre ! At 1600 we have the committee meeting, I will not go in to detail but I cannot think of another occasion when I have experienced such a flow of emotions , eventually the proceedings for the ceremony were confirmed and everything went great. We all had a drink in the bar and then back to the Ibis for dinner. Some members went straight to the Ibis others decided to go via Le Havre (almost!). I am glad to say Bob and friends turned up in time for the main course. We had a lovely meal with Chris J singing the Masters song. Glyn H then sang a couple of beautiful songs to finish of the evening, it was great ( I know I am biased ).
A few people didn't want the evening to end so we decided to sit up talking until 06.30 A great end to an incredible day.
Oct 22. 10.30 and raring to go ! we all assemble for the trip home and leave the Ibis at 11.00. We all say our good-bye's and some of us notice that one of the brethren isn't looking too good ( Martin informs us that he is suffering from Rouen Malaise ) and is giving a very good impression of Lurch from the Adams family. ( The result of a close encounter with a bottle of benedictine ) We leave the hotel hoping he makes it back home in one piece ! All the coach party decide they want to go to Montrueil for lunch so we decide to try the Caveau restaurant.
There were so many brethren and partners in the place we had the entire basement to ourselves ( 21 sat down to dine ) and we were again entertained by Glyn who sang a couple of melodies, Roses of Picardie brought the house down. After a wonderful lunch we had a stroll around the walled town and then left to catch the train, ( on time after the normal rush around the Eurotunnel terminal shopping ). The coach arrived back in Carshalton at 2100 with an exhausted but happy crowd! the last people were dropped off at Kings Cross at 2200. All that was left was to park up the bus and collapse. Declan, maybe we can do it again some time ?!!!