In early September (seems an age ago now), on a sunny Friday morning, 40 members of the bowls club (34 bowlers plus 6 non-bowlers) set off for the Isle of Wight on our annual club tour. We left the bowls club at 9.30am and were in Portsmouth ready for our crossing to Fishbourne. A smooth crossing and soon we were heading for our first game in Shanklin.
We had a splendid afternoon in the sunshine and narrowly lost the match 105 – 119. After some welcome drinks in their club house, we set off to check-in at the Channel View Hotel in Shanklin. A quick wash and brush up and we were all down for a tasty dinner at 7pm. This was followed by some entertainment in the bar/ballroom area.
Next morning after breakfast, members wandered along the seafront or into town for a looksee. In the afternoon we set off for Cowes Medina BC for our second match of the weekend. Their green was superb, and the members were very welcoming. Again, a pleasant afternoon bowling which we lost 113 - 119. More drinks in the club house and a return to the hotel.
That evening after dinner, Chris Champion ran a Quiz for us with many and varied categories to scratch our heads over.
On Sunday morning we traditionally play Crazy Golf in Crazy Hats. This year was no exception. On this occasion Pirates Cove Crazy Golf was down the hill from our hotel, so with everyone wearing their hat we marched down to play, much to the amusement of locals and holiday makers alike. There were several holes-in-one, and Chrissie Lyford and Dave Dawson even scored 2! but the overall winner was Glyn Lyford with a respectable score of 41. The best team score was by “Billy Boobs”. I had asked our coach driver Chris along to judge the hats for me as an impartial person. Members had put effort into either making or purchasing hats for the occasion. The eventual winner was Billy Cowx who not only had an interesting hat made from a metal vegetable sieve, but he had everyone around him in stitches with his balloons! Say no more, see the pictures and judge for yourself! Commended for their hats were Jane Alexander, Wendy Champion and Pat Dunn.
We were back on the coach and off to Camphill BC for our afternoon match. Now this was interesting. It was situated under the walls of the old Isle of Wight prison. However, their green was more of a ploughed field than flat green. All we could do was bowl the bowl and hope for the best most of the time! In bowls speak there were “no consistent lines” to find. We ended up losing 91 – 99. Not a devastating loss and we followed up with drinks in the club house and a good natter.
Back to the hotel for dinner which was preceded by our prize-giving for Crazy Golf, Silly hats and a flutter on “Guess the match score” won by Nick Mitchell. After dinner there was a lady singer in the ballroom, so we had a little boogie until 10pm!
On Monday morning after a hearty full English breakfast, we were back on the coach heading for our return ferry crossing at Fishbourne. Once on the mainland we travelled to Chichester for our last match. This was Ladies Day, where all skips were female of course. Chichester BC was set just outside the city wall in an idyllic setting, and their green was perfect, and although their club house was very small, the members were very welcoming.
It was a lovely sunny afternoon, and everyone got to play either a half or whole game. This time we managed a brilliant win of 111-63. A good time was had by all. More drinks and farewells and then back on the coach for our last stop in West Hoathly at The Cat. Andrew very kindly opens on a Monday to give us a 2-course meal on our return. It is a last chance to re-live the events of the weekend and say goodbye to our bowls friends. It also reminds us that the bowls season is fast coming to an end! That said, we are already planning next year’s tour to Paignton, watch this space!
Pat Dunn