Over the past number of years we have often reported back on our tours from a group perspective so this time we asked Terry Basson, one of our new members this year to provide some feedback on his first club tour.

 "It all began during a casual conversation with Chris McGinn telling us about the Alkmaar connection. We showed interest and before we could say 'Jack Robinson', a very detailed email about the trip arrived from Diana Lockwood.

For Di Greenaway it was a first visit to the Netherlands, and my only experience was at 18 years old during my Army National service when I arrived on a troop ship suffering the effects of a very rough sea crossing!  But, empowered by the detailed information we decided to go and with ease booked the flights from Bristol and the Grand Hotel Alkmaar as suggested.

From that moment on the friendliness of members of The City of Bath Petanque Club shone through. The group's inclusive nature, always evident, started with a cheese and wine get together hosted by Diana, during which many of our questions were answered, and continued in Alkmaar when our doubts about being newcomers were quickly dispersed.

We played a Melee at L'Autre Cheminon Saturday afternoon and the Dutch made us very welcome and also gave each of us a cheese. A beautiful engraved glass plaque was presented to the club by Diana, and to complete the great afternoon we sang a chorus of Run Rabbit Run with the Dutch joining in!

With an element of anxiety the open doubles tournament loomed on Sunday at the Celeritas Petanque Club.All Bath pairs played 6 games.  Some won 3, some 2 and we managed 1 with which we were delighted. It was a great challenge as we have only been playing for a few months."

For pictures of Terry's trip go to www.bathboules.co.uk

Having defeated the Mighty Crondall PC 4-1 in October the club progressed to the 3rd round where they played Hampshire Rose. With a number of players unavailable due to other commitments, the six players representing the City of Bath played exceptionally well winning both the triples 13 to 12 taking over 1.5 hours,in both pouring rain and a bitterly cold wind. In both matches we had been 8-12 down coming back to win the games in fine style.

The doubles matches however proved to be a step too far and we finally succumbed in all 3 with the conditions finally getting the better of us. Both teams retired to the warmth of the Harington Club for refreshments and to dry off with the city of Bath players reflecting on the end to a good season .

Miscellaneous Events

Alexandra Park .

A work party laid 3 tonnes of gravel this month to protect the underlay of large stones . This will bed down over the winter and be ready for the new season.

Winter Doubles

We have 5 City of Bath Teams entered this year, The Bears , Alexandra Park ,Larks, L'Arc en Ciel  and the present leaders of the league of 23 teams Sham Boules. Great fun and a good standard of play, we wish them all well.

Dinner