Many thanks to Sue Phillips who after many trials & tribulations on the phone to Direct Holidays managed to sort out a break to Ibiza. For doing such a grand job we allowed her to bring her other half Doug. It was just a shame that only a few of us managed to go.
The Hotel in Cala Llonga was good - food had to be with chips for breakfast. Our personal waitress at Lunchtime was excellent.
S/ms went on an organised trip to some caves were the brave ones amongst us had to descend 200 steps and come up a very steep 70 steps. The waterfall light show in the caves was good even though it was man made due to the Islands water shortage. The Southern's amongst us felt at home with this restriction. Included in the trip was a visit to a Vineyard the lunch provided was definitely Weight Watches provisions, stale bread / salami & cheese and not much of that. The wine thank goodness flowed rather well so everything was OK with the world. Topsy’s opinion of the trip was expressed as C##P and that we were seen off, for once have to agree with our invisible laundry advisor (does anyone out there remember Topsy & his laundry room) Ibiza town has fortifications and a Cathedral, snag was had to be a mountain goat to reach them. The plan of attack was to go in two parties. Monica led our party consisting of Farmer Geoff, Margaret & Myself. Geoff gave us a lesson on guns on the way up as they were similar to the ones he had learnt on, they looked like they had just come off the Victory. We eventually reached the top were the view was great. Met the other party consisting of Sue,Marie, Sheila & Twinkletoes Arthur who had arrived before us having cheated by following a party of small schoolchildren (aged 4 - 7) up the easy way. Having a choice of going back to the hotel by bus or boat chose the boat in order to get some sea time in. Geoff & Arthur took a brief siesta whilst waiting for the boat to arrive in port.
The next bay to ours was San Eulariar (something like that) Jane Topsy’s daughter came with us together with our much traveled Rev .Newton& his good lady Mary. Once more sea time was engaged in as we came back from there by boat. Must admit Monica’s team leadership was excellent counting & herding us along no dilly dallying was allowed crossing roads etc.
Marie, Jane & Geoff tried the sea out with a paddle.
Every evening a meeting was held in the chosen place and the pews were kept by the Rev. for his flock the strange thing was that the meeting was always held nearest the bar. Marie was persuaded one night to give up her virgin card and get everyone a drink ( as we were all inclusive needed a card).
The trip was a great success meeting with old S/ms & their wives and having the lamps swinging. A lot of black chatting but that’s what Matelows always got up to.
As usual the Wirral group were the last to arrive and leave so were able to see everyone else off Friday morning with lots of waving and blowing of kisses. The Laundry Man, Jane, Sheila & Arthur as usual had the best leaving time 9.15am. Farmer Geoff was the next to go at 11am. Sue,Doug,Monica & Marie left at 6pm but was met at the airport with a surprise letter to say that their flight had been delayed by 6 hours, so they only departed shortly before we got to airport at 1.35am Saturday morning. We arrived home at 6.30am truly knackered and hoping to be fully recovered for our next trip at Bournemouth.

See you all there hopefully

Bill Wright.