Posted by The Big Gay Bare on 18 July 2007 at 16:25:31:
Gentlemen,
Details regarding our tour to 2008 are starting to firm up. Firstly we can
confirm that this year's tour will be to Cartagena in southern Spain and we
shall depart the tarmac of Bristol on Friday the 9th May 2008 returning on
the following Monday, 12th May 2008. This is a week later than last year in
order that we may win back what is rightfully ours, namely the 7s title the
weekend before. Those interested in beating the opposition that day should
contact Brett sometime.
The full itinerary for our weekend in the sun can now be revealed. There
shall be the traditional meet up in whatever form of cross-dressing madness
chief numpty Tom Shaw persuades people is to be this year's tour theme!
From there we shall take the coach to Bristol International and check in
for our flight to southern Spain. Once we land we shall take our new
Spanish coach to our hotel in Cartagena.
On the Saturday we have again be invited to join a 4 way round robin
tournament hosted by RC Cartagena, currently the teams invited are
ourselves, RC Cartagena (naturally) as well as two local sides, one
potentially an ex-pats side. After our victorious conquering of all and
sun-dried on the pitch and at the bar, we shall adjourn to the local beach
where we have been invited to a beach party/BBQ, where again we shall prove
ourselves as the sun does its daily impression of a $2 lady of the night.
Given that Ollie, little JC and Jerry managed to break themselves before
the second night and most of us were half way there on the Sunday in
Antwerp, there will be just the one standard game on the Sunday against yet
further local opposition. From there we shall retain our run of sweeping
victories, before taking on their bar in the final showdown. We cannot lose.
On the Monday there shall be the usual tour wind down in a local bar
soaking up the last of the sunshine, local beer and dago speak. Once we
have checked out and Mark Johnson has finished his cappuccino we will be
able to take off to the airport to jet home, last one back to the club has
to share with the Great Jimmy Cansell in 2009.
To be part of this 15-20 times in a lifetime opportunity all you need to do
is part with the sum of £330. This figure is a generous over-estimate of the cost for tour. We expect the cost to drop to under £300 by the time we leave, at which point the extra money will either not be collected or be used as a tour drinking pot. However we do not want to advertise a price we cannot stick to.
As I stated in my previous emails payment is best done by the standing order process so that you don't feel the pinch when you need it least. If you are in any doubt just ask anyone who used it last year.
Sort Code: 72-00-05
Account Number: 10026702
Please include your full name and tour 2008.
If possible add an automatic deletion date to ensure the relevant last
payment.
For those of you who are more 'cash' type of gentlemen this year the club
will be operating a more stringent policy with regard to payments for tour.
For the most part last year everyone paid up on time and were no hassle, however... Therefore this year the deposit has been set at £150. The reason for this seemingly high deposit is simply because this represents your flight, which we need to book early. The absolute final date for deposits has been set as the 7th December. This represents a maxisuperdoubleplus FINAL cut off point. After this point additions to the touring party will be very difficult and after losing my sanity with it last year you are going to
have to work very hard to convince me that any of you lot would be worth it.
We should point out that you do not have to wait until the 6th December to get your one off payment of £150 in. Pay what you can when you can. Furthermore while this represents a large portion of your tour pot, the cut off point is in 4 and a half months time, that's just £7 a week!
If you cannot get the cash to either myself, Will Quibell, Steve Sheppard
or Jon Wrigley by then but want to tour, call (07917 135553) or email me
and I'll try to get you to Spain. No promises, and certainly not a reliable back up plan, but we don't want people who genuinely want to tour not being able to because of some silly reason.
To reiterate the previous stance, once you have paid for the flight, its
your's. If you cannot make it then you may have all the details and pursue
our carrier for whatever you can get. Top tip, do not think you can get
away with buying another flight and taking the missus away for the weekend.
It'll end in tears, and probably bruises.
The second payment will be for £100 and will be due in by the 23rd
February. Naturally we would like as many people to tour as possible and
if for any reason you are having problems paying then talk to one of us,
however we do not want to have to spend all of March and April chasing
people for cash, therefore this again will be a cut off point. If you have
not paid and have not contacted either myself, Will Quibell, Steve Sheppard
or Jon Wrigley by 28th February then your place on tour will be cancelled.
Even if you think it a weird or pathetic reason tell us rather than annoy
us. You never know who will win this year's open, free and democratic
election to be judge...
Again once you have paid this installment, which represents your hotel
room, its yours. Should you have to pull out then its up to you to sell it
on. We will do our best to help you, however we will have our hands tied as
the club will have paid the deposit.
The final installment will be the remaining £80 and will be due by 13th
April in order that you have chance to organise your finances for the few
San Miguels you'll probably enjoy responsibly over the beach BBQ on the
Saturday night.
Any questions then get in touch with myself or Will Quibell.
The Big Gay Bare and referee Quibell.