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In October a party of 39 band members, friends and family went on a 5-day tour to Barcelona. We had a fantastic time and this issue of the newsletter is devoted to our time spent in the city. We hope you enjoy reading about our experiences whilst we were on tour.
"Barcelona Fantastico" After a midnight feast at the band room to celebrate Daisy Taylor's 15th Birthday we loaded Van and Coach and set off for Manchester airport at around 4 am. Some cat napped whilst others were in fine voice and sang their way through the journey to the airport. We checked in quickly thanks to the help of the courier from NST Travel and boarded the Monarch flight to Barcelona Airport at 8 am.
The hotel Victoria, where we were staying, is in Calafell which is about a 40-minute drive south from the airport. We checked in at approx 1 pm and whilst some of the younger members decided to try out the hotel swimming pool others chose to try out the St Miguel! We had great fun at the restaurant across the road trying to decipher the Spanish menu. The waiter gave up with us in the end!
A rehearsal was planned that evening and then we had an evening meal at the hotel, followed by a few at the bar before retiring to bed - all shattered after losing a nights sleep!
Wednesday 26 October
After an early breakfast the coach was loaded by 10 am and we were on our way to Barcelona for our first full day. Our Driver / Rep was German and when she introduced herself to Ian she asked, 'sprechen sie deutsch' to which Ian replied, 'ein bisschen'. But we managed well with none habla espagnol! We arrived in the city to seek out the venue for the concert, which was to be held in the Maremagnum Shopping Centre on the harbour. As we were not scheduled to play until late afternoon we were able to spend most of the day sightseeing. Some chose to see the fantastic Sagrada Familia (Gaudi's magnificent yet unfinished cathedral). Then on to Park Guell - another Gaudi masterpiece - a hilltop park overlooking the city. We then came back down for a ramble down La Rambla - Peter probably wishes he hadn't because he had his mobile phone pinched by one of the many wandering mothers with babies in arms!!
We then headed back to the coach for a quick change of attire then on to the shopping centre for a 60-minute concert by the harbour. This ended just as the sun was setting and the light was fading fast. Coach loaded again and back to Calafell for an evening meal, liquid refreshment and sleep!!!
Thursday 27 October
Early breakfast again and then coach loaded, then it was off to The Olympic Stadium for a band photo shoot. Whilst we were there Ronaldinho decided to turn up and do a photo shoot also. This meant we weren't allowed on the pitch because he was there - shame!
We arrived at Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village) about 11am and quickly set up ready for a 12 o'clock start. According to the brochure the Poble Espanyol provides a whistle stop tour of the country's architecture and urban scenery. Thousands of tourists visit every year to enjoy a trip around the country in a single afternoon.
We had an amazing concert. The bandstand was located in the main 'Plaza Mayor' which Tony Mayor insisted was his very own and kept telling everyone to, 'Get off his Plaza!'
There was a party of schoolchildren who were well excited when we played 'TEQUILA', so percussion was promptly handed out to them so they could join in! 'Fantastico!' they shouted. Tony.T and David.T played out Sandpaper Ballet sat on a bench. Pity we couldn't see it! We stayed at the village for a couple of hours for some sightseeing. The roof top cafe provided wonderful views of the City sprawled out in the midday sun…amazing! Then back on the Bus for more sightseeing, shopping or leisure time!
An unforgettable day and by far the best on for me!
Friday 28 October
Early breakfast for some but a few decided to have a lie in because we weren't due to play the concert until 4 pm.
Friday is Market day in Calafell so we headed off to see what was on offer and do some bartering. I tried a leather jacket on but it was a wee bit small so I didn't get chance to haggle.
Then on for Tapas and a paddle in the Med. Some actually went for a swim in the sea although I wasn't quite that brave - even though the temperature did reach 220c everyday and was really pleasant and warm in the afternoon. (It was nice to hear that it had rained solidly for 2 days back home in Morecambe!)
By 3 pm the coach was loaded again (we had it off to a fine art by the third day).
We were playing today's concert in a village called RODA DE BARA. The stage was set up in the village square. Typically Spanish… the event was the annual roasting of the chestnuts and we were to provide the background music. The audience was small but appreciative and we did have a few up dancing before the end of the performance. Refreshments were provided in the form of chestnuts and sweet local wine served from a very large plastic drinks container.
We returned back to the hotel early evening ready to freshen up for our evening meal.
The family owners had organised an ' extra special meal ' and we were presented with a commemorative plaque from the HOTEL VICTORIA.
We had a really nice meal followed by presentations and every member of the party was given a souvenir gift!
A special thanks was said to Ian Burgoine who arranged the whole trip and did a brilliant job from start to finish. He did all the liasing with the tour company both here and in Spain and made sure everything ran smoothly --- which it did!! Thanks Ian.
Saturday 29 October
Homewood bound!! Unfortunately it was time to leave the sunshine and head back to the airport for our return journey back to Manchester. Our flight was scheduled for 12.20 pm but when we arrived at the airport in Barcelona we were told there was a 3 hour delay. This meant 3 hours to either shop, eat or sleep which a few did on the floor…stretched out!
We took ages checking in - typically they mixed us in with other passengers which was awkward trying to sort out when we boarded the plane. But by then most just wanted to sleep during the 2-hour flight.
As the flight was delayed we had a panic on because Battersby's coaches said they may have a problem picking us up at Manchester because they had another booking. Anyway, all was well and they were there waiting for us on our return.
The coach journey back to Morecambe was quieter than the journey down on the Tuesday morning.
For me it was a fantastico experience! The concerts and sightseeing in a great city. Everyone on the trip… band members… family… friends. It was a chance for everyone to join in and get to know each other. The youngsters behaved impeccably and are a credit to the organisation.
If only we could have more of this kind of trip… not necessarily abroad but in the UK.
Maybe sooner rather than later!
We still need that all-important Sponsor to promote our band and get us back in the headlines. With the prospect of a contest in Blackpool in March 2006, exciting times are ahead and lets keep our fingers crossed for the New Year!
Barcelona Highlights On the coach coming back from Manchester I asked everyone to compile a list of highlights and funnies of the tour….here is a selection of the best ones……
- Young Harry Cunningham sleepwalking at 3 am --- he came into the bar!!
- Peter (Pedro) Hull packing the wrong white shirt and having to play the first concert in a shirt two sizes small.
- Spam still doesn't taste nice
- We all learnt to speak Spanishio
- Roasting the chestnuts is a "major" festival
- Daisy - Having one of the best birthdays ever
- Chris Larders on coach grocery store
- Gareth "I saw her but I didn't notice her"
- Uno dos tres ……nine
- Peter's infectious laugh --
- Swimming in the sea in October!!
- The menu at the Tapas Bar…we took a chance on what we ordered…hope for the best
- The choir from St Helens in the same Hotel…fortunately only for a couple of nights!!
- The sunset over the marina as we played our first concert
- The flies at Roda de Bara --- was Chris conducting or batting flies! Maybe the chestnuts were attracting them!
- Gareth goes to one of the most famous football grounds in the world and what does he buy…. A MAN U shirt!
- Ronaldinho tries to crash in on our photo shoot!
- Views from the roof top restaurant at the" Spanish Village "
- The banter on the coach going down early Tuesday morning …non stop
- Never leave your phone on a table on la Rambla… and the lesson from this.. never trust a wandering ante natal or post natal class!
- The piano playing frog and all the other human statues and street entertainers down la Rambla
- Dave's Samba band and the 3-legged horse!!
- Well done Morecambe on another top tour
- Singing carols and hymns @ 3 am…. Liz Gardner had the room above the bar and she had to buy earplugs!
- The mystery rash which quite a few of us came back with…even had the GPs flummoxed!!!
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