When you take a corps into Europe, there are many problems that can occur, as the annals of our history will testify! Taking two corps to Europe, just doubles the problems, with this in mind we set off Thursday night having had endless meetings to insure everything would be fine, we had even gone to the lengths of sending John and Ann Legon to have a look the previous week.

The truck departed at 2 0:clock, we left at 5:30 sharp! In reality 5:45 and stopped off at the Legion to pick everyone else up, the coach was full, spirits were high, and the only thing left to chance was the weather. After a good journey down, we arrived at about 1:30am to be greeted by a slightly the worst for wear John, having been entertained in the bar by the Irish Corps, John being too polite to refuse had been well lubricated, Paul in  similar condition had already retired to bed and was snoring soundly!

The first morning as expected, brought rain, but undeterred after a good breakfast in which Bob had a bowl of cereal and 3 rounds of toast, before most people even knew it was being served and the loan of a kettle from the neighbouring Irish corps to save the day, when the urn failed to work. We set of for rehearsal.

Rehearsal took place in the ground that would be the evenings show venue, immaculate pitch and a good stand to watch from! On this trip for the first time we were catering for ourselves improvising a field kitchen from whatever we could lay our hands on, and at 1 our lunch arrived, perfect! Supplemented by the arrival of a Belgium chef with gallons of vegetable soup, well as long as you liked celery you were made up! Despite the conditions rehearsal went well. Bob took his afternoon nap at 3, while the corps ensembled, how did he sleep through that!

Before the evening show our hosts supplied Ravioli and bread, feelings were mixed, but on the whole it went down well, just glad I’m not a fussy eater! When we set off from the arena to start the street parade, bands leaving at 2-minute intervals, I had though that on our return there would be one man and his dog! But when we returned with Sussex by the Sea, still ringing in my ears, the stand was full with over 1100 people, amazing!

Having elected not to attempt to march a show, the corps took to the field for a static exhibition. To stand in front of an audience and stare them in the face is hard at the best of times. But for some members, this was there first performance making it doubly difficult, that said despite it being a little shaky we came with reputation enhanced and the first real proof that the two corps can act as one, great job!

We returned to our accommodation around 10:45pm for a supper of beans on toast, and the odd beer, day 2 was complete. Page 2

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