Marylands 80th anniversary trip to the 'wee island' had a depleted squad due to the untimely death of our club president Mervyn McComb, his room-mate Cormac understandably pulled out and so this left 18 to venture off into the sun for a weeks cycling together. The volcano dust threat had passed and with only a minor delay on the way out, flights, transfers, hotel bookings and the balcony views over pollenca bay were all in the very satisfactory category., perfectly organised by Gerry.
The majority of the entourage had all been away together before so some new faces in Mickey, Peter and Aiden gave us some fresh meat to banter, Hamilton was first name in the 'why me' list though with 2 or was it 3 punctures on the first evenings spin, this was the first time one of the clubs many motto's was used and so we left him, well you don't want to upset the hotel restaurant manager on the first night do you. Next day it was Mickeys turn on the 'why me' stage as puncture's and mechanicals dogged him, luckily Gerard was there to help out.
As always the mountains were all tackled with vigour and conquered by all, Sa Calobra being the first for some and the last for others, some notable explosions were heard at various points on the way up, not least from yours truely.
The last evening saw a new innovation to the club trip with an awards ceremony devised by Hamilton with back-scratchers presented by Claire, various deeds and mis-deeds were recognised and duely explained with baffled diners joining in the frivolity. Our local Irish Bar recognised the clubs good attendance record by donating a few 'free ones' on our last night which, accompanied by renditions of well known bar room dittys ended another memorable week in the sun.