Friday 8th September 2000

Eryl: "Our flight was not 'til 12 noon, but at 7am: 'ring, ring - hasn't he left yet? Can you get here for 8.45?'.

We needed to pick up the tour T-shirts from the printers in Luton before going on to Luton Airport, but by five past nine it becomes evident that there are problems on the motorway: there are roadworks, lights and traffic jams everywhere! I don't think we can make it, but we check with Martin, and try anyway."

Ki: "I was driving, with Gilly in the passenger seat at various stages first "informing", "alerting" and then "convincing" me of the fact that we would not make the T-shirt collection. I gave up and turned around after both the M1 and the country roads to Luton were moving at 10mph."

Eryl: "We eventually had to skip the T-shirt collection and try a cross-country run to the airport. Time is ticking by, agitation is setting in. We grab some take-away apples on the run, and finally make it to the long term car park. The shuttle bus takes us to the terminal, and at 11.30 we finally get to check in!! Thank God we gave up the T-shirt idea when we did! Bus and train take us to the departure gate, only to find that the flight is delayed! We met the others - (Paul's passport(?)) - finally we can have a drink!"

Ki: "At the other end Eryl pulled a fast one on me; by whipping my luggage off the conveyor belt before it got to me, but after I had noticed it emerging from the bowels of the conveyor belt system. I then spent a good minute with a panic attack, looking for my "nicked" luggage while it was all piled up neatly on a trolley behind me."

//MORE//

Eryl: "After dumping our bags at the campsite we go and eat and drink with the Belgians. Seafood pizza - no cheese."

Say "Cheese"!

"Feisty little thing"!

Julie & Martin F: "Meanwhile, Julie and Martin F went to hockey with the Slovenian team. Slovenian drivers are even worse than Italians!! Three cars left and one with 2 maps. We were in the car without a map and lost the car with the map. After 20mins driving around Bologna we finally found the pool but no players. They were all going through the Italian team selection. After playing them and being cold we left to the campsite and got drunk. Some more than others . . .

"A Good Night's Sleep for all"

Paul: "At the camp site, accommodation fell into two options: chalet-style for the weak and tents for the hardy.

As Octopush folk arrived to erect tents and arrange sleeping accommodation, Eryl - who is a kind hearted soul - busied himself doing a splendid job being the Octopush Ambassador, breaking the ice by introducing everyone to everyone. Slovenians, Italians, Belgians & Brits. etc. all renewing acquaintances from previous tournaments. Eryl then brandished a bottle of gin(?) which he good-humouredly shared.

Now, Octopush folk are a suspicious lot. This instinct has been instilled usually from many experiences which pass as practical jokes to the inebriated. To convince newcomers of his good intentions, demonstrate that the proffered spirit was indeed what was advertised on the bottle's label and guarantee it did not contain anything more sinister (as if we would we even think of such a thing!), Eryl was encouraged to have a sip every time he offered the bottle, as he moved among the throng... Now sips mount up (this will later become important)...

I took my leave of the jolly crowd at about 11:30, with the intention of getting a good night's rest in anticipation of the following day's tournament. I retired to bed in the twelve-person tent which Martin had (single-handedly) brought over from the UK and erected. This twelve-person tent was designed in two halves, each half a self-contained unit (this will later become important). I settled down and drifted off into my slumbers.

I was abruptly awakened by someone falling on me. Someone had obviously stumbled in the complete darkness. I was startled but unhurt, and enquired "Are you OK?", to which a meek slightly embarrassed sounding female voice replied “Yes”. I recognised the voice as that of Electra Kalaugher.

In a half-asleep state I was aware of "my" female companion (I use the word "my" loosely - being fallen on in the middle of the night by someone of the opposite sex, instilled this camaraderie). Electra now busied herself bed-making in complete darkness at the other end of "our half" (this will later become important) of the twelve-person tent. Electra did not have a torch. When satisfied with her "nest making" Electra started to settle down for the night.

Enter the boyfriend - Bart van Campen.

Now, the inebriated are never quiet, particularly if they try to be. So now fully awakened I overheard the objection, in half whispered tones, about why the bed was in this half (where Paul - and also Martin by this time - were in repose) and not in the other half, where there was obviously far more space, where Eryl alone was instilled. After much insistent debate in the complete darkness Electra was reluctantly persuaded to relocate "for more space" leaving Martin & Paul cramped uncomfortably in the space intended for a mere six people.

The uncharitable might think Bart had more than sleeping on his mind but I am a Christian soul, not so disposed to these lines of thought.

I drifted off to sleep serenaded by the sounds of Italian summer night time insects (noisy little beggars! ), but was abruptly awakened by the uncouth guttural sounds, unmistakable to my past experiences, of vomit in full production.

Polite objections ensued from Electra about why she should be so privileged as to share this intimacy and comments as to how she appreciated the aromatic odour . . . Eryl murmured an apology . . . Sounds of movement in the complete darkness . . .

Electra was overheard to observe in appreciation “It is all over my sleeping bag!”, and went off intent on finding a space on the floor of a chalet, leaving Bart and Eryl cramped up in their own six-man space.

The following day discussion turned to Eryl’s unique abilities. Electra commented that normally she loved him to bits but at the moment she definitely did not feel this way."

Eryl: "Blank spot, cards, blank spot, ill (i.e. sick twice in the tent), alone in the tent."

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