| A VERY BRITISH DAY
Pimms, picnicking, scones with strawberry jam and cream, darts and croquet; how British can you get but that was the way it was on 12 June for Romandie East’s celebration of the Queen’s 90th birthday at Chalais in the Valais. Welcomed by Regional Chairman, Andrew Konecki, and his ever efficient right arm, Deborah Gorsatt, 33 brave souls, including 5 grandchildren, took a chance with the unsettled weather and luck was with us during most of the day.
With wine, beer and soft drinks generously provided free of charge by the organizing team, the picnic got off to a good start with a wide variety of food being exchanged between people as they ate. The mixtures which ended up on some plates were quite exotic but undoubtedly one of the highlights was an excellent lemon meringue tart brought along by National Chairman, Graham Robertson, and his wife, Diana. It was memorable!
The Loyal Toast to Her Majesty having been proposed by Andrew, a croquet tournament got underway on grass that was hardly up to Hurlingham standards but made life exciting. Teams of two battled it out trying to be the first to get a ball through the six hoops which had been set up in a square precisely laid out by none other than Dave Underhill, the President of the Swiss Croquet Association. Under his professional guidance, many of us who were newcomers to the sport gingerly played our way around and were gradually eliminated on a knock-out basis until it came to the final when yours truly and his partner of the day were well beaten 4 to 2 by Rosy Andrey & Rosemary Bissegger. With the presentation of handsome prizes by Andrew and Graham, a most enjoyable day came to an end and warmest thanks go to all members of the organizing team, including local resident, Diana Crettaz, who arranged facilities with the Chalais Commune.
Michael Type |
