Day 5

Well as I walked to work today the sun is baking, sky blue and sea a wonderful sight to see. A light breakfast before assuming my position at the bar with a perfect view of the pool. Yes readers I am duty pool safety person. Why they pick a non swimmer escapes me, I found out later I can shout louder than most! The Coach is picking us up later to take us to the RAOB Club for Lodge and the Investiture while the Ladies and the children go off to the market. Lodge went really well with an excellent initiation carried out by Brother Neil and copious fines paid by yours truly. The Investiture was again brilliant with the Grand Primo on fine form. A full report will be sent to the Journal Editor. The older boys attended the ceremony and I think were quite impressed. Many congratulations to Eric Hirst on his Investiture.

Once the ceremony was complete we all changed to shorts & tee shirts for the BBQ & Cabaret. We were joined by other families and friends and I felt a great sense of déjà vu taking me back to Buffalo children’s functions of many years ago the atmosphere and camaraderie was great. The children loved it and when Peter Andre’s brother made an appearance they were knocked out. There were some great performances and the show was rounded of with a performance by a female impersonator and he was very good.

We got back onto the bus full of generous spirit we had felt throughout the day and led by Jon Morris we sang all the way to the hotel.

Day 6

After yesterday we looked forward a relaxing day at the hotel and boy did we have one. I of course still working tested out the Singapore Gin Sling which I declare fit for the adults though the Barman quickly invented an alcohol free version. I must apologise for failing to mention that Alison won the Karaoke Competition the other night with some assistance from the other girls. The committee guys are picking us up tomorrow for a trip to the Blue Lagoon.

The Holiday of a Lifetime!

Earlier this year I was asked by the Grand Secretary if I would like to accompany the OUR,s Children and their guardians to Cyprus to be entertained by Cyprus Provincial Grand Lodge as they close in on the 50^th anniversary of the wonderful “holiday of a lifetime scheme”. Any Province who has been nominated to submit children for this scheme will attest to the value of this scheme. It was then very appropriate the Province have nominated the Children of the Journal Children’s Gift Fund (OUR,s) giving two of my favourite funds the opportunity to benefit from your generosity.

Day one saw us all meet up at Birmingham International Airport. We were to be accompanied by the Grand Primo, Brother Terry Billingham ROH and his wife Carol who were there to carry out the Investiture of the Provincial Grand Primo which is to be held while we were out there. Terry was delighted to be handing out the pocket money to the children and their guardians.

To introduce the team, the Hargreaves are led by Freda and the family are Ann Marie, Kimberley and Gary and they hail from Accrington. Jon Morris and his two daughters Claire and Allison live in Yate while Pat Stephen and daughter Leona are from Leeds. Peter Woods and his son William are from Monmouthshire and finally me Andy Baker from Harrogate and accompanying Jamie Durrant.

After an adventurous start we eventually arrived in Cyprus to be met by Chairman of the Holiday of a Lifetime Neil Tunstall and his team. This was about 1:00 am and it was warm. Off to the Hotel by bus we all felt very tired so we grabbed some sleep.

Day 2

After a lovely breakfast we set about getting to know each other and our new surroundings and soon found ourselves around the pool. Leona and William took to the water as did the Morris girls. A meeting with Neil and the Holiday of a Lifetime Committee we set about enjoying a day round the pool. The facilities here are great and there is much to do for the children, our group ranges from eight to seventeen so we have a full spectrum. We all covered up with our factor 50 and headed poolside. The children took part in water polo and really bonded together. This is an excellent start.

The evening entertainment was very good the star turn was a Michael Bubile (I hope I have spelt that right!) who was very good. The older boys Simon & Gary found a supermarket close by and are now our runners!

Day 3

All I can say now is WOW! We have just returned from visiting Europe’s largest water theme park and it was brilliant. The children loved it. We have had a small problem with sunburn but not a lot. Neil, Rick and Andy entertained us royally and were joined by Neil’s son Harry who soon took the older boys in tow and they went off looking for girls or more accurately looking at girls!

Back again! Just when I thought it could not get better it does. We have just got back from a restaurant called Blue Spice and the guys have put on a Meze, a local feast. A huge selection of seafood and meats put on the table and you just tuck in.

Day 4

A day in the complex and around the pool, brilliant lunch and fun at just about every turn. During the evening Simon got pied much to the delight of all. He took it good style and promised he would not be the last! I took to the water for the first time today but to everybody’s relief  I did stay in long. Tomorrow sees the Investiture of the PGP with Cabaret and a Barbeque. I am having a littledifficulty with photographs here but I do hope to resolve this later today.