September 6th-9th 2024
Written by: Mike Wingent & Andy Bryce
After a visit by their juniors to Bristol & West HC earlier this year, Galatea HC, kindly invited the over 50s Old West Team (joint Old Bristolians/Bristol & West) to Sicily (Catania). To fill some playing gaps, we welcomed support from Clive Nash (West Wilts HC) in goal and the indefatigable legs of John Ludley (Westbury & UB HC) into midfield. The complete tour party was Stuart Bryant, Andy Bryce, Dave Beer, Matt Dobbs, Ed Faulkner, Dave Gold, Andy Higginson, Andy Jowett, Al Kilfoil, John Ludley, Steve Mildren, Clive Nash, Mike Wingent.
Very sweaty old men.
We were also accompanied by more supporters than we’ve had for some while: Diane, Suzy & Lucy, Iryna, Karen, Claire & Sharon.
Very cool, elegant ladies.
Fantastic tour organisation from Andy Bryce (you have a new career here if you want it!) meant we were ideally situated on the beach front at Aci Trezza. Andy & Diane and Matt & Iryna were there early as part of extended holidays. Andy checking everything at the hotel was perfect and last minute arrangements made, Matt sending teasing photos of the location and cold beer!
The remaining members of the tour party assembled at Bristol International Airport at 3:30 a.m., ready for the 6:00 a.m. flight to Catania. Little did we know what was to happen as we assembled for coffee, with cheery greetings, back slapping and general camaraderie.
Boarding at 5:30 a.m. and with pre-flights checks underway, the captain announced that the baggage chuckers had ‘buggered off’ (end of shift) leaving a half loaded plane. Rules meant the new team had to throw the bags off and start again. The luggage count then didn’t tally, so it all had to thrown on and off a third time.
Just as the captain was ready to push back and claim his runway slot, an unfortunate passenger collapsed in the aisle resulting in much mayhem. There was headless coming and going with the flight crew, ground crew and then the fire brigade.
Finally, someone thought to call an ambulance the poor guy was heaved off plane by paramedics followed by their luggage (all thrown off and on for the fourth time).
Relief at the thought we were about to leave was shattered as the captain announced that the flight crew were out of hours and then buggered off too. There was then a long wait for the stand-by crew; while the rain lashed onto the plane.
5 hours into the tour….
All of this added up to nearly 5 hours sat on the plane with one glass of water. We eventually landed in Sicily at 3 p.m. with jokes about welcome to the United States after 8 hours sat on our bums.
Happily, things then quickly improved as Toto (taxi supremo and our new friend in Sicily) whisked us to the hotel, some had a swim, some a few beers before Toto took us to the hockey club, a short drive across town.
Our fancy hotel
Pre-match briefing.
The weather was hot and sunny all weekend, unbroken sunshine and mid-thirties °C with humidity at around 80%. Thankfully, the hockey matches were played after 7pm when the temperature had plummeted to 27 °C. Still, 8 hours sat in a plane followed by an hour of hockey in the heat, it’s a miracle everyone survived.
Lucerner HC presented us with a giant, 4.5 kg ‘Bristol & West’ emblazoned Toblerone. Sadly after 2 hours pitch side it had melted into a large foil-wrapped blob.
Traditional Swiss Toblerone ceremony
There was great after-match hosting at the club house with beer and pizza. Two hours later, and we had just about stopped sweating.
Friday’s results
2-0 Win vs hosts Galatea HC;
1-1 Draw vs Lucerner HC;
Saturday morning after breakfast and a gentle walk was taken along the small beach front. Ed & Higgy were approached by a bloke on a scooter, which confirmed the view aired by Smeg, that a boat trip was in order.
At max 20 persons, we hired a whole boat for a 2 hour jaunt up and back down the coast. Swimming with dolphins too (well, we saw some about 100 m away).
Little did they know, but the ladies were about to be treated to the Old Bristol O50 top deck diving competition! After a bit of jumping off the front of the boat, and general splashing about, several members of the team flung themselves elegantly from the top deck. Good marks went to Ed & Luds, the most chat came for Stu (Mr Competitive) and his “over rotations” and then the overall winner, Mr Andrew Higginson for his “consistent and neat entries”.
Higgy on re-entry.
On Saturday evening we headed back to the hockey club for the re-matches, whilst the ladies had got wise and arranged a trip to a local bar.
Saturday’s Results:
1-0 Win vs Lucerner HC;
2-3 Loss vs Galatea;
This was apparently the first time Lucerner had lost a game on tour and they were clearly none too chuffed, but it was far too late to take the Toblerone back. We ended up overall points winners, but nobody cared much about that!
Great after match hosting again at the club house with beer and a fabulous BBQ.
On Sunday Andy had arranged a “touristic” day – as the brochures say. First stop the always active, Mount Etna.
Half way up Etna.
After this was a visit to the picturesque village of Taormina and lunch. Taormina is an ancient town with stone portal gateways at each end of the main street, wonderful old churches, buildings and steep steps leading up and down off the main street, all topped off by a virtually intact ancient Greek amphitheatre. The only irritation was the endless Instagrammers pouting & posing (although many were photo by Old Westers).
Nice view.
Cultural interlude over and on to the close of tour evening meal, starting with aperitif’s in the hotel’s first floor terrace bar. In the restaurant the solo gents were sat next to the wine fridge and seemed determined to drink at least one bottle from each shelf –and it was a floor to ceiling wine fridge! After settling the bill, the restaurant staff took opportunity to get rid of some dodgy old liquors that had clearly been hanging around a long time (shot of Ricotta Cream anyone?).
Brits drink the left over crap the locals won’t touch.
And finally, on to the bars around the corner for another drink and more chat…including how good we once all were..!
Steve visibly shrunk in the heat.
The “stalwarts” or “stop outs” ? - you decide.
If the number of times I heard, “this has been great trip, lets do it again next year!” is anything to go by, then I think a suitable venue should be sought out and it must be repeated. Those that sadly couldn’t join us this time, we missed you. Masters hockey is the best….keep playing everyone and your day will come!
Comments