The Trip – Spain 2025

It was an early start – 04:00! Eileen and Jane kindly let us park at their houses – though if we’d known about the jungle hike in the dark to the bowls club, we’d have brought pith helmets and a blunderbuss! 😄

The bus driver treated us to a scenic tour of Hook Village before finding the right route. With 22 people giving directions, it’s fair to say that might have added to the confusion…

The hotel was in a perfect location, surrounded by lovely bars, restaurants, and shops, with the beach just a few minutes’ walk away – something for everyone!

We had two free days to do our own thing, then met up each evening for social drinks, dinner, and of course, a trip to the Sky Bar.

 

What About the Bowls?

Linnie and Alan organised the teams each day. Bowling on outdoor carpets was a new experience for everyone, so we all rotated positions to keep things interesting.

It was noted that Desiree, who usually plays lead, was amazing as skip on the outdoor carpet! All the local teams were incredibly welcoming, offering after-play drinks, snacks, and even little gifts.

Top Bowler Prizes:
🏆 Christine P
🏆 Dave C

Top Teams

Jackie / Dave/ Brenda/ Martyn

Nigel/ Christine / Martyn / Bob

Alan / Dave / Christine / Brenda

Ame / Dave/ Eileen / Nigel

Top Performers ( in the Bar)
Desiree, Pam, Linnie, Eileen, and Jane – who famously cleared the bar of “43” (if you haven’t tried it, look out for it behind the bar at the club!).

 

Most Shocking Moment of the Trip

Linnie, Martyn Kee, Bob, and Ame formed a great team with high hopes – until they met David Cutler, skip for the opposition.

For those who don’t know:
Cutler won his first national triples title in 1972 aged 18, represented England indoors and outdoors, and was part of the fours team that won gold at the 1996 World Outdoor Bowls Championship in Adelaide. He also played at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

He took nearly every point off us. He was very, very good – and apparently playing with a frozen shoulder!

Most Improper Behaviour

Pam and Desiree sneaking their own wine into the hotel bar… and nearly getting thrown out. Enough said!

Loudest Noise Ever

Twenty-two exhausted Hook bowlers snoring on the plane home – the pilot nearly declared an alert thinking it was an engine malfunction!

Discoveries

• Bowls greens abroad are carpets. We are not well-practised on these – and the opposition knew it!

• Playing in 35°C heat is very, very hard.

• Hook bowlers can literally drink a bar dry.

• A drag bar is a very interesting place to visit.

• Elvis is alive and well – he was playing bowls and staying in our hotel!

Things Alan and Linnie Might Do Differently Next Time

• Linnie would not throw her earphones in the aircraft bin, then borrow gloves from the crew to sift through rubbish (found them!).

• Linnie would not leave her earphones on the hotel bed on sheet-change day (they were washed, dried, never seen again).

• Linnie would add COVID tests to her already extensive first aid bag (antibiotics, thermometer, paracetamol, codeine, Imodium, salts , super glue to fix shoes, tool kit for emergency repairs …).

• Alan would not have five pints of lager after playing in 35°C heat, eat lunch, ice cream, and then a large curry. The results were… unfortunate.

• Linnie would confiscate Bob Grout’s camera with the zoom lens (used only from his balcony to spy on other guests). Must check his DBS!

Outcome

BO BO and Chris Vickers took some amazing pictures and Jane and Linnie are planning a collage for the club – photos will be on the WhatsApp page.

There are always things to improve or do differently, but the Bowling Abroad reps, Jenny and Mike, said we were the best group they’d ever hosted – so let’s take that as a win!

And for our next adventure – who fancies Potters next year????