At "stupid o'clock" on the morning of 5th March we stirred ourselves to leave a cold Vale of Evesham for warmer climes.
We arrived at Luton airport nearly two hours ahead of ourselves, no mean feat for a Morris side. There we nonchalantly awaited
the arrival of LWT, I guess it's not every day they get to film people dancing at the check-in.
We duly obliged, along with some individual interviews that seemed to take an eternity (well that's how it feels at 5am anyway).
Eventually we managed to check in.
The EasyJet flight was on time and before you could say "Hethethetheth, Pethethetheth" we were collecting our traumatised
luggage from the carousel at Barajas airport.
We made straight for the Hastings School where as last year we performed to an enthusiastic throng of children and staff.
Despite the onset of sleep deprivation, this as before will be looked upon as one of the highlights of the trip.
Then on to Sol where we once again took up residence at the imaginatively named Hotel Europa.
This is where things could become a little blurry so please bear with me.
Friday night followed a familiar format.
We made for the nearest
Ham Museum where we met up with Del, who once again tirelessly assisted Mick with
our linguistically challenged side. There followed a string of bars, each one roughly 30 paces from the one before.
It's uncertain what time we all made it to bed but I personally recall a couple of us being evicted from the hotel bar
which closed around us.
Saturday morning happened much sooner than we'd have liked but nevertheless we got kitted up and hit the Madrid streets.
The reaction of Spaniards when confronted with a Morris performance is generally one of "entertained but confused".
Fortunately the leaflets we had to hand round alleviated much of the confusion. The particular highlight of this day
was dancing in the Plaza Mayor.
The weather was warm, the crowds were appreciative and the surroundings themselves lent a regal atmosphere
to the whole proceedings.
Saturday evening we hit the town again, but started this time with a meal which was both pleasant and surprisingly cheap.
The evening then continued in much the same fashion as usual, more bars and for some, a 3am visit to the hot chocolate bar.
Kevin (who amazingly despite hernia surgery the previous week, made the trip) and Ken reported sight of a women’s
morris team. Apparently they were dressed in white with a red sash and one of them was dressed in black as a beast
with horns and had a white bum. They were carrying rolled up newspaper (possibly papier-mâché) as sticks.
Oddly this report was met with scepticism by most of the side.
It should be pointed out however that no-one has been able to offer a logical explanation for two people hallucinating
the same vision at the same time. Still the report remains unsubstantiated despite the assertions of the two who
made the sighting and this will no doubt become part of Pebworth Morris folklore.
Sunday was a gentler and quieter day. We departed the hotel at 11am and made for the Retiro Park to perform.
One thing, mind your wallet on the Metro! It was an isolated incident of theft but an unpleasant experience for those concerned.
At the Retiro we danced despite our failing energy levels and the hubbub from the political rally taking place.
Again we were well received by the large audience that gathered.
Our final destination was Del and Carol’s place en route to the airport where Kev took a rest and the rest of us
danced and then ate. This year, the “workers restaurant” delivered a pretty good meal which rounded off the weekend well.
And so the weekend ended. Mick took on the now familiar look of desperation as we made our way to Barajas although he
rallied himself with a final Spanish beer before departure.
Two Easy-Jet flights on time? Surely not!
Yes indeed.
We landed in England both on time and at the right end of the country!
And so the verdict on Madrid 2004?
A good time had by all.
Rob.
P.S. there will be pictures as soon as someone what had a camera with them gets some to me