Friday Day 1 Cool, overcast 18C Southend Airport
The LOMVC party arrived early at Southend Airport to be greeted by Concert Manager Neil adorned in his bright yellow polo shirt and matching baseball cap.
A smooth transition through the airport was enjoyed by all except for Alistair when his whistle startled a young female security guard. He must be more careful where he puts his whistle in future.
Arriving at a sunny Alicante Airport with a temperature of 25C we were met by the golden boys Martin, Dave and Barry. We then travelled by coach to the Hotel Fontana Plaza and after settling in Martin and Neil conducted an orientation walk around TORREVIEJA.
Then it was back to the hotel for a refreshing dip in the pool where of course John Riddle was terrorising sunbathers with cold water. Some things never change!
The Hotel proved to be very comfortable and well situated for the promenade, restaurants and shopping centre.
That evening LOMVC made the short walk to the Real Club Nautico where we received a complimentary drink, a tasty buffet meal and we in turn rewarded the clientele with a short concert.
Saturday Day 2 Sunny but Breezy 28C
Some members enjoyed an early morning walk with Martin along the Dique de Levante breakwater before returning for breakfast.
After a short rehearsal in the hotel with Janet members enjoyed free time exploring TORREVIEJA shops, promenade, harbour, restaurants and bars. Tapas were particularly popular.
The Choir’s first concert was at the splendid Sociedad Cultural Casino where the local TV station recorded our performance. Our guest soloist Vanessa Cozens and the Choir were well received by the audience and local dignitaries. Our compere Eric Smith impressed the audience with his fluent Spanish which was clearly appreciated by them even though we didn’t have a clue what he was talking about.
This concert raised funds for the Reach Out – Extiende de la Mano Charity. The Director of the Sociedad presented the choir with a very fine plaque to mark our performance there.
That evening many members provided a short afterglow at the Casino before continuing their repertoire back at the hotel bar. Once again the vast range of talent displayed by many members was unforgettable in more ways than one.
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Sunday Day 3. Very Sunny 28C
A number of members attended the Christian Fellowship Church during the morning and on their return several members enjoyed the “Train” ride to La Mata and back which travelled along the waterfront roadway.
Again another period of leisure time was enjoyed by all around TORREVIEJA sampling the excellent food and drinks in the local restaurants or just simply relaxing around the hotel pool.
Our next concert was at the very impressive Iglesia de la Immaculada Concepcion which was just a 5 minute walk from the hotel to the pretty Plaza de la Constitucion. The original church was destroyed in the 1829 earthquake but had been beautifully rebuilt with much of the original brick work.
We performed in the Plaza in the hope that it would drum up an audience in the church and our singing was enjoyed by those residents relaxing in the cool evening air.
We entered the church to be greeted by a full congregation who gave us a very warm welcome.
The LOMVC Choir and Vanessa gave a performance which many commented was one of our best ever. So much so that the congregation gave a standing ovation.
Several members returned once again to the hotel bar to celebrate our successful evening when even more talent was displayed which incorporated singing and choreography this time.
This carried on until the early hours, which was much appreciated by all the hotel guests.
Monday Day 4 Sunny 28 C – Sea State: Slight Swell Force 2-3
A large contingent of Choir members and groupies boarded a boat for a cruise south down the eastern coast. This was not a guided tour but a chance to relax out on the water and have a drink whilst doing so. Having been cancelled earlier due to rough seas the Mediterranean was very calm, the sun shone continuously (when didn’t it) and a nice breeze made for a very pleasant trip.
The trip took us out of TORREVIEJA harbour where we saw a yacht being lifted out of the water and passing a couple of tall ships. We turned south and passed the conurbations of La Zena, La Regia and Dahesa de Campoamor.
The crew were friendly and put out a fishing line from astern. They managed to catch one tuna fish but a couple of other attempts failed bringing groans from the mass fish watchers. But the fish watchers were greeted to a view of a large number of jelly fish floating by as well as the occasional Blue Whale. Cold drinks were served from a bucket which gave the trip a pleasantly relaxing feel. And in that relaxed way we returned to TORREVIEJA harbour where having moored and at the Captain’s request we treated the crew to a fine rendition of Siyahambe. It was a very relaxed way to prepare for the rigours of our final evening performance.
This evening’s concert was performed at The Christian Fellowship Church in TORREVIEJA and it was to raise funds for the APANEE Charity. This concert had been organised at very short notice with a great deal of help and support from Pastor Roy Davies and his colleagues.
Another very successful concert was enjoyed by the appreciative congregation who were predominately ex pats. Pastor Roy Davies gave a very impressive solo performance of Myfanwy and Vanessa gave a very entertaining recital.
The choir was also congratulated by Ronnie our Kiwi groupie for our performance of Pokarekare Ana.
Tuesday Day 5 Sunny and Hot 32C
After our buffet breakfast and our farewell singing to the hotel staff by the Choir wearing their yellow polo shirts we departed for a short coach ride to Guardamar del Segura.
We were met by our guide Peter Green and his wife who both provided a very interesting talk and tour through Reina Sofia Park, a walk through the pine forest and along the beach front to the promenade for our final lunch.
We then departed for Alicante Airport arriving mid afternoon for our flight back to Southend. We were greeted back home by a cool drizzly evening having had a thoroughly enjoyable and successful trip.
May I take this opportunity to congratulate and thank our tour organisers Martin and Neil, our MD Janet Walker and accompanist Christine Salter, special guest soloist Vanessa Cozens, page-turner Liszi, plus our multilingual compere Eric Smith and the Choir’s hard-working back-up team.
Diarist: Malcolm Bridges
Copy input from Dave Smith
Legal Advice from Bodgit and Scarper.
