This is a story about 5 men from the famous hill in the Gold Coast who decided to escape the dreary weather in the Queen’s realm for a sunnier place to hold their AGM. This had been in the planning since September 2019. After all, in the words of one of them, “Time no dey”, so why waste what little you have remaining?

So it was that 24^th January 2020 finally came and they arrived at an airport in the Queen’s realm where they all live –

“Ogidi”, (Vice-President, Europe)

“The Bim”

“Vandal”

“Wagus”, aka “Torgbui”

and “Compass”.

Soon, they were airborne

and arrived safely at the destination airport. 

 

These young (ahem) men rented a van,

and were ready for adventure! With “The Bim” as “Executive Chauffeur” (driving only for the fun this time, having neglected to read the Emoluments Clause in the contract 😁), off they went to their hotel by the sea.

Soon it was time to “strengthen the mortal body”, so they did.

A well-deserved rest wouldn’t be amiss…

Boys will always be boys though so, even with rain threatening, they made the decision to squeeze in the planned trip to that other territory that is part of the Queen’s realm to, among other things, see the famous Rock. So off they went. The rain had finally made good on its threat to come down with a vengeance by the time they arrived, but what a sight the Rock of Gibraltar was to behold!

It brought into sharp focus that other Rock that Morris Chapman sings about in his song:

“…This Rock will not move…

You can trust all your tomorrows

To this never-changing truth:

Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever…”

Morris Chapman: “Yesterday, Today, And Forever”

Nor can you fail to remember that story in the Book about a wise man who “built his house upon the rock”, with the foundation so deep it lent this house storm-defying, rain-resisting audacity and strength. Why, not even the ravages of time could bring this house down! The Great Teacher, the Master Story-teller said this represents everyone who puts into practice whatever they hear from Him. Worth pondering, as our attitude to this has eternal consequences. The Master said so. Read it for yourself in Matthew 7:21-29.

Well, they had great fun exploring this beautiful little territory.

All too soon though, it was time to leave the land of the Rock. Back to the hotel they drove. Torgbui, ever the Great Outfitter, produced T-shirts for everyone plus some green shorts-and-top Prison garb, sorry, gym wear.  “And there was evening, and there was morning”, to borrow from the Bible Book of Genesis, ushering in the second day of the tour. It was raining cats and dogs, with lightning, not unlike the tropical rainstorms that these Gold Coasters were so familiar with in the “Beloved Country”. They congratulated themselves on their decision to go to the land of the Rock the previous day, a decision which now seemed very prescient. Methinks I saw a smile or two on the faces of these young men stemming from the fact that they didn’t have to go to the gym after all due to the rain 😊

The show must still go on though, so to the Canteen, and to the first of three daily buffets. Doesn’t it say somewhere in the song they sing on the hill that “we shall never be beaten”, that “we shall always bear the palm”?

1st round Victory for the VP: Giving new meaning to “cleaning your plate” 😁

“Asui” over, and weighed down by their over-zealous, some would say ill-advised, indulgence in the canteen,  it was time to stroll and take in the sights in a bid to “lighten the load”. After some debate about whether lunch should be skipped, everybody agreed that their presence in the canteen was not negotiable, even if that meant going easy on the food, and that’s what happened.

The rain had eased up by then and the sun was now shining brightly, so these guys hopped into the van and went touring.

That evening was set aside for AGM. In the green gym-wear 😉

 

Great AGM it was. Two lovely venues were suggested for the next meeting in June, but they shall remain a closely-guarded secret for now.

Another evening, another morning and all too soon, time to say good-bye and return to the realm of Her Majesty the Queen. Back to the airport to hand back the van – such a good servant it had been – and back to good ol’ England, arriving to the cold, the damp and the dreary, weather-wise. There is, after all, a reason for the saying “As unpredictable as the English weather”.

A new week was beginning the next day: back to the daily grind! “Give nothing but your best, and never think of rest…”, strengthened by the knowledge that it will soon be time to sing again the rousing notes of “Adisadel on the hill”.

Until June when, God willing, we “play up, play up” again, stay safe in His care!