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MULANJE EXPATRIATES THREEPEAKS SOCIETY

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Liguria, Italy. 23-27 August 2000

Another adventure extraordinnaire (I composed this sitting on the sea front at Nice). The usual Meths cock-up, being asked to do the write up after the event! There will be gaps as no notes were taken (Petzold, why can't you ask before?). Following journeys that would boggle the mind, everyone pitched up at Colle di Nava on the due day or a day early or two hours late (the chairman, of course). Some stayed at the Albergo Sorriso hotel, others at L'Alpino with a mass reunion dinner at the latter. Unfortunately on the way back from L'Alpino (no pavement, no light), Sadie fell and cut her knee which required a late-night ambulance to take her to hospital for stitches.

Thursday, 24 August

0900, off from Sorriso minus the chairman (up all night with Sadie), and Janet Woods (babysitting). It was a hot and sunny day and some of the party only went part of the way (Robert and Samantha). The countryside was pleasant with pine forest opening up into open grassland up to Monte Della Guardia (1,654m), then on to Monte Armetta (1,739m) in four hours. Lunch and a water stop gave a welcome break with beautiful views over valleys and villages. The return was approximately on the same route and the highlight was meeting the chairman, who had decided to have a short walk, finishing his last beer. The last hour was a bit weary, as the heat took its toll, not surprising since we had been on the hoof for 7½ hours.

Friday, 25 August

We all had to check out of the hotels, and miraculously were away by 0915 for the traverse to Hotel Negro. Those with cars kindly organised the baggage transfer while the walkers, after a promising start on wide tracks, disappeared into the bush through brambles and down slabs, much to the consternation of Samantha who does all her climbing in East Anglia! Some of the party had planned to catch a bus at Pieve di Teco, and since the terrain had slowed us down, we all had to catch a bus to Pieve di Teco. Even with Rupert acting as interpreter, the bus ride turned into a comic opera. When questioned the driver said yes the bus to Centavo left from the same place he would stop at, yes, his bus was late, but no, they would not miss the connection. When the bus stopped, and the driver was asked if the bus for Cénova was coming soon, he announced that this is the bus for Cénova! Quite a few opted for the comic bus transfer, while Rupert, Jack, Daphne, Scott x 2, Wood x 2, and Mike, had a quick drink and lunch, robbed an ATM, and noted that the temperature was showing 34°C, and this at an altitude of 240m. The party set off at 1.30 to tackle the ridge at 800m, through a shady wood, which seemed to keep the temperature at 34°C. The UK-based Scotts melted in the heat and were almost in danger of being overtaken by Jack who is used to these temperatures. A weary, parched group descended to Hotel Negro, which was blessedly close to the ridge. When asked what they thought of the day's crossover, most said that the best bit was the bus ride! The hotel was far superior to those in Colle di Nava, with a jovial manager who seemed to do everything, and excelled particularly with his cooking. A leisurely afternoon with cold beers and a cold swim preceding the arrival of the baggage at about 6.00pm. The nitty gritty business of the AGM was the usual fiasco with a stop/start/stop effort before dinner. However, after an excellent four-course dinner, the AGM restarted (to be reported elsewhere), the highlights appeared to be a general disagreement on everything, "Midnight" Jack's drinking hat, and a terrific offer by Dave Harrison to organise Meths 2001 in the UK. Well done, Dave.

Saturday, 26 August

With all participants carrying double water rations (Rupert, Jack, Daphne, Stuart, Woods x 2, Petzold x 2, Scotts x 2), the Three Peaks started off on terraced paths leading to bush and forest. Halfway up, the path was lost and while thrashing around, Socks disappeared. Rupert eventually found a path and guided us skilfully to the wrong first peak (Monte Bisciaire 1,516m). Half an hour later, by some mystical Meths mountain telepathy, Socks stumbled in sweating and bleeding having pioneered the bramble path also to the wrong peak! We then descended to the two other peaks (what a blessing), Monte Ciazza del Bausso (1,228m), and Monte Negro (961m) whereupon midnight sank down and declared that everyone had done the Full Monty! Back at the hotel by 1.30 to enjoy a well-earned rest, swim, beers, and to talk about Meths past and future. We were joined by Sally and Margaret and Stephen Harrison and Bernadette and enjoyed another wonderful four-course dinner which culminated in a sweet choice of doughnut or peach. Doughnut appears to be a loose translation for cold custard! After dinner, an attempt at the Suswa wash ceremony commenced. An eye-witness report from Midnight (catching a sly smoke on the terrace) tells of much too-ing and fro-ing for 40 minutes before everyone who couldn't find anyone, called it a day and went to bed without a mug being fired!

Sunday, 27 August

Fond farewells. Roschniks + Margaret by car to Switzerland; Petzolds and Leslies by train to Switzerland, Wards by car to Bosnia; Scotts to Imperia for some oxygen; Masons by train to Nice; Harrisons to France by car; Daphne by train and ferry to Majorca; Jack by train to Frankfurt.

Conclusion

Not only did Rupert organise, recce, and lead the meet, but he acted as interpreter while checking in and out of hotels, paying bills, buying food, and at every mealtime, translating the menu (except the doughnut error, of course). He was a tower of strength and patience and had to share rooms with the snorers and the coughers. How can we thank you, Rupert? "Midnight" Jack Bannister

Meet participants

Rupert "West Face" Roschnik, Eric "Polevault" Scott, Val Scott, Mike "Mad" Petzold, Verena "Muesli" Petzold, Stephen "Ballcrusher" Ward, Pauline Ward, Lloyd Woods, Janet Woods, Ryan Woods, Gavin Woods, Daphne "DM³" Martin, Stuart "Socks" Leslie, Rhoda Leslie, "Midnight" Jack Bannister, Dave "Lord of the Big Ruo" Harrison, Judy Harrison, Stephen Harrison, Bernadette, Ian "Mad Axeman" Mason, Sadie Mason, Robert Mason, Samantha Clutten.

Quote of the meet

Man with dog walking towards Petzold and Socks.
Petzold: 'Look at the balls on that!'
Socks: 'Yes the dog's quite well hung too!'

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