The Arrowgroup

Day One: Saturday

A long day ahead for the Arrow Group as they travel over to Belgium. The day began with the wing mirror of the van being knocked resulting in the mirror falling out. Not what we wanted.

Nevertheless, off we went, arriving at the Channel Tunnel for the ride over. Then followed a 4 hour trek across Belgium via Liege and Eupen to our destination at a village called Sourbrodt near the German border, not far from Malmedy.

We collected the key from the landlady to a nice hunting lodge situated back from the Rue de Pre Louis which, though basic, was very nice. It also happened to contain a children's slide as well as a private zoo next door containing wallabies, emus and deer amongst other animals.

Aftr we settled in it was a well deserved meal and drink at a local pub, the Taverne de Botrange. It was there we discovered the good Doctor Hoegaarten's elixier wheat beer which went down a treat.

Day Two: Sunday

The day awoke with a hearty breakfast to prepare us for the day's events. For today we would be visiting some caves, to wit, the Grottes de Remouchamps. This consisted of a boat ride through the cave system, Stuart admitted later to being claustraphobic during the visit.

After sub main we then drove a little further to visit the December 1994 Museum in La Gleize, Stoumont, which contained exhibits from the second world war with displays and artillary such as tanks etc.

A drive back to the lodge and once again a meal and drink awaiting in Sourbrodt to finish off the day.

Day Three: Monday

Another day dawned and it was Mark and Chris's turn to make the breakfast. They had expected to put their feet up as this was to be a more continental style affair with crossants expected to be buttered and perhaps some coffee to be made. But the group had other ideas. All manner of requests started to pour in leading to them doing a lot more work than envisiged. This was to blot thier copybook which would only get worse the next year.

That done, we headed out to the Lac et Barrage at Robertsville for a wander about and general mill. After that was done we headed to a theme park called Tele-Coo Park. Much fun was to be had with rides on the toboggan, chairlift, log flume and various fairground rides. Lots of good filming was also had.

All that activity tired us out enough, so where better to relax than back at the Taverne de Botrange in the evening?

Day Four: Tuesday

The weather had held up for us on this trip and today was no exception with another warm sunny day. Today would see us crossing the border a short distance away over to Germany, where we would visit another lake area, Rurtelsperre.

The Germans of course, are known like rules so we had to register our dingy, without the motor as they weren't allowed. We got a nice sticker to put on the boat at any rate. The day was then spent messing around in said boat, swimming and cavorting about as we do.

After that a call into a cafe on the L128 at Woffelsbacher for a nice cooling Fanta and Coke. This was followed by a pleasant game of crazy golf and the trip back home. This then provided a good opportunity to do some DSA. Nic decided to spend this by going for walk. All good except when he came back he was up to his knees in mud, turned out he fell in a swamp! Then walked some more and fell into another swamp. Oh dear..

Day Five: Wednesday

The last day and homeward bound. After shooting some video of us leaving we departed Sourbrodt for the last time. A good trip then, with lots of activities completed and good weather made for a great Arrow gathering.

Next year will see us back in blighty on the south coast.