Swansea Round Table just got back from Helsinki. A party of 12 men and partners visited our Finnish twin Round Table Kauniainen 57.

Marathon man

With military efficiency past tabler Tony Currell had organised the minibus to take team SRT57 up to Gatwick on the Thursday night. The bus arrived as planned and almost as planned (?) someone had lost their passport in the house (surely shome mistake!). Passport found, panic over and everyone collected on the bus. Liquid supplies were procured for the route and this was the point that Rhidian embarked on his party marathon.We arrived safely at Gatwick airport and checked into the Bloc Hotel Gatwick. Rob and I decided to share a room in what can only be described as a bunk-bed broom cupboard. To be fair to Bloc, it was immaculate and really well presented ‘prison cell’ which was perfect for our needs of a cheap nights sleep (recommended!). A few cheeky beers and a meal later in the Weatherspoons twelve steps away (literally) and it was time to turn in and dream of Scandinavia. Big shout out to the Bee Hive bar as they organised a big table for us all to sit on.

Saturday morning, everyone present and correct we headed off for departures and security. Immediate past chairman Ian gave away his lovely bottle of Brandy to the nice man from OCS: International Facilities Management Services and I forgot to take outsome mostly used suntan lotion, again that went in the massive airport skip never to be seen again. It was time to sniff out some breakfast and feed the belly beast for the trip ahead using Norwegian Air. I think its safe to state that this was the ‘beehive’ equivalent of a stag-party mecca and we were dead lucky to find seats. Again excellent service and a good cooked breakfast at airport rates. Onto the plane, so far so good we were all excited to get going on the two hour flight to Helsinki………

Here we go!

Unfortunately London air space has now become so busy we had to wait an hour on the tarmac just to find a window to fly out of Blighty! Eventually we set off and before we knew it landed again, oh and Rhidian was still in the initial part of his party marathon on the plane. Now rumour has it that Nic had nothing to do with this position but I could have sworn that it was beer o’clock at the front of the plane? Into arrivals we collect our belongings and skipped through passport control. Still so far so good. Out the doors and there to meet us at the airport was Thomas and Marcus who were hosting some of the SRT57 party (what hosts they turned out to be). Sunnies on, bags packed the weather was immaculate too.

At this point I can only describe what happened to Rob and I……
We arrived at Marcus’s house and were introduced to his lovely wife and two sons. For me this is what international tabling is all about.

  Aim 5: “To Further the establishment of peace and goodwill in international relationships” 

Tough at the top

Marcus had a spacious detached house and we were afforded the luxury of staying in downstairs rooms next to the wet room, walk-in shower and sauna. It transpires that every and mean every home has a sauna but more on that later. We then headed off to the station to meet everyone in town on the party bus to take us to the frat house in the woods. Well it wasn’t a frat house per se but a lodge owned by the local borough who had rented it out the K57. There we met up with Rhidian and Nic who were firmly on the Tower Bridge part of their party marathon. Think of Nic as the coach and Rhid’ as the runner. We then had a choice, we could either go dip-hot tub-sauna or eat. I elected to dip! A short walk away we found the cabin, the outdoor wood fired hot tub and the sea. Andrew and I legged it down the decking and jumped in and then ran back to the hot tub. K57 had thought of everything (or maybe this is the norm) as they had a beer chiller stacked with tinnies. There we sat for half an hour sipping beer looking at the sun setting over the sea and saying to ourselves “it does not get much better than this”.

The walk back to the ‘frat house’ was uneventful and we settled back into saying hi to all those who had just arrived. At this point runner Rhid’ walked off to dip with the Dillenberg 57 (Germany) crew. After an excellent requisitioned BBQ and lots more beer we found the Cognac. I reckon it was approximately 4 hours later but out of the woods came party marathon man having successfully stayed in the hot tub all that time. At this point I was really impressed as he was in great shape, better than me!!! The bus arrived, we went home with Rob, Marcus and I sitting round and sipping Inkeepers Tipple as a nightcap.

Saturday morning, up and with home hosted breakfast inside me I decided to go for a stroll around suburban Finland having been reassured that there was sufficient time. On my return there appeared to be significant unease in my hosts and Rob’s eyes, we were late (again!). A quick trip thanks to Mrs Host and we were at the Station catching the train into town to meet up with everyone else. The plan was for us to board a chartered vessel and sail the seas. Rob and I scurried behind our host to make sure we did not miss the boat and out of the corner of our eyes but who do we see? RT Dillenberg supping beer and not looking in the least bit hurried. It transpired that the boat had caught fire!!! What else to do but have a glass whilst we waited to see what happened next.

Taxi’s arrived and off we travel to some undisclosed destination. Now on my travels I have heard some excellent expressions but this has to be my fav and will take some beating. The fins’ use the term for having a sour face, “hey why have you got a face like an elephants…..”. Much giggling in the back of the cab ensued when we heard that one. We arrive at the boat which is now in dock at the end of wooden jetty. I don’t know what i was expecting to find but there were no scorch marks or people leaping off decks (shame). There was however a very shaken Dentist (non-swimmer) who recounted the whole story to us. To be fair it did sound a bit too exciting for my disposition that morning and I was glad to have missed the events. Anyway, bar located and boat recced (I located life rafts, jackets and nearest land masses in under one minute) it turns out we are not to set sail or chug away as the engine was kaput. Everyone else arrived later in dribs and drab and we were all on board. Now at this point you may be wondering where marathon party man was? Where else but on the boat near the bar with a bottle of strong beer in his hand. Rhid’ seemed oblivious to the previous chaos or the meeting that was about to take place. Respect!

Approximately 40 men stowed away below in what can only be described as a medium size hall. We were to meet in the bows, midship and stern of the fireboat. The meeting kicked off and Vice Chairman Hefin was to represent the Welsh. After hearing all the other RT representative deliberations and reports, unlike the others Hefin stood up, walked to the front and proclaimed to be nervous. Contrary to this he then gave one of the best reports I have seen on these gatherings. Making everyone laugh, almost shoving a Gnome where it should not go (don’t ask!) and then walking away with the World Chairman title and chain due to the Witbank 57, South African Table not showing up.

We all surfaced bewildered by what had just happened. A Swansea tabler had been crowned prince! Next on the program was a fish stew with bread and butter. This delicious and welcome break from the liquid refreshments was followed by an enormous cake and coffee. We then hung around for a while and waited for the taxis to take us back to our digs and prepare for the evenings activities.

tada!

Once more Rob and I arrived late to get on the bus which was to take us to another lodge. The building must have been
at least 150 year old and I wondered how we would all squeeze into the place. Furthermore what would we be doing inside. Well in true 57 tabling style we were served an amazing buffet. This was followed by a rousing speech from the crowned Prince Hefin who exclaimed that ‘everyone had to keep it going’ several times. My interpretation of this was that we were to keep attending the World Meetings and not keep going with the beer pace. At this point in the weekend I was sure marathon man would have had his fill. I was mistaken. A quick power nap in a nearby Wendy house and he was back in the game again, remarkable!

The evening continued with a Finnish band and Irish singer rocking the whole party until midnight. Now the party was just getting started. We all embarked on the fun bus again to head into Helsinki party district. Well we made in 9/10ths of the way until it promptly ran out of diesel (my theory). We walked the rest of the distance and on arrival I decided that I had had enough and it was time to retire.

Sunday morning it was time to get up and start thinking about coming home. We packed our belongings and headed of Tomas’s house. There we were treated to an amazing farewell brunch with the option to hot tub and sauna.
I looked at Ian and suggested it would be impolite not to. Before we knew it the time had come to say farewell and thank our hosts for an excellent trip.

Arriving at the airport our party was split and no boarding passes were in sight. Some had already made it through security and were at the gate. We all convened and awaited our flight, which I must add was almost missed by marathon man. Unphased he relaxed onboard and continued to have a few beers.

We arrived at Gatwick all present and correct and our bus was there to take us home. Marathon man had secured enough provisions for the journey home which required an urgent to stop at Pyle (but we wont go into that). All in all an amazing weekend and see you in Dillenberg for the party next year!

Jamie