We are on our way

Pope McGuire prepares himself for some R and R

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This marks the third year in a row we have traveled to Europe. In 2011 it was the bike barge tour of the Loire. A fabulous trip with good friends, The Butlers, the McGuires and the Maclachlans. The trip was documented on a previous blog: The Tildesleys in Europe 2011.

Last year Deborah and I had 2 weeks of biking in Holland, a few days in Berlin ( which I found more moving than expected), then on to London to watch Donovan make finals in his 4 events. For the first time I was not on deck but high in the stands just another spectator. I missed the closeness of the team , but not the pressure and responsibility. It was the second time that Donovan implied retirement, his future is his own decision , he can still swim fast but the world is going faster.

This year we will be satisfying a number of agendas. Yes, there is the biking but we will be self guiding. Admittedly the route takes us down the Danube, a wrong turn to the left gets you wet, to the right away from the river. The main challenge will be in the towns we are scheduled to stop in. On this trip we again team up with the McGuires, and Drew Thompson, a skilled cyclist and navigator. Like golf, there is no greater optimism than on the first tee and our group continues such expectations along with the fear of the unknown.

McGuire and I have other responsibilities. We are members of the Canadian Seniors Golf Association. This is the oldest organization in Canadian Senior Golf, with Brian McGuire being a very hard working Governor. There are approximately 1000 members nation wide with the main activities an annual tournament in eastern Canada as well as 2 satellite tournaments, one in Florida in the spring, the other in the BC Interior in the fall. Another huge benefit are the international connections with other seniors. This year Canada was invited to the King Leopold Invitational tournament in Belgium. There will be 2 Canadian foursomes, and 3 BC reps, McGuire, John Nugent and myself.John Nugent belongs to multiple clubs , in Vancouver , Shaughnessy and a number in Europe including Royal Port Marnoch and a club outside of Bristol. As a little warm up Captain Nugent , insisted on team building and practise, thus 3 days at Burnham on the Sea has been arranged.

We left Vancouver on a spectacular day, no clouds a gentle breeze and 24 degrees C. Carol McGuire kindly picked me up, I was able to track his progress to my home  as we had synchronized iphones using the “friends” app. This of course was suggested by Drew to make sure that we find each other when he and the ladies land in Munich . We entered the airport and make our way to kiosks to check in and get baggage tags. I was impressed that we accomplished the task quite efficiently.

I have read Steve Jobs biography. I love his expression regarding sub standard work…. He described it as “ SHIT”.

I often see such aberrations of efficiency, and I use the Jobs expletive.

My mind kept saying “inside voice, inside voice”, as the man at the counter removed the tags we had dutifully and efficiently applied by going through the self serving station.He explained the tagged luggage had no chance of getting to Heathrow unless he had intervened.

What the ….

1) You watched as we tagged our bags

2) You chose not to tell us of  the “rules”

3) You tried to tell us what a favour you had done  by observing 1) and 2)

This idiot should have been fired on the spot…Steve would have!!The Air Canada motto rules! “ We are not happy until you are unhappy!”

We next made our way to the AMX lounge. By paying a large annual fee I have access to such lounges and can bring a family member as a guest. We got in and I sold Brian as my Dad. Currently the high point of the trip! As we entered she asked seriously. “ Is he really your Dad?” I of course nodded the affirmative.

The flight was smooth. Our bulkhead seat allowed for ample foot room and we had a good view of business class, 1 row ahead for a mere $1700.00 extra. The tailwinds helped and landing 40 mins early was a plus.

Next Heathrow then Bristol.