roots 2007

So this weekend has been Roots 2007, the Army's annual jolly to Southport. Once again I was working on the Medical team. Let's just say we were kept busy but not too rushed!

I took the train from Euston on Friday afternoon and did my Dutch study on the way up. When I arrived I booked into my hotel, got my wristband and badge and, much to the delight of the Med team, arrived at the team meeting (I should have been working until 11pm but had the day off.)

First thing to do was to be medi-man at the Parklife venue for youth and young adults. My good chum Matt White was the leader of the venue and was preaching on Friday night. I didn't hear his preaching but from what those who were levaing said, it was up to his usual high standard. The after hours gig at Parklife was a chat show with Matt, Glyn and Chell (all linked on the left hand side.) Chell was the intelligent questioner, Glyn was the pretty one and Matt was the one who ripped everyone to shreds. It was quite funny.

Saturday morning was started with a lovely cooked breakfast followed by Good Morning Roots! The band were, as always, fantastic, with the now traditional fixtures of Geraldine Latty, Raul D'Oliveira, Nick and Trish Parrans-Smith and Calvin Hollingworth. I gave the first bible study (on Jonah) a miss and went for a shower and half an hour's sleep. After a healthy luncheon of cheeseburger and chips I went to the football tournament. I have no idea of who won, as the final was on Sunday and it was raining. I have no idea why the only casualty of the day walked back to the medical centre. I do know however that I spent all afternoon talking to the world's worst blogger, Mike McCredie.

After meeting up with StopGap buddy, Laura Barton, we jollied off to the evening venue at Parklife. Chick Yuill was speaking, and attending Roots for the first time since leaving officership. As was to be expected, he was excellent and great to listen to. After hours was Electralyte and [dweeb] in concert. They were both very good, although only one of them is my style of music. (Don't worry Matt, Jon and Paul - it's you!)

Once again I was one of the medical bods for Good Morning Roots! Once again I skipped the bible study and went for a shower. In the afternoon I watched a bit of the football then played some pitch and putt with Dennis and David. An evening in the Big Top with Steve Chalke followed before another After Hours with [dweeb] at Parklife. After that I went for a curry with the bands and the wives and girlfriends and assorted hangers on. Eating a curry at 12.50am is a fun experience.

Monday was a day off, so I went to the Big Top with a friend who I caught up with over the weekend. After that, pizza was eaten and I wended my merry way back to the hotel and then to the train home.

Finally I arrived back in Denmark Hill at about 7.30pm quite tired and well in need of sleep (which came at about midnight...)

Timmy "Medical Man" Magic