End of the Qualifying Matches

Friday morning and an early 07:30 start for Bruges. I have seen it spelt Bruge Brugge and Bruges so leave me out of that one. Four women and me in the car so I soon settled who was driving and the ground rules.

Note to self, there is a 24/7 ‘problem traffik’ around Antwerp – cost is 30 mins on the way there and 60 on the way back. Anyway we arrive in a very cold Bruges and take the 30 minute canal tour which gives us a nice appreciation of this most beautiful city. Apart from the large number of chocolate shops which interests some more than others (tehe). The real attraction here is the beautiful Flemish and Medieval buildings and the charm of the people, shops and general feeling of the place.

Two of the girls have an idea to climb the 363 steps to the top of the belfry until they see the queue for an hour and €24 cost. We meet up again and go for a quite acceptable Chinese Lunch where the girls pay for the chauffeur which was kinda nice.

Back to the venue to find out that the husbands, The Aussie Seniors Team had a good day and they are looking more prospective to qualify. I have another buffet at the hotel with Bobby Richman and Deb Guthrie as I really didn’t feel like going out.

Next morning I get an SMS to say that 4 more of my photo albums have been scanned and are ready to collect so that will be something exciting when I get back if there isn’t enough excitement awaiting me already.

Saturday morning and I work the first two matches and the Australian Seniors do well while New Zealand and Australian Open are variable. I watch the last match on my computer and when the music stops.

OPEN

WOMEN

SENIORS

Player Performance
Open
HANS - NUNN 0.30 / 240 Boards
EDGTTON- GOSNEY -0.08 / 256
DELMONTE - GROSVENOR -0.10 / 176
WomenBERMAN - CLARK -0.18 / 224 Boards
McLEISH - RANKIN -0.41 / 240
LACHMAN - SNASHALL -0.57 / 208
SeniorsHAUGHIE - KLINGER +0.50 / 256 Boards
BRAITHWAITE - RICHMAN +0.38 / 224
BUCHEN - CHRISTIE -0.08 / 192

Anyway the Seniors splits into two groups and I go with Klingers/Richmans/Mullamphy and Bowie to Steaks and Zo. Apparently the steaks were wonderful but I ordered Mushroom soup – from a can noch, Baked Garlic Mushroom – roasted to within an inch of inedible and Prawn Cocktail – not good so didn’t wind up with a good meal. Anyway I left early and walked in three degrees cold back to the hotel.

Sunday morning and I am sitting here watching France vs New Zealand Rugby and France closing in at 7-8 in a match much closer than people thought and which makes it much more ‘citing than it could have been.

I am working the last two matches today and have tomorrow off all day but…..there is a 09:30 Bridge Press Association AGM and as I am on the committee…..GRR. I had planned to rent a car and take in the nearby villages but that plan seems quashed by the meeting.

Anyway, I am having a VERY good time as always at bridge tournaments. Boye Brogeland and Juan Carlos Ventin arrive today along with some other friends who are readying to play in the Transnational Teams so new company and new friends to meet and greet.

I hear the Kitchen tea and Buck’s night all went well so that is good as we count down the last 14 days to the wedding of my darling daughter.

Signing off from Veldhoven Holland
XD