Wednesday, 28 June, 2017 Weather – cold and wet

Overnight there was heavy rain. So after a stretch of warm to hot weather, it is now cool and the sky is threatening. We go over to the Lodge for breakfast which is beautifully set-up with lots of cold foods. There is some complaints about the accommodation.

There is to be a picnic around midday. Most of the troops are lead on a walk there. Nola and I are to be driven there but take a couple of snaps before we go to the lodge to meet Nikki.

We get into the van which is a 4WD, along with Milo. We drive not too far away to a trail that leads to a small lodge and a covered picnic bench. It starts to rain so we settle on the balcony of the lodge. Nikki brings red wine.

We get a call, the troops have hiked to the wrong place. They will hike back. Apparently it was quite a difficult hike. About an hour later Nikki went out to find them and after another 30 minutes or so they showed up, quite wet from the rain.

Later Capo, Sigrid, Graeme and Sues arrive with Kate. There is lots of cold food and people settle in for the food and wine.

It is then that the Mutiny comes to the fore. There is much discussion about Colin’s “brand”. In essence, the issue is that we were paying for 5 star accommodation and what has been provided is 2 star or less. Being split apart is also not good. An abashed Capo indicates that he is organising for us to leave for Lyon a day early, tomorrow. Later he advises that rooms and the bus have been booked.

Everybody leaves with most walking back. Nola, Kate and I hop into the car with Milo helping Nikki drive.

Back to the Gite for some more Blog work. Dinner is later and it is still raining, when there is a slight break we go over to the Lodge. We find that everyone else is there and into drinks.

Colin puts on a special White, top rated. Then he puts on a special Red – 2004 Barolo from Sigrid.

Our Hosts had not heard her sing before and were quite impressed. The Susan sits down and leads popular songs with Rob on the guitar doing chords.

Then it is off to dinner. Tonight our group is upstairs and the other is down in the basement.

I exchanged by Grappa with Julie for the rest of her red wine. The group settles in for some yahooing but we are not stayers and hit the sack.