International Trip – Madrid
February 2011

Upon joining Table many years ago, I was taken by some of the experienced Tablers fond memories of international visits. Latterly Falkirk Round Table have resurrected adherence to Objective Number 6:- “…the establishment of peace and goodwill in international relationships”

Falkirk Tablers have now completed 3 bi-annual trips with a visit to Berlin in 2007, Stockholm in 2009 and during 2011 savoured the delights of Madrid.

Harbouring the hopes of a more agreeable climate to that of Stockholm, our group of 20 were a little disappointed to be greeted by sleet and snow upon disembarking during February 2011.

With the customary duties of organising the trip falling to the vice chairman, the first night's entertainment seemed to be “hunt the restaurant”.

Upon discovering the well occupied restaurant, Michael Winner would say;
“ although the wine was not of the best vintage - the iced lolly pudding was in keeping with the rest of the meal.”

Our group did however manage to locate the now obligatory Irish themed bar, albeit after a diversion through one or two of Madrid’s finest local hosteriás.

The previous evening’s cobwebs were blown away as our group enjoyed the historic sights of Madrid from an open top bus during Saturday morning. Taking in the delights of the local cuisine proved to be a memorable highlight and suffice to say that the “hot chocolate con churros” certainly warmed the cockles. Further encounters enjoyed by our group included the meeting of a local dog and his owner in one of the many plazas and the tour of the Bernabéu.

Unfortunately we did not meet with the local Madrid Round Table on the Saturday night and some of our group took in the sublime skills on show at the Vicente de Calderón as Atlético entertained Villarreal. Comparing the atmosphere at this game to a Falkirk match with vuvuzelas is perhaps taking things a bit too far! The more discerning among us discovered the delights of Madrid in a most comfortable restaurant. Reminiscent of an inside meeting, the group were led in a “psycho-analysis” session by our very own retail management consultant.

Culture was certainly the order of the day during an early Sunday morning visit to Madrid’s Reina Sofia gallery of modern art, whereupon our group were overawed by Picasso’s Guernica. The pleasures of Madrid’s Parque del Retiro were also enjoyed by those among us who were culturing our hangovers!

Upon our return, a past chairman was taken aback when his once sceptical wife suggested that Table should make the honouring of objective number six an annual event. To show that Tablers do indeed listen to their better halves, a further visit is in the process of being organised and 15 of our group are looking forward to the culture on offer in Munich.
Look out Munich as Falkirk Round Table will be landing on 24th February 2012…….I wonder if they have an Irish Bar?
 
Yours in Table
David Croal (FRT Official Travel Agent)