Bill Price

The winner of the Naff Souvenir competition. Sorry about the picture quality - something big had blocked out all the light.* WPG2 Plugin Not Validated *

Here’s the motley crew. From left to right Lady Marj in David’s jumper, the little rude boy, Invisible Mike, Anna and Heather.* WPG2 Plugin Not Validated *

The first meeting of the Couples couples in 2006 was in London. We’d agreed to have a Theatre weekend in March, so your blogger, as honorary Convenor, was tasked with finding and booking the hotel and theatre. Luckily the internet connection in Kabul stayed up, and londontown.com got us a good deal at the Copthorne Tara in Kensington. Finding a play or musical was more difficult; because we had to ensure the entertainment would keep David awake, rather than everyone else from his snoring. We eventually settled on The Producers at the Royal Court, Drury Lane, and paid Ticketmaster the normal ticket cost plus charges. 

March 24th saw us meet up in the Hotel bar as normal. Invisible Mike & Anna had checked in at 2pm, when non-smoking rooms weren’t yet available, but by the time Dave and Heather, Bill & Marj arrived, our rooms on the 10th floor were ready. In the evening we sauntered round to a nice Italian Restaurant, where the food was fine and the service laid back. 

Back in the Hotel bar we held the Committee meeting, of which the highlight was the Treasurer’s report. Our investment portfolio is now extremely healthy, and although not enough to buy a round, should keep us in luxury in our Anchor Home at some point in the future. The Competition theme this time was “naff souvenirs”, which despite creditable entries dredged from places as far apart as Devon and Bangladesh, David won handsomely with his Beefeater duck from Stratford-upon-Avon (picture to follow) 

Our 15th anniversary holiday cruise in April 2008 could be to Alaska &/or Hawaii – more planning for the Convenor. The next meeting was to be planned for Canterbury at the end of September . 

Saturday morning saw us standing outside the hotel for an hour and a half. The Fire Alarm went off at 7.50am, and we weren’t allowed back in until 9.15am by the Fire Brigade. As recompense, the hotel provided everyone with a free breakfast. 

After breakfast, we took a stroll through Hyde Park, visited the Diana memorial, up Park Lane to Oxford St and into Selfridges for ages and ages. In the evening we took taxis to Covent Garden, and had dinner in an Anatolian Restaurant. At the Royal Court theatre we enjoyed The Producers, ice creams at £3 each and bottled water at £2. 

Taxis home took us back to the hotel Bar – where Mike was invisible again! We took photos with mobile phones and passed them round by Bluetooth.  After Sunday breakfast, we all checked-out, and got our various taxis & trains home.