Royal Engineers Regimental Summer Ball - 13th July 2007

It was that time of year again for Cacketts summer ball. This time the event was to be held in Monmouth where James is based. The barracks are at Monmouth Castle. Each year the ball acts as a get sort of reunion of the old gang from earth sciences at uni. And more often than not they are somewhat of a drunkard affair.

Pi and Sian where up from London and Stu from Cardiff (via brum). We met at James' and Nats flat in downtown Monmouth, then headed to the barracks to get ready. Sadly the weather didn't make the ball feel particularly summery - it was a bit damp to say the least (probably the fact it was Friday 13th had something to do with it). It did hold off enough to enable a quick dash across the parade ground the dodgems though. After all what would an army ball be without the dodgems.

Stu is expecting the call from McClaren any day now...Lewis is bricking it.

Dinner was served followed by a ceili in the officers mess and a disco in the squaddies mess. Irish jigging didn't really appeal so to the bar it was. Then to the dodgems, then to the bar, then the the dodgems - you get the picture.

This man defends the Empire - worrying

Come 3am breakfast was served, so G&T in hand we headed off for a fry up before passing out.

Saturday dawnwed and hangovers were cleared with (another) fry up at Weatherspoons in Monmouth. Then it was off to the Gower via Cardiff for a nights camping at Llangennydd. There was a slight worry that people may not find the campsite due to none of us really being locals to the Gower. But it was ok because after superb directions form myself and Stu confidence was high amongst the troops that we would all make it.

Well everyone else made it apart from Stu and I. One missed turn, and a lot of 'I don't remember this bit' we arrived a couple of hours after everyone else who made it first time! Ah well.

Whilst the others in the party (some of James' other mates) sat round drinking tea and eating scones, Stu and myself set to work in getting trollied. Out came the beer. Then it was off to the beach to play frisbee and fly a kite. The wind was too light for the kite and after we lost the frisbee in the water we headed back to camp and on to the pub for food and beer. At closing it was back to the dunes, beer coat on to put the world to rights.

In a bold time saving iniciative Stu and myself had decided to for go the tent pitching when we arrived in the day light to allow maximum beer and beach time (and to make the most of the sun - which was rare this summer). It was now 2.30am and we were drunk, with no torch trying to pitch our tent in the dark. Classic. Midly entertaining. Thankfully being camping (and drinking pros) we managed it and collapsed into a coma. Then it rained. And rained some more. And that was it for the rest of the weekend really - wet.

All things considered I had a good weekend. It was what I needed at the time. Thanks to James for the invite, and to Sian, Pi and Stu for making it another classic.