Around three weeks after the 29 Field Squadron Reunion, a group of ex-sappers met up again at Geoff and Biggi's for their Silver Wedding Anniversary bash. Geoff very graciously put us all up at the hotel where the reception was being held.

Geoff did us all proud with the amount of time and effort that he put into the preparation - even down to asking me if I could assist him with putting out the place names on all the tables. The fact that I was on my way to the bar at the time is neither here nor there - valuable drinking time lost!

Not sure in what small way Biggi helped but I'm sure she did something. Just what, escapes me for now!!

On parade were Geoff (of course) & Biggi, Baz & Debs, Yorkie & Cheryl, Kubs & Paula, Mannie, Hoppy, Scotty & Norma, Percy & Cindy, Mike & Rose, Bob and Jim (myself) & Deirdre.

Drinking started early for a few of us. Namely Mannie, Bob and myself. Found a nice little pub not far from the hotel where the draught cider was very good.

Naturally, as Biggi comes from Germany there were a fair few of her relatives at the party.

Biggi's Relatives from Germany

The seating arrangements were such that all ex-vets were sitting together. Geoff had very kindly put name tags at each sitting place in case any of us got lost.

Now the picture below is pretty frightening. Apparently one of them just remembers tours of duty in Ireland whilst the other was at Rourkes Drift. I'm not saying which one was where!!

Two ex-Sappers

Below are Bob and Deirdre trying to look sober! The three youngsters below right are, from left to right, Percy, Hoppy and Baz.

As it was Geoff and Biggi's Wedding Anniversary, I suppose that it is only proper that a couple of pictures of them are included. So below we have the "happy" couple getting ready for the first dance.

It is customary in Germany to have party games on such occasions and this was no exception. Below you can see Biggi carrying a wedding cake made from Toilet rolls and the other picture shows Biggi's relatives dressed as monks. Now I have to admit that it was getting late on in the evening by this time and all I can remember them shouting was "Free Beer". Needless to say the army table was alert in no time at all, "where where!!" was our reply.

The most interesting game, for the spectators, was the one shown below where Geoff's head is through a hole in the sheet and Biggi's arms are through another two holes. Biggi has to feed Geoff yogurt, but she cannot see what she is doing. Then it's all swap and Geoff has to feed Biggi a banana. Lots of fun and hilarity.

It was a late night and the next morning breakfast seemed to last longer than usual. Partly due to the lack of enthusiasm to do anything. It was a lovely morning so there was time to sit outside and catch up on what we had been doing since we had last seen each other. All of three weeks!!

Soak the sun up

Well all that remains now is to thank Geoff and Biggi for a wonderful night's entertainment. Deirdre and I hope to see you both in September.