The James Court Endeavour

The flight to Malaga was at 6.30 am on Friday morning, so it is understandable that the WRS party would probably have to wait until we arrived in Malaga itself. Everyone had a good sleep and made sure they were energised for a great weekend.

We arrived in Malaga and had an initial inspection and acclimatisation to the 5* hotel, which was very nice indeed. We then headed down the plaza and set about integrating with the local people in a nearby restaurant, were tapas and copious amounts of Sangria were consumed and integration was achieved.

We also witnessed the start of a phenomenon created by Chris Morton Collings of getting local Spanish musicians and street artists to perform happy birthday to Francis Dunleavy (Managing Director) even though it wasnt his birthday. The first of many being a Spanish Classical guitarist with a very big hat, think the Doritos advert.

Later on that day, we drank cocktails and cervezas at the harbour side, and witnessed John Wilsons excellent impersonation of Britains Olympic hero Tom Daley (minus budgie smugglers). By the time we left to head back to the hotel at 9pm, most felt like it was nearer 2 or 3am. The sangria had taken its toll for all but a few young guns who headed in taxis to Puerto Buenas near Marbella, for Fun, Frolics, Hip Hop and Rap. Mark Brown and Fran Dunleavy were tucked up in bed with a nice cup of coco, they knew tomorrow would be a long day.

By Saturday midday, everyone was up, and after a quick feed in a local restaurant and a few drinks in the sun we made time for two of the North Wests top four footballing teams. There was another visit to the harbour and attended numerous other bars, where WRS management were only too happy to oblige in the purchase of yet more alcohol.

The weekend in my mind will be best remembered for the local Spanish artist who were hired to perform happy birthday on numerous occasions to an unsuspecting Fran Dunleavy.

In addition to the Spanish guitarist on Friday, there was a

Saxophonist (who also provided bonus track of Eye of the Tiger, baker street and the Pink Panther theme for free) Clarinet Player An accordion player and his 92 year old father who sang and danced in the middle of a pub to Fran.

A pub full of WRS employees and Manchester City fans from Altrincham and Hale that were there at the time Fran was also given some balloon glasses and gyrated to, by a Spanish Goblin in Leopard Skin pants Chris Canning and Lee Jackson also deserve mention for their attempt to bring a Spanish Quartet, half way across Malaga town for what would have been a stand out performance, but by this stage Fran was in stealth mode and had gone under cover.

The whole weekend was a great laugh and with a great hotel, good weather and very nice local people, a good time was had by all.

Fran has mentioned that for next year the WRS trip will be to Las Vegas. I have already made initial enquiries over the weekend into the cost of hiring Barry Manilow to sing Happy Birthday to Francis Dunleavy and will be speaking with Chris Morton Collings in due course. To be continued.