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Some Random Thoughts on Visiting
The Secretary sipped his early morning tea and thought to himself ”I am getting too old for this sort of thing” he glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece, 04.25, still dark outside, probally below zero too.His thoughts were interupted by the soft tones of the front door bell.
It was the Entered Apprentice, exactly one hour too early!!! This was explained by the language dilemma, 0530 in German translates as half before five i.e.0430 in English!
The Entered Apprentice was not just any E.A.,he was the newest member of the lodge being only three months a Mason, but he had already visited in the Fatherland (in fact an Installation as well,where he had in fact “perambulated” for the home team) this however would be his first visit to UK and a UK Lodge Installation. What was also of great importance,he was the driver ----- at least as far as Calais!!!
The doorbell rang again,this time it was the Past Master.He entered and greeted the other two, he had vsited the UK lodge last year and was looking forward to visit again and renew old accquaintances and friendships.
The next person to arrive was the Master,with his usual efficiency he produced the tickets and queried that all had their passports,there was a horrified gurgle from the Past Master who announced that his was in the jacket which he had worn last evening!!!
With this comment we were in the large BMW travelling slightly faster than normal in a 20 minute detour to pick it up.
The schedule was to catch the 8.50hrs boat but due to the detour and despite the valiant attempts of the Entered Apprentice (he even posed for a snap-shot at 180 kph in Belgium ) we arrived before the departure time ,but not in time to board.
Having caught the next boat we all settled down to a ”Heart Attack” breakfast, after which we retired to the “pointed end” to watch the white cliffs of Dover get ever closer.This was where we had a change of Driver, the Master taking the wheel for the duration of the UK journey.
The weather was sunny but cold and the Entered Apprentice was able to contemplate the English countryside as the Master had set the Nav-Aid to take us the pretty way,which was a good idea but,---BMW´s are thirsty beasts and our antics on the autobahns of Holland and Belgium had left us extremely low on fuel the Nav –Aid was therefore adjusted to get us to the nearest filling station.This was an interesting exercise which involved going up a dead end farm track,through a closed caravan site, which induced our Entered Apprentice to query why English people parked their caravans in such inaccesible places!! Having filled up, the Master proceeded to pull out of the filling station much to the anquish of his front seat passenger who was mentally still in Germany and had visions of a frontal accident with two cars travelling at speed on the other side of the road.
Eventually we reached our destination (early as good masons are!! ) left the car in the Lodge car park and set off to find the nearest Fish & Chip shop ------another bonus for our Entered Apprentice!!
After devourng a piece of Cod which would have covered two pages of the “News of The World” we returned to the Lodge where their Secretary had arrived and greeted us as long lost brothers!!
The Ceremony was of the highest standard due perhaps to the presence of three D of C`s one of them being the Provincial D of C who was acconpanying the Provincial Past Grand Master who was the guest of honour.The ritual was also unusual, being a mixture of East Sussex and the lodge`s own traditional ritual handed down from antiquity .
After the ceremony there was an hour before the Festive Board and this was fully enployed in renewing old acquaintences (Jim Clark and Lodge Viatores members),being introduced to new members who were interested in our Lodge, and quenching our thirst!!
The Festive Board itself was well attended with a minimum of short speeches, the normal toasts and with the Masters song being performed admirably by a professional singer and the two Wardens. As we tendered our farewells and started on the journey home we all agreed, that although it had been hectic it was well worth the effort just to see the pleasure (and surprise ) on the Lodge members faces as they heard that we had travelled all the way from Germany just to be there.
The rest is history : On the last boat, a few presents for our ladies, several glasses of “Murphys” and then the long drive back home.Our Entered Apprentice should be congratulated on his driving ability, but even he had to call it a day ( good pun, it was about 5.30 then) just outside Liege when the Master took over the driving and got every body home safe and sound .
The Secretary looked at the clock on the mantlepiece. 06.15, “ I think that I am getting too old for this sort of thing “,------ but he knew in his heart that he would be on the list to go next year!!!!
The Author didn’t want to be named (but we all know him anyway!!)
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