Independence Day, Friday 4th July 2003, was host to the fourth annual ENTEE and Travel Gateway BBQ. This year, in proportion with the growth in the organization, the number of invitations was doubled and a huge marquee erected. This time the English summer weather was not going to get the better of us and true to form it did not rain!
THE GUESTS
There was a great mixture of people this year:
- GDS customers
- Web design customers
- Ship building customers
- Overseas partners (from Canada, Germany, Greece and USA)
- Ferry affiliates
- Low cost operators
- Many new employees
- All the usual crowd
- …and all the partners. |
TENNIS TOURNAMENT
 In the early afternoon a very enjoyable, if slightly complicated, round-robin mixed-doubles tennis tournament took place. As usual, this was a keenly fought affair. However, at the crucial quarter-final stage the temptation of more free beers and kamikaze Banana riding proved to be too strong and the event was abandoned!
WATERSKIING
Several notables include:
Thierry (from France) who was dragged around the lake as part of his initiation into the company.
David (GlobeLynx) who always puts in a solid performance, showing us all how its done.
Michael (TTG) and Iain (Family friend) performing wake-boarding tricks in the dark after the meal!
BANANA RIDES
After Toni gracefully swam in after the first two dunks, this turned into an all-male brawl. Simon Ashberry, AKA Gadgetman, again this year abandoned his role as sensible IT manager and transformed into the red-eyed, finger pointing bull of the banana. Nick Rowley, Commercial, just about kept up with the pace but was left battered and bruised at the end. Steve Thurlow, Incat, put in a brave effort for Australia……but in the end the English might of the HDs (Greg, Mike and James) won out!
EVENING MEAL
Provided by local Italian restaurateur Don Giovanni. The food was an excellent mixture of cold meats, cheeses, Mediterranean salads and pasta dishes. Dessert was strawberries and cream, all washed down with vast quantities of wine and beer.
THE BAND
As the meal concluded the ‘experienced’ band, Backbeat, jumped up to perform some classic renditions. This encouraged everyone to dance and from the photos was very appealing to the more mature guests. It was even reported that listeners several miles away in South Oxfordshire wanted to give their feedback - all positive of course.
Click here to view the slideshow of the event
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