Whilst at the AGM’s these past two weeks, there were several attendees that mentioned that I hadn’t updated the bloggy blog with tales from the meetings.
Of course, given that we were having conversations with one another, it kind of felt like we each already knew what was going on at the meetings.
That said, I did recognize that I had refrained from blogging while traveling, but I also knew that I would catch everyone up, upon our return.
I will add here, that detailed write-ups and pictures will be published in the CCCC’s newsletter The Quarterly Worme, and the ICCA’s newsletter The Bottle Scrue Times in the coming issue.
For Sue and I, the trip began in London. We spent a couple of days traipsing around the city, before hopping a flight to Stockholm and a train to Katrineholm where we enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of Fredrik and Johanna and their boys; Edvin and Nils-Oscar.
After a fabulous evening at their home, and a lovely breakfast at their restaurant, we headed off to another one of their properties; Gripsholms Värdshus. Once again, it was a fantastic visit, with wine, food, wine, food, wine, food, and a few corkscrews.
The next morning, we hopped in a taxi that took us back to Stockholm, and we hopped on a plane to Oslo, and then a plane to Bodo.
We spent the afternoon exploring Bodo, before finding a charming wine bar where we would have dinner and then the next morning it was off to Lofoten!
The ICCA Annual General Meeting
We had a flight set to Lofoten, and when we arrived at the gate, we soon realized that several other attendees were on the same flight. And, when we landed, we were greeted by that many other Addicts and Go-Withs that had also just landed.
After retrieving our bags, we each hopped in various taxis and made our way to our hotel.
With a few hours before registration and the Right’s Reception, a bunch of us headed to an adjacent restaurant where we caught up with one another.
At the Reception two of our new Addicts were introduced, and there was much discussion about our upcoming adventures.
Trips around Lofoten both by boat and by bus, visits to museums, lunches, wine, and more lunches and wine, and dinners and wine, and more dinners and wine, surrounded by unbelievable vistas and views it was a fabulous few days…
Of course, then began the corkscrew portion of the program!
We began with a special show and tell, by Bert Giulian, who just published a book on Irish Corkscrews. Definitely a book that you need to have in your library.
This was followed by a fantastic presentation by Fredrik, Bjorn, and Jens on Scandinavian corkscrews–when I update the ICCA’s website next, this will be added to the library for all to see.
Later that evening, we headed off for a group dinner which was lovely, and then a 10:00 pm bus departure for a viewing of the midnight sun. Yes, that means midnight.
We managed to get back to the hotel just before 2:00 am, and got some needed sleep before the early show and tell, buy and sell, and auction that would start the next morning.
Several corkscrews were shown and talked about, and during the buy and sell lots of corkscrews changed hands. At the auction, the piece of the day was the Fisher patent ratchet corkscrew that RL brought along.
A great meeting all around, with a fantastic job done by our hosts! And, as is always the case, the gala event did not disappoint! A fantastic punch prepared by Fredrik (one of the best I have ever tasted), a toast to The Bottle Scrue, the traditional opening of a bottle by Right Ian Hunter, and an impromptu corkscrew competition between Ian and Bjorn, the entire meeting was an awe inspiring adventure!
Again, kudos to our hosts Bjorn and Aud-Irene and Bjorn and Ragnhild!
The next morning, several of us hopped in taxis back to the Lofoten airport, as we had earlier flights than others. That said, most of the others would be joining us later as we descended on Stratford-upon-Avon for the CCCC AGM.
The CCCC Annual General Meeting
After a couple of hours in Bodo, where we had a layover (we found an antique store, but no corkscrews) the lovely and I hopped on a flight to Oslo, and then a flight to London. After a long-ish day of travel, we opted to hire a driver to take us to our hotel, where we shared dinner with Anne-Lise, and prepared for our CCCC adventures.
The next morning, the lovely and I headed off for a walk with hopes of finding some coffee.
After successfully getting caffeinated, we did a little exploring, where we found an antique market that was just opening. With a brief walk through, I managed to find a Willetts for a song (I didn’t actually sing).
And, to celebrate the Willetts purchase, as well as the lovely’s acquisitions; she kept buying clothing off of various mannikins placed as window displays, we stopped for a bit of bubbly to celebrate.
With others soon to be arriving, and being in touch via messenger, we sought out a pub that would accommodate those that would be joining us, and had a lovely lunch with Leon, Saskia, Tommy, Ray, and John D.
And, after finishing up, we made our way to the CCCC hotel, where registration was set to begin. Upon arriving, it was warm welcomes, hellos, and hugs, from our hosts: Jim and Liz Edgar, Peter Borrett, Fletcher Wallis, and Tim Underwood.
The Reception and Gala were fabulous, and we were joined by some special guests–lots of pictures of the Reception and Gala and our special guests (William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway) will be shared in the QW.
Following the Gala, several attendees found their way to the bar.
The following morning was the auction and the buy and well. And, there were lots of corkscrews to bid upon and to purchase.
I sold a few, bought a few, and witnessed lots of corkscrews changing hands.
Following the Buy, Sell, and Auction, the Corkscrewteers gathered together (as has become tradition) to share a bottle of vintage Port (thanks for providing this year’s bottle Leon & Saskia!)
Following the Port, we all headed down to the lobby where we had a brief walk and boarded some riverboats for a short tour, which was followed by a lovely dinner and great entertainment.
As many of the attendees headed back to the hotel, a few of us lingered. Eventually, everyone made it back to the hotel, where the bar was quite the scene.
While some remained in the bar until the wee hours of the morning, the entire hotel had to be evacuated at 2:30 in the morning, as there was a fire alarm.
After the hotel was determined to NOT be on fire, we were all allowed back into our rooms (or the bar, depending on your previous circumstance).
The next morning, was to be the show and tell, AGM, and a special display of British corkscrews.
The display was mesmerizing, and the show and tell didn’t disappoint.
After the AGM, it was farewells, good byes, hugs, handshakes, and see you next year in Nashville, TN (ICCA) and Winter Park, FL (CCCC).
A fantastic couple of weeks of corkscrewing around…
Again, many more photos and tales of our corkscrewy adventures will be published in The Bottle Scrue Times and the Quarterly Worme in their next issues!
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