For our annual Summer outing we chose to go to Largs where we enjoyed an excellent lunch, very efficiently served at the Queens Hotel. When we emerged from the hotel, we were sure that news of our thirtieth anniversary had preceded us, for a festival day was in full swing, complete with several types of music playing and even a display of aerobatics by a biplane.  However, it was not on our behalf , but to celebrate the eight hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Largs at which an invading Viking fleet were soundly defeated by a somewhat smaller Scottish fleet.  The festival added to our day out and everybody had a marvellous time, and inspite of the previous day being one of torrential rain, the weather gods were smiling on us throughout the afternoon.

For more on this event, here is Bobby's Report.

ROCKVALE REBOUND T.N.

Summer Outing 2011

            Our 2011 Summer outing took place on Saturday, 27th August, and after a horrendous thunder storm the previous day, things did not augur well when another rather heavy shower came on at around eleven o’ clock on the Saturday morning.  However, undaunted, we set off, leaving Dumbarton at 11:45 a.m. with the rain easing somewhat, and by the time we reached our destination, Largs on the Firth of Clyde the clouds were lifting as were our spirits.  We lunched at the Queens Hotel and the meal was excellent as was the service and everybody commented most favourably on it.  By the time we left the hotel the sun was shining brightly with just the slightest breeze blowing, and as an added bonus which none of us were previously aware of, there was a festival in full swing.  This was to commemorate the Battle of Largs which took place in 1211, eight hundred years previously, and at which the Viking hordes were defeated.  The festival meant that there was plenty to occupy the afternoon, including a brass band playing, talent competitions and, perhaps the real highlight, a bi-plane performing spectacular aerobatics above the front and out over the water,  as well as the many shops which abound the seaside town and, of course, there is Nardini’s famous ice cream parlour.  All in all everyone had a marvellous time and are already looking forward to our next social event.