Tony & five work colleagues took a handful of top accounts to their European headquarters in Brussels Belgium. It gave the dealers the chance to see how Tony's company operate on a global scale, and also for many to see some European sights for the first time. We had a good mix of people from Mexico, Texas, Missouri all the way to Newfoundland Canada ! A great group of people.
DAY 1 - Brussels
After leaving LAX Tony flew via Washington DC and arrived in Brussels at 7.30am on Sunday morning. He slept off some jet lag and everyone met for lunch & a beer before going on a tour of Brussels.
The Royal Palace
A great view of the city & Cathedral
Le Manneken Pis
The Main Square in Brussels
We finished the evening with a fantastic meal (steak au poivre for Tony) and of course a few bottles of red wine between us.
DAY 2 - Brussels/ Gent/ Bruges
A day at the office today for the serious part of the trip before leaving for Bruges. On the way we stopped in the city of Gent for some sightseeing and a lovely meal.
The Central Square in Gent
Tony by the Canal
Some very old fortress !
Luis & Jeff waiting for their beers - Cheers!
Serge & Paolo from our Belgium Office
Tony's Boss Dan (left) getting friendly with Bert (Texas Rep)
Ready for dinner
DAY 3 - Bruges/ Brussels/ London
Today was a day sightseeing in Bruges. Bruges is a very pretty city with canals, historical buildings and quaint shops. A good place for souvenirs and Belgium Chocolates! Some pictures below:
After a relaxing lunch, we headed back to Brussels, in order to catch the Eurostar train to London. The Americans were very impressed with how quiet, efficient and fast the train ride was!
Our UK Sales Manager Tom Robinson was waiting for us at St. Pancras in London. We bundled into Black cabs, checked in at the hotel and then went out for a typical British Pub Dinner at a place that specialized in pies & English deserts. Sticky Toffee pudding with Ice Cream & custard...yum! Lots of food and beer consumed and a good evening had by all :)
DAY 4 - London
Today we were in Tony's territory. Back in Tony's Yamaha days he used to take care of London dealers so visiting the Music shops in Denmark Street was like old times! We spent the morning in Denmark Street, before heading out to see some of the sights.
Buckingham Palace
The Guards by Queen Victoria's Memorial
Kate & William left their flags out for us !
Big Ben
The Houses of Parliament
London Eye by the River Thames
Westminster Abbey
We didn't get a chance to go into the Abbey as it was packed with people and huge queue's outside being just a week after the big wedding. However in the middle of our sightseeing we did have a nice pub lunch in Westminster (Bangers & Mash) and another Pub Dinner in Covent Garden (Fish & Chips)
Tom (UK Sales Manager) enjoying a pint
After Covent Garden it was back to the West End and the Dominion Theatre to watch "We Will Rock You" the West End Show based on the Music of Queen. A great last evening for the dealer trip and we finished it off with a few pints (and shots) in the hotel bar. That was a late night!
DAY 5 - Mum & Dad's
A few of the dealers stayed on for some extra time in London, while Tony's colleague's headed back to America. Tony obviously took the opportunity while in England to see his family. He took the train north to Luton and was met by his Dad at the station. A quick 10 minute drive to Caddington and he was at Mum & Dad's house - his hotel for the next few days!
DAY 6 - Happy Anniversary Mum & Dad - May 6th 1967 (44 years)
Tony's Dad (Peter) & Mum (Christine)
Aaahhh - Isn't that nice !!
Although it was their anniversary they very kindly let Tony borough the car so he could drive up to Daventry and collect his boys Josh & Jake after school. Jake had soccer practice so Tony & Josh went to Pizza Hut for dinner before collecting Jake and driving back to Caddington. It was good for the boys to see their Gran & Grandpa.
Josh - age 12
Jake - age 10
DAY 7 - Bowling & a visit to Leamington Spa
Tony asked the boys what they wanted to do on Saturday afternoon and the answer was 10 Pin Bowling so they went to Go Bowling in Dunstable. There is no such thing as playing for fun with 3 lads so game on:
It's Josh
Versus Jake
Versus Dad
Two games later - Dad gave his boys a lesson on how its done. Thankfully no fights and everyone had a good time.
Jake enjoying his Slush Puppie
After Bowling we drove up to Rugby and dropped Jake off at a party that he was invited to, & Tony & Josh went on to Leamington Spa to meet up with Tony's sister Lynn & husband Greg. Lynn & Greg have two boys Jimmy (2) & Sam (11 months). Currently Lynn & Greg are in the middle of an extension to their house so they have a makeshift kitchen while the work is being done. We decided to eat out at.......Pizza Hut. No complaints from the boys.
Jimmy enjoying his kids meal
Sam taking a liking to Pizza!
Josh reading Jimmy his bed time story
After Pizza it was back to the house, and Josh read his new best friend & cousin a story before bed. Tony & Josh stayed over at Lynn's as Josh had a soccer game in Daventry the next morning.
Speaking of Soccer Tony got to watch "Match of the Day" complete with beer tonight. Funny the little things you miss about England!
DAY 8
Josh had a soccer match this morning as did Jake. Jake's mum took him to his away game and Tony drove Josh to his home game. Both boys are goalkeepers and they both had good games today. Jakes team won easily and Josh won 6-1 after going a goal down from a penalty.
Jimmy & Sam with the goalie
Team Talk
Daventry Town win 6-1
After the game Tony met his brother Mark & Family at a nice country pub on the outskirts of Leamington Spa. Roast Beef & Yorkshire Pudding washed down with a pint of cider...Now thats a Sunday lunch!
Clockwise starting with Josh
Cameron (Nephew), Mark (Brother), Robert (Nephew), Deb (Sister in Law)
Lynn (Sister), Greg (Brother in Law), Jimmy (Nephew)
Sam is hidden behind Greg
Tony went back to Daventry to say his goodbye's to Jake and then headed back to Caddington with a stop on the way to say hello to Suzanne, Steve, Megan & Amy. The girls still have their toe polish on from their holiday in America!
The Girls enjoying their trampoline in the "Garden"
DAY 9 - Back Home
An early start, but Tony's chauffeur (aka Dad) dropped him off at London Heathrow, and then the fun 10 1/2 hour flight back to Los Angeles. Still it was good to get back home and be reunited with his wifey!
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