Paginatitel

From the shores of Bournemouth water

From the middle of old England

From Belgium's finest air field

and from German field as well,

went forth the Grumpy Gangers,

the bold Grumpy Gangers

a new adventure to begin.

To Italy's Valdera first we came together

though the weather was not clement

all arrived safely via routes diverse

to a welcoming just superb

with cold strawberries and colder beer

were we were met by friends of old.

We spent just three short days there

being entertained in Etruscan style

by Marco, Barbara and the Valdera crew.

We saw the Tuscan countryside

and Leonardo's birthplace too,

a pioneer of aviation they say

and I think it is almost true.

A final nights debauchery we had

with dinner, dance and fireworks.

Then some of us Grumpies felt a GUST come upon us

So we bid our wives, hosts and friends farewell.

With happy thoughts we departed

Balkan worlds we would now explore

in our trusty Grumman steeds.

Poor MALC suffered a broken mixture cable,

'It came off in me and guv', I do not know my strength.

A bending of the remaining wire made a spring to hold it safe

full rich was sufficient for the day.

Seven Grumpy souls then set forth

A new GUST to make this year

with Corfu in Greekland

land of the ancients to explore,

the ultimate goal this year.

We braved the Apennine mountains without seeing any ground

then clearer skies over Po and Adriatic were found.