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Author: Brother Denis Kermode
The Lady Isabella Lodge 10017 Autumn Trip to England 2008 Many problems arose when planning our trip this year, and the very fact that we were able to at last board the boat from Douglas to sail for Heysham was a miracle in its self. But board the boat we did on Thursday morning (11th September) As I said we have a few problems one of which was the sailing. We set off a little later than originally planned and to Heysham instead of Liverpool, which meant we were late for our first Lodge visit which was the Wrekin Lodge 7138 where we were joined by Brother Colin Harwood ROH, who was already in UK and making our numbers up to 6. What can we say but "Thank You" to the lodge for opening especially for us and at such a late hour (we only arrived at a quarter to four) yet the lodge gave us the start we needed, and we had a great hour, before the lodge, fed us with a an excellent Dinner. The Wrekin managed to make our short stay a very warm and friendly occasion, and although short, a lot of brotherly friendship, and a good Raffle ( I won a nice bottle). Unfortunately due to the lateness of the hour we never got a photo, but hopefully next time we will We were then escorted to our hotel by Brother Howell and his wife the Tontine Hotel which was built about 1776. 
Our Hotel 
Ironbridge That evening we visited the Ironbridge Lodge 100197at the Abbey Club in Telford. What an imposing building, and what a pity once again we did not plan a lot longer at this wonderful venue. We were welcomed into the lodge with the full favour of a King returning to his own Country, and a very good evening was had followed with Sausage and chips supplied by the lodge 
Ironbridge Lodge 100197 Friday morning we spent touring the Royal Air Force Museum in Cosford and seeing first hand some of there fantastic exhibits, including the most famous TSR2, which Harold Wilson's government scraped with only 9 ever made, and bought American. Once again escorted bt Howell and his good Wife . 
RAF Museum Having spent a good few hours viewing the exhibits we said our good bye's to brother Howell and his good wife and started our journey north to Wallasey where we were joined by Brother David Brown who was unable to sail with us due to a doctor's appointment. On our arrival we split up into two groups Both David and Dave Brown stayed at Brother Dave Roberts home and Bro Colin Harwood, Bro Colin Skilicorn Bro Gavin Park, Bro Mike Parton, and myself (Bro Denis Kermode) stopped at Bro Maurice Wealthys home. Friday evening after a little delay due to there being two School lanes (we went to the wrong one) we entered the Pride of Bootle Lodge 1647, where we met up with both old friends and forged new ones. The lodge had only recently moved to the premises, and was still settling in. This made no difference to our enormous welcome and a good night was had by all 
Pride of Bootle Lodge 1647 Saturday lunch time we visited the Ben-my-Chree Lodge, which unfortunately we never took any photos and where the lads had a great session (I travelled up to Blackpool and missed the afternoons. Reports given that we were welcomed with the splendid friendship we have become to accustomed to on our travels. Lodge the After a short break we were on our way to our next venue the Top Locks Lodge10472 in Runcorn where once again we were welcomed with the same Buff enthusiasm 
Top Locks Lodge10472 On the way back we had a little sing along of the oldies. Sunday lunch we visited the William Carmody Lodge 10511 where we were welcomes and entertained for the afternoon, by this most vibrant lodge. Once again we met up with old and made new friends and had an afternoon to remember 
 William Carmody Lodge 10511 Coming to the end of our visit we visited our last lodge on this trip The Muir Wellington Lodge 5683, which unfortunately we arrived at its closing due to a little confusion about the opening times. The lodge very graciously extended its meeting to accommodate us and we had a nice evening with the brothers  The Muir Wellington Lodge 5683, On the closing of the lodge we finished our evening at the Buff club in Wallasey, and so ended our social weekend with a few drinks with our new and old friends. Monday morning seen us packing and rushing off to do our last minute shopping before returning to the Isle of Man and home on the 1900 sailing. How we start here to thank everyone who have made this trip both enjoyable and very special I'm not sure. But we do thank each and all the Lodges we have visited for showing us such wonderful friendship and going out of their way to ensure our trip would be remembered for a long time. I have to give special thanks to Brother Howell and his good Wife for sorting out our hotel in Ironbridge and escorting us from lodge to hotel and accompanying us to the Museum. Also Brother Dave Roberts and his good Wife for putting up both Dave Browns and Brother Maurice Wealthy and his good Wife who gave up their home to five of us for three nights. Not only feeding and sleeping us, but travelled to each of the Lodges we visited over the northern stay. I thank Maurice personally for travelling with me to drop off Brother Colin to the boat and getting me safely back to join up with the rest of our group. This has been one of the most successful trips we have made for a while, and we Thank everyone who have made it happen. We are now back home and so we start our planning for next years foray, where to, well I don't know, but you can rest assure another group of Lodges are going to be able to share fellowship with the Lady Isabella Lodge 10017. It just leaves it to be said that we had to leave behind Brother Paul Crystal and Brother Bob Gibson both of which took ill and although wanted to come were unable to be with us. We trust you both will get well soon and look forward to seeing you both in the Lodge.
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