founded 1967 by r. a. ford (1920-2002) tour book 2017 · return airport transfers in sofia: arrival...

Founded 1967 by R. A. Ford (1920-2002)

TOUR BOOK 2017

www.plumptonrfc.com

RUGBY TOUR BOOK:Layout 1 13/04/2017 13:54

Contact NumbersJason 0044 (0) 7710 335665

Lewis 0044 (0) 7500 106148

Local Contact in case of Emergency:

The coordinator in Sofia: Neli Yordanova

The number of Coordinator: +35 9895 870 387

Agency emergency number: +421 903 717 403

FlightsPlease make sure you check in at least 1.5 hours before the flight is schedule to leave(4.30am). Latest is 1 hour before! Remember we are departing from the North Terminalso you may need to get the monorail or bus from the south terminal. Once checked in weare congregating in the bar, far right corner of the North Terminal.

Thu 20 April 2017 - London Gatwick to Sofia IntlDep 06:00 - Arr 11:05 - Flight Details: EZY8973

Sun 23 April 2017 - Sofia Intl to London GatwickDep 11:50 - Arr 13:10 - Flight Details: EZY8974

Return Airport Transfers in Sofia:

ARRIVAL TRANSFERS: Flight Details: EZY8973 - Pick-up time: 11:05 - 20.04.2017

We have arranged airport transfers from the airport to our accommodation (Hotel Hemus)for our group.

After completing passport control and collecting your luggage, please walk out throughthe arrivals gate. Please exit the to the arrivals hall where you will be met by your guide.They will make themselves known to you by holding a sign with the group leaders namedisplayed (Jason Singh).

RETURN TRANSFERS: Flight Details: EZY8974 - Pick-up time: 09:20 - 23.04.2017

Please make your way to the reception in the hotel, where your driver will be waiting totake you to the Airport.

Please make sure you arrive on time as the driver will not be able to wait for more than10 minutes. Please note this activity is based on the whole group travelling , arriving anddeparting together.


Hotel HEMUS

City Centre 3* Hotel

Address: Hotel Hemus 31, Cherni Vrah Blvd., Lozenets, 1421.

Date: Thursday, April 20, 2017. Time: 15:00

Phone: 00421220620122

On the Day: Make your way to the address stated, where check-in is guaranteed fromthe time specified.

Please be aware your rooms are based on multi share rooms. This means your exact roomconfiguration will be confirmed on arrival. The specific accommodation allocated to yourgroup will be named in the final itinerary.

Hotel Facilities: Staffed reception

Room Facilities: Iron, Hairdryer, Wifi, Towels.

Check In Time: 15:00 Check Out Time: 11:00

The coordinator in Sofia: Neli Yordanova

The number of Coordinator: +35 9895 870 387

Agency emergency number: +421 903 717 403

A Quick History of BulgariaBulgaria became a part of thepowerful Ottoman Empire in 1400AD. Bulgaria was a part of theOttoman Empire for almost 500years. The Ottomans were ruthlessconquerors, who obliterated half ofthe Bulgarian population. They putdown all rebellions with brute forceand forced many Bulgarians toconvert to Islam.

Revolutionaries like Vasil Levski fought fearlessly for Bulgaria’s independence. Hisexecution in 1876 started a massive uprising against the Ottomans. But it proved to bean unsuccessful one and 30,000 ordinary Bulgarians were killed.


It was only after Russians decided that enough was enough and attacked the Ottomansthat Bulgaria got its independence. But it was never easy for Bulgaria it became a pawnin the hands of powerful forces.

During the World War I Bulgaria sided with Germany and ended up paying massivereparations to the winners of the war. The period from 1913 till the World War II was a oneof great economic hardship in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria remained neutral during WorldWar II. Yet it was occupied by Germany.Despite great pressure from the Nazis,Bulgarians refused to attack theirRussian friends. Eventually they wereliberated from Nazi Occupation in 1944by the Russians.

Following the end of the World War II,Bulgaria became a communist nationand a close ally of the Soviet Union.Massive efforts were made to transform Bulgaria into a modern industrial state. But theeconomy stagnated and the government was repressive.

It was only after the breakup of the Soviet Union and the fall of Communism in 1991 thatBulgaria achieved true independence. The 1990s were a period of great struggle inBulgaria; it was ravaged by strikes, demonstrations and great strife. But the countrytransformed itself into a free market democracy in the early 2000s and is today a proudmember of the European Union.

A Quick guide of SofiaThere are loads of things to do in Sofia, the nightlife in Sofia is epic; home to the bestclubs and casinos in the country. The evening scene is complimented by the city's youthfuldynamic and with an energetic vibe you're guaranteed to have a top night out. Few placescan pack so much into a weekend and with some of the cheapest beers in Europe,Bulgarians still use leva as an official currency and the beer price is really low - around

one pound for a pint. A 2-course mealwill cost you maximum ten pounds.The locals love to party and they doparty every weekend in one of thepopular clubs in town as Bedroom,Gramophone, Chervilo or the specialVIP Sin City club!


Checklist, to do before we leave…This will sound obvious but it’s not as easy as just throwing your boots in a bag on thefirst morning of tour and turn up at the airport. So, more haste less speed.

1. PassportWe are travelling in the EU, but you will need your passport to gain access and also leaveBulgaria. You will be reminded of your forgotten passport by 26 people for life if you don’tbring it!!

2. Contact NumbersMake sure you have at least 4 numbers of your fellow tourists. Remember you need todial in your phone the UK international code 0044 or +44 eg: 00447500106106 or+447500106106 if you’re calling 07500106106.

3. MoneyThe official currency in Bulgaria is lev/stotinka. Bulgarian leva: Lev (Lv) = 100 stotinki.Notes are in denominations of Lv50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50,20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 stotinki. Due to Bulgarian legal system all payments in Bulgaria mustbe in Bulgarian currency.

ATMs supply cash in lev and usually have no up front fees. No not use non bank exchangeshops on the street – they are often rip-off joints!

If grabbing some lev at the airport on your way out then save on commission (up to 15%!)by pre-ordering e.g. via MoneyCorp Airport collection – up to three days before you travel.

Exchange Rate

£1 = BGN 230 Sotinki

£1 = BGN 2.3 Lv

£5 = BGN 11.5 Lv

£10 = BGN 23 Lv

£50 = BGN 115 Lv

£100 = BGN 230 Lv

General Costs

Fast-food meal: BGN 2.00Lv £1

Restaurant meal: BGN 8.00Lv £4

Taxi: BGN 4.00Lv/kilometre £4

Local Beer: BGN 1.00Lv (1/2 litre) 50p

Local Shot: BGN 1.50Lv 75p

Nightclub entry: BGN 10.00Lv £5

4. ClothesThings you need to bring, from clothes to fancy dress items!

Tour shirts are sorted; they will only be worn during the day for events and won’t be wornin any pubs or clubs in the evening.

You will also be asked to bring one of the Plumpton rugby shirts.


What to PackBring swimming shorts, Jeans, 4 pants, 4 socks, 3 t-shirts, 1 jumper, 1 jacket, 1 tour shirt,2 shirts, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, aftershave, shower gel, trainers, clubbingshoes, Bank card, few Lev, RUGBY KIT!

Rugby

http://murphysmisfits.com

In the pub at the beginning of March 2002 there we were all watching the Six Nationstournament, buying rounds and discussing the game. Most of them were regulars at thepub – a strange multinational mixture of people, each one in Sofia for a different reason.The idea of running, playing and tussling out in the open had never occurred to themuntil suddenly New Zealander Murray said: “What do you lads say we play some touchrugby?”, they replied: “Sounds good, but don’t you think we’re a bit too old for that stuff?”.But Murray was not to be denied: “Of course we’re not too old. And I’ve already reserveda pitch.”

Of course they are still regulars at the J.J. Murphy’s pub in Sofia, which is now theclubhouse. Pretty soon things became more serious, with more and more people joiningthe club. The team started playing in international Rugby 7s tournaments in Bulgaria andneighbouring countries, as well as taking on teams from Bulgaria’s domestic rugby league.In the last few years we have played hosts to an increasing number of teams from England,France and the Netherlands. No matter what country our visitors come from, the routineis always kept intact – a friendly game of Rugby 15 and tons of fun before and afterwards.


Murphy’s Misfits is an international club based in Sofia. Some of us are Bulgarian, otherswork in Sofia, but come from all over the world – England, Ireland, France, Scotland, USA,New Zealand, South Africa, Namibia, Canada, Wales, Portugal, Zimbabwe, Spain, Argentina,Romania. The more diverse, the better!

Murphy’s Misfits is proud to boast members of many different professions – lawyers,financiers, army officers, IT specialists, tattoo & piercing artists, engineers, journalists, PEteachers, English teachers, marketing specialists, cooks, entrepreneurs, chocolatiers,photographers…There’s even a psychiatrist amongst us.

Murphy’s Misfits is a social club whose members don’t just play and talk rugby – theyhave fun together as well.

Pitch


Itinerary for Tour…THURSDAY• Sofia Night Out (meet hotel lobby 6:30pm)

• 3 hour guided pub crawl, 1 beer each, Dinner along the way, nightclub entry.

• Address: Pick up point: In front of Hotel Sheraton at Sveta Nedelya Square.Date: Thursday, April 20, 2017. Time: 19:00Phone: 421220620122

• On the Day Event details:You will be taken on a 3 hour guided pub crawl. The meeting point is the HotelSheraton at Sveta Nedelya Square. You will receive one beer each, entry to a club.Please ensure you have valid photo ID and dress in appropriate club wear-smartcasual is advised. Please remember it will be under the door staff's discretionto allow you entry so please behave accordingly.

FRIDAY • Outdoor Go-Karting (meet Hotel Lobby 1pm) - We will be taken by private transfers

to the karting site. Each person will have 30 minutes driving on the 1080 m longtrack.

• Phone: 421220620122

• On the Day Event Details:Your guide will wait for us in front of our accommodation in order to drive with us ina private bus to your Outdoor Go-Karting Experience. Please note that the travel time is around 30 minutes. An instructor will give you allequipment and each of you will drive 30 minutes on 1080 m long track. The winner will receive a bottle of bubbly. At the end, your guide will drive you backto your accommodation. Please note that this activity depends on weather.

• Driving Options: Safety equipment, Helmet, Overalls, Safety briefing Instructor

• Driving Licence Required: No

• Track Type: Outdoor - exclusive

• Minimum Age Restriction: 16

• Duration: 30 minutes Duration

• Notes: 2.5 hrs in total inc 30 minute transfer

• Dress Code: No


• Disabled Facilities: No

• Opening Time: 11:00 Closing Time: 18:00

• Weather Dependent: Yes

• Transfers Included: Yes

• City Centre, Three Course Meal inc Drinks (meet Hotel Lobby 6:30pm) - 2 hourtable reservation with a 3 course meal and 2 beers per person. Guide is included.

• Address: Pick up point: in front of Hotel Sheraton at Sveta Nedelya Square.

Time: 19:00

Phone: 421220620122

• On the Day Event details:Your guide will meet you in the city centre and escort you to the restaurant whereyour meal will take place.On arrival you will be seated for your 2 hour table reservation. Your group will enjoya delicious three course meal from a set menu alongside 2 beers per person.

• VIP Night Club - The guide will take us at 10pm to the dancing/drinking venue wherewe will have a reserved table. ID will be required, ensure you have your passport orDriving Licence.

SATURDAY• Rugby (meet in hotel lobby 11am) – Three way games with Murphy’s Misfits and

Barns Green.• Post-game drinks pitch side.• Steak Dinner (meet Hotel Lobby 6:30pm) - 2 hour table reservation with pork steak

& chips dinner, 2 beers per person. Guide is included.• VIP Night Club - The guide will take us to either Bedroom or Sin City.

• On the Day Event Details:This activity starts directly after the dinner.ID will be required, ensure you have your passport or Driving Licence. Pleaseremember it will be under the door staff's discretion to allow you entry so pleasebehave accordingly

SUNDAY

• Depart to Airport (meet in Hotel Lobby 10am).


Insurance Cover...

RFU recommended insurer: Perkins Slade

Policy No: RFU283 – to view see appendix.

Useful Bulgarian Phrases…Generally, not worth the bother! e.g. thank-you = Благодаря - they use the Cyrillicalphabet.

In Sofia most signage will be in English and most people speak good English

Thank you = Благодаря = Blagodarya pronounced Blo-doh-dar-ri-a

Hi/Hello = Zdrasti pronounced Stras-deh

Drinking - Cheers = Nazdrave pronounced Naz-strav-eh

Tour Virgins…• Nathan Palmer• Robin Farr• Owain Morgan• Phil Travis

Beer

Stick to the local brands – they are much cheaper and better than internationals such asHeineken

Examples:

• KAMENITZA

• ZAGORKA

• BOLIARKA

• LEDENIKA and MM

Bulgarian wine might not get the publicity that French and Italian vintages do, but it doeshave its fans. Among them was Winston Churchill, who was known to have an annualorder of 500 litres of the country’s Melnik wine made from its very own grape, the broadleaf Melnik.


Top Tips for a Successful Tour…

TIP #1 – What goes on tour stays on tourAn old Cliché, but as there is nothing to tell, its just covers the bases for the young ones.Don’t take inappropriate photos as an example.

TIP #2 – Resolving disputesThere is a good chance that a mutiny will break out at some stage, and often someonehas to give way for things to work out. Tossing a coin is the fairest way to settle anargument.

TIP #3 – Do not all order at onceEither have one person order for the entire group or, if you are all want something different,one-by-one around the table.

TIP #4 – Beware nightclub bouncersOK, sounds obvious, but bouncers in Eastern Europe are often gangsters and usuallynothing more than hired thugs. If you do pick a fight, be aware that they will call theirfriends and that there is likely to be no legal recourse if things get out of hand. But keepyour wits about you and you’ll be OK.

TIP #5 – Dress code: CasualWear what you feel comfortable in, most places no one will care. Only the top clubs havea dress code (i.e. no trainers) Remember however, you are still representing your club onevenings out.

TIP #6 – Travel light, bring plenty of deodorantYou will not be wearing most of those clothes, so don’t pack them. In, fact, you’ll be luckyif you change your clothes once during the course of the weekend. All you really need isyour bank card, a passport and plenty of mouthwash and deodorant.

TIP #7 – If you have a budget, stick to itSpending can quickly get out of control when you have a wallet full of “monopoly money”.Don’t take more money out of the bank than you can afford to spend, and factor in thecasino or club, which can get expensive.

TIP #8 – Only go to clubs you know you can trustClubs can be very dodgy places. Drinks may be mega expensive and non payment is notan option, so do not order anything (or let a girl order anything) until you know exactlywhat it will cost. Use the Clubs advised by the guide only.


TIP #9 – Never flag down a cab and say “take me to a club” You may as well be saying “take all my money and if you want, beat the living crap out ofme and leave me in the middle of nowhere to try to find my way back home.”

TIP #10 – Alka Selzer

TIP #11 – Make sure someone watches your back.If you plan to do anything without the group, make sure at least one other person goeswith you. Clearly you can go toilet alone, but then at least if you end up sleeping on thestreet, or in a local prison you will have company. Plus you hopefully won’t make doublethe mistakes…

TIP #12 – Don’t stay in bed all dayWe are here for tour. Plenty of opportunity to sleep on the plane on the way home. Embraceeverything, enjoy the breakfast in the morning, the banter and make sure you take part ineverything. No one likes a bore.

TIP #13 – Respect the hotelRemember, they can easily lock the door and kick you out. It is your one place of haven,treat it like you want to be asked to come back. They will make you pay for damages.

TIP #14 – If anyone is in trouble, be it too much drink or in a spot of bother with locals,we all make it our priority to look after that person. We are a team, this applies on thepitch and for this tour off the pitch too. We are all old enough and hopefully wise enough,we all have families to go back to on Sunday.

Bonus Tips• Plan how you're going to get home before you leave• Make sure you've got numbers for taxis and put aside enough money to get home safely• If you're staying at a hotel, grab a business card so you know the exact address - especially

if you're abroad• Eat before you go out, or during the evening if you can• Drink water regularly to stay refreshed and hydrated• Use soft drinks to pace yourself - a tonic looks just the same as a vodka and tonic! • Remember that too much drink will do nothing for your looks - you're drop dead gorgeous

until you're drop down drunk• Don't succumb to the beer goggles effect. You might think you've met your dream date -

until the effect wears off and the frog is revealed!• Don't accept drinks from strangers and never leave your drink unattended; it's all too easy

for someone to spike your drink• Look out for your friends and make sure they look out for you


Key FactsActivities: All of our activity centres and ground agents operate a strict no alcohol, nodrugs policy during all events. Anyone who appears to be under the influence of alcoholor drugs, or who is not willing to comply with safety instructions, will not be permitted toparticipate in any activity and will not be entitled to a refund.

Arrival Times: The timings of your weekend have been carefully planned out... so pleasedon't be late! Follow the itinerary timings exactly and allow time for travel delays. If youare running late for any reason, please use the activity centre phone numbers provided tolet them know directly. Please note that if you're late, there is no guarantee that you willbe able to partake in the planned activity and you will not be entitled to a refund.

Accommodation: Here's some important points to remember -

Check-in / Check-out: Please take note of the check-in and check-out times detailedon your itinerary. All luggage must be out of your rooms by the check-out time on the finalmorning of your stay, unless otherwise discussed with the supplier.

Be considerate:• Please be mindful of other guests and keep noise levels in communal areas and

corridors to a minimum• Please leave rooms as you find them• Fire extinguishers are for the health and safety of all guests; do not touch or remove

these unless there is an emergency• Fixtures and fittings are part of the hotel; do not remove or tamper with them

Security deposit: The Hotel request a refundable security deposit, usually taken via acredit card swipe, from all single gender groups. This is standard practise to protect againstpotential breakages or damage. Obviously we trust that you will have a problem-freeweekend, in which case the amount will be refunded back to you upon checking out.However, if the hotel management deem it necessary to charge for any damage incurred,the Group Leader will be contacted within 72 hours of departure with a full explanationand breakdown.

Nightclubs: Any dress codes detailed in your itinerary must be adhered to. All of the barsand clubs reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone deemed to be intoxicated, aggressiveor just plain stupid so behave yourselves! Advise our group members to bring ID withthem; the venues reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone they believe to look underage. It is advisable (though not mandatory) to take a copy of your itinerary with you toshow door staff, who may not be familiar with the ways that we work.

Drink awareness: We all know what it's like to have a big night out and then wake upthe next morning and not quite remember the finer details of what happened the nightbefore. So, to prevent the guilty hangovers and help you to stay safe.


Tour Songs…

Leader: I know a bear that you all know. Yogi.Everyone: Yogi.

Leader: I know a bear that you all know. Yogi, Yogi bear.Everyone: Yogi, Yogi bear. Yogi, Yogi bear.I know a bear that you all know. Yogi, Yogi bear.

Leader: Yogi’s got a little friend. Booboo.Everyone: Booboo.

Leader: Yogi’s a little friend. Booboo, Booboo bear.Everyone: Booboo, Booboo bear. Booboo, Booboo bear.Yogi’s got a little friend. Booboo, Booboo bear.

More verses:Yogi likes it in the cold. Polar.Polar, polar bear.

Yogi/ boyfriend has no teeth. Gummy.Gummy, gummy bear.

Yogi’s dick is long and green. Cucum.Cucum, cucum-bear.

Yogi doesn’t shave his/her pubes. Grizzly.Grizzly, grizzly bear.

Yogi likes it in the ass. Brown.Brown, brown, brown, brown bear.

Yogi has a 12” cock. Black.Black, black, black, black bear.

Yogi likes it in a tree. Koala.Koala, koala bear.

Suzie put it in her mouth, GOBLIN!! GOBLIN!!Goblin, goblin Bear

Yogi's got a cheesey knob, camin, caminCamin Camin bear.

Suzie she likes whips and chains, kinky, kinky, Kinky, kinky bear

Boo Boo turns up with his friends, gang bang, gang bang, Gang bang, Gang bang bear.

I know a girl who’s tall and Blond. Dani, Dani.Dani, Dani bear.

(SLOW)Now I'm here all on my own.....lonely.....lonely, wanker wanker bear.


I used to work in Chicago, the old department store. I used to work in Chicago. I don’twork there anymore.

Leader: A lady came in for a ruler.

Everyone: A ruler? From the store?

Leader: A ruler she wanted, twelve inches she got...

Everyone: ...and I don’t work there anymoreA nail She wanted. Screw She got.Meat She wanted. My Sausage she got.Beef she wanted. Pork she got.A fishing rod she wanted. My Pole she got.Milk she wanted. My Cream she got.A hammer She wanted. Nailed She got.A camel She wanted. Humped She got.Bolts she wanted. My Nuts she got.Sailors she wanted. Semen she got.Some tiling She wanted. Laid She got.A vacuum She wanted. Sucked off I got.A Big Mac she wanted. My Whopper she got.Piano she wanted. My organ she got.Muscle car she wanted, my hot rod she got.Plumber she wanted. Clean pipes she got.Helicopter she wanted. My chopper she got.A good deal She wanted. Fucked She got.A damp cat She wanted. Wet pussy She got.Some carpet She wanted. Shag she got.Some seafood She wanted. My crabs She got.A KitKat She wanted. Four fingers she got.Some Jewellery she wanted.A pearl necklace she got.A door She wanted. The back door she got.A computer She wanted. My hard drive She got.Pirate outfit She wanted, jolly rogering She got.Glazed doughnut she wanted.Cream filled she got.Brass taps She wanted. Golden shower She got.


Tour Games...

The role of the gamemaster is to explain and co-ordinate the tour games. The tour gamesare as follows:

• Thumbmaster

• 3 Coin Spoof

• Frogs

• Taps

• Name Game

• Sharks

Notes...


Printed by Gemini Print

Contact NumbersJason 0044 (0) 7710 335665 Lewis 0044 (0) 7500 106148

Local Contact in case of Emergency:The coordinator in Sofia: Neli YordanovaThe number of Coordinator: +35 9895 870 387Agency emergency number: +421 903 717 403

City Centre 3* HotelAddress: Hotel Hemus 31, Cherni Vrah Blvd.

Lozenets, 1421.Phone: 00421220620122


founded 1967 by r. a. ford (1920-2002) tour book 2017 · return airport transfers in sofia: arrival...

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