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2002 Balazuc / Ardèche / France

Ardéche

camp in 2002

OT St. John

in Balazuc

"Le Croix de Bois"

With HaJo Bauer and his team on Tour

Ardéche

luck or bad luck?

On 15 July 2002 was it that time again, our truck with the drivers Heinz and Jacob were very early move towards Ferienlagerort Balazuc from the Ardèche. I took the Scudo crew going a little later. When we were close to Lyon, my phone rang. Jacob answered, they were already there, but could only build 3 small tents to sleep. He would get no water or electricity, as it meant the Monsieur. I wondered already, but went without me continue to worry about, then to Balazuc.

We arrived there from 22:15. Our landlord came up immediately and wanted to tell me any more. But I asked him to clarify the next day with organizational matters, because we were tired after the long journey.

The next morning we began the construction of the kitchen and dining tent. Our Büdchenzelt was already built around noon. We could therefore confidently deal with the implementation of the other tents, as Jacob was, as usual in charge for the electricity and water supply to the kitchen.

appeared at 16.00 clock our landlord, M. Brahic, and meant to me that actually to the agreed price of two parking spaces and the water and power supply would not belong to it. But I had in February with him on the spot paced the necessary space for us and it also noted the power and water for our kitchen was urgently needed. This is what we had agreed in writing with him. Grumbling, he pulled away again.

The next morning we set up our tents and took on the lots only, we needed to accommodate our entire group of 62 persons. In the afternoon he turned up with quite a bad mood and wanted us, the truck was just an hour away point of the place. An experienced for me never situation. I tried to convince the legality of our contract.

But for Bernhard, who helped me build the tents, it was easy, he asked, "Do you want more money," he antwortetet only: "Oui!". I noticed a small stone from the heart, we drank together a Kölsch and sealed as we thought our stay for three weeks.

But where we did not expect, our landlord was still not well pleased, because as it turned out later that he had two other smaller groups, one rented from Paris, the other of Trier so that some were with the individual guests over 150 people on the pitch. And there were happy to drive some of these, as we learned later, because only two showers, three toilets and three showers were available.

On Monday evening, our program the evening was the celebrity show, presented the group with mini playback shows their favorites and the music came about through our system.

point appeared at 22:00 on it pretty angry. We were about the addition of the celebrities do not show. He just bitched: "of water, music, electricity," in French and German: "Out"

At once we made the music. Nevertheless, he turned off the main circuit of the place. We introduced ourselves with all in the final circle and softly sang our last song. Then I asked him politely that he should turn the power back, because we need these for the kitchen, what he did.

The next day I was looking for allies, which I found in his brother and his family too. The daughter spoke German and they promised to speak to our landlord. They did well again the next evening.

However, on Wednesday afternoon I unfortunately had to notice that I had not reckoned with the host. We Pänz came straight from the Ardèche and some had gathered outside the showers. That did not seem to fit. He bleated on and a group leader was very scared to me, "Hajo, who wants us to throw the pitch again."

I reassured him and my direct path led back to his brother. The daughter, who was there heard at my problem and they immediately agreed to go with me and resolve the matter locally.

This we did then. We agreed that should be considered when further difficulties in any case the daughter for help to further misunderstandings from the outset could be excluded. For the third time, we concluded this agreement with a handshake and we all hoped that would keep it until the last day.

We could then also be glad when we went on 06 August at 10.00 clock in the morning, as agreed direction of Alsace and could leave Europe Park. A wisdom says you never stop learning, or the cards are shuffled each time. Nevertheless, we had experienced a great summer camp in the Ardèche. All children were well received and happy mood in Cologne.

on again next year!

Hajo Bauer