"ALPINE TRAILS RAP"
by Pete Smith, September 2001
I joined Explore in Switzerland
And was met by this strange-talking leader-man.
He called himself a ‘Geordie’, then proved that he was not,
The Americans among us soon lost the plot.
Before we knew it we were dumped in France,
With a freezing campsite to set our advance.
Early next morning we were told we gotta go;
Unless, that is, we encounter snow.
Our cook also had a strange accent;
But along with Roger was heaven-sent.
Their food was plentiful and cooked so well;
Though yesterday’s chilly was a taste of hell.
Our cook’s an Australian, whose name is Ash,
Don’t you think its odd that it rhymes with Hash?
All I know is that when we return to base,
He greets us all with a smiling face.
The mob was joined by a Yank named Jean,
Who’s navigation skills just had to be seen!
She was lost one day whilst on the roam,
And said to this Cop "I wanna go home".
So he drove her back without any fuss.
‘Least that’s the story she told us!
Sue, our gastronomic, works by stealth,
With a tent for her luggage and another for herself.
She also has a passion for sports;
That is – runner with lunch boxes in their shorts.
We try to forget the Canadian named Fred,
With his awful jokes and his luxury bed;
But Thursday we remembered – oh no!
Fred had reached the big five – O.
The tigers include Rick with a great big heart,
Considering his knee was falling apart;
With Victor and Tony and Lou and Steve,
And Robert, whose dress sense you would never believe!
But the greatest – from the Siberian sun,
Would start his climb when we were all done.
"What was that went flashing by?"
Victor – making for his home in the sky.
There was Roger and Ash and Peter and Jean,
Sue and Joyce and Fred to be seen.
Jenny and Rick; Jenny and Lou;
Liz and Geoff and Jonathan too.
Steve, Tony and Rob were in the hunt,
With Victor disappearing up front.
From England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales,
Four nations united on Alpine trails.
Australia, Canada and the U.S.A.
All met briefly in friendship – then went on their way.