burg, Austria, an oasis of medieval castles, streets, beer and people, where Mr. Exham was able to give us a guided tour. Anglo-Germanic relations were not improved by the German border guards, and we were delayed seven hours at the Bulgarian-Turkish border by holiday traffic, which produced xenophobia from the most unexpected source. We spent three days in Istanbul, amongst the Topkapi palace, Blue Mosque, San Sofia, and the miles of weird labyrinths of bazaars. The Turkish spoke on sight to us, but were really after our money. Then to Asia, down the Western coast of Turkey, through Bursa, Ephesus, Pergamum, Troy and other places, past camel trains and mad bus drivers and interminable lira-sapping souvenir stalls. Up through Istanbul again and along the Greek coast to Kavalla, and a visit to the island Thasos, which proved for some to be the most beautiful part of all Greece. Modern Athens was poor and dusty and hot, but the Acropolis and the surrounding old city, the Plaka, was a jewel in its centre. There was some argument as to how long to stay at Athens, but our "Minitrek" driver, David Bouchier, was finally persuaded to leave for England. Back we came through unbelievable Delphi, the maize fields of Yugoslavia, the thickly wooded slopes of Germany, and group singing on the boat, to arrive in York at 3.00 a.m., a day early. Preconceived ideas of abroad were drastically amended by the trip. The food was hot, the people normal, and the ancient ruins incredible. Occasionally we cooked supper ourselves in camp, but when we could afford it, restaurants were frequented. Breakfasts and lunches consisted of a jam and sardine sandwich and orange drink. The trip was a vivid experience, and cured some of vehicle insomnia. D.P.
RUGBY, 1969 The bad weather from the end of November contrasted with the excellent playing conditions in the first half of the term. The 2nd XV showed determination when playing teams of comparable calibre. The 3rd XV had some good results; notably the draw with Barnard Castle after being 3-9 down. The Colts teams' season was badly curtailed by the weather, which provided poor preparation for next year, but some individuals showed promise. Queen's won both Senior and Junior House competitions, but the House League programme hardly got off the ground. At the end of the term there was a light-hearted "sevens" tournament, played in fog, between scratch teams of O.P.'s, Masters and Boys, won by the most organised seven drawn from the Senior Colts. J.P.R. THE FIRST XV As had been expected, the 1st XV had a below average season. However, up to half-term they played their hearts out, and with a little luck the record would have been respectable. They had the better of the 28
