Final numbers for the tour are still in a state of flux. Last October, twenty people had made a verbal commitment to tour. So, on the basis of my being told by eighteen people (plus Chesterfield ex miner Jacko) - "I'm Norfolk born and bred, so of course, my word is my bond", the Hotel rooms and minibuses have been booked.

So far, only Jacko, JonT, and the Crisp trio have paid their £50 deposit. However, out of the blue last week, Algie the Eagle and the Annakin tribe bottled out and then Tottenham Tony started mentioning on Saturday night as he downed his sixth pint of Carling at the Community Centre that he might be in the Queen Elizabeth having an operation during tour week.

The only good news about these dropouts is that the springs on the minibuses will benefit by being three tonnes lighter, and the owner of Ye Olde Stratfordde Kebab Shoppe can sleep a little easier now. The end result is that I am working on finding five replacements for them at short notice.

With the tour numbers reduced to fifteen, Tom Grass backed up his interest in joining the tour by pressing a tightly folded post dated cheque into my hand over the week end. So now that's six confirmed tourists for the twenty booked places.

That still leaves ten deposits to collect - plus four places to fill. Jacky Chann has an Assie ex-Runcton pro lined up (shows we'll take just about anyone now) and Jonny Coe has got Tom Ware interested in joining the tour. Even if these two come through, that still leaves two touring places left to fill.

This also assumes that everyone else will honour their commitment. Based on recent experiences of just how solid a Narborough commitment is, it seems fair that no-one can be relied on to tour until I get the deposit before 10th June.

Comments such as "You can rely on me," "Gerry's interested," "I'm a bit short at the moment," "Why are you sending me all these emails about paying a deposit, I've booked my holiday" and "When's the last day I can give you a cheque" all count for nothing.

If the miracle happens and a few more members show an interest in touring, I'm taking their cheque, so don't risk your place on tour.