TT, I heard about that 'event' and it sounded rather too sporty for my liking. I think that was in the early post-GW1 days when I was back QFI-ing at the UAS?
Yes, those early morning trails across France were always great. In the days of fixed AAR areas, you could always count on an excellent 'post bracket 1' breakfast knocked up by the groundcrew if we'd been able to take dry rations.
On-base Akrotiri was fun for a single night - brandy sour, kebabex at Chris's, gentle trip home the next day, possibly with a Palermo overnight thrown in. At 'not-Mondello' usually. Better still were the C1K training trails with the receivers going to Akrotiri for the weekend whilst we stayed at Palermo - the 10 sqn loadies and cabin crew were great at sorting a minibus to Cefalù for a very civilised Saturday or Sunday lunch.
I understand your 'poolside' Akrotiri reference! Although Gulli once sorted out an excellent bondhu barbi' lunch of halloumi, lountza, sheftalia, pitta etc.
No doubt such things simply don't happen any more? What a pity....