Last year we did a circular walk of approximately three miles that was quite popular so we're doing it again on Sunday 3rd. Meet at the free canalside car park in Whatstandwell on B5035 at 11.00am. The route includes woodland, crossing the tracks of the National Tramway Museum and an ascent to Crich Stand for fabulous views over the Derbyshire countryside. There will be a lunch stop at the Cliff Inn towards the end of the walk. A table has been reserved as it's only a small pub so an idea of how many people are coming would be appreciated so that the table size can be amended if necessary. Please contact me for further information or to check the walk is still taking place in case of unseasonally rainy weather.
It's summer, so time for my favourite meeting of the year: scrumptious tea in Helen and Paul's lovely garden near Spilsby. Their home-made jam and home-grown fruit are truly lovely. So, don't miss it, join us Sunday 3 August, 2.30-5.30, phone [Phone Number] or email [Email] for directions and to let her know you're coming so she can cater accordingly.
Sunday breakfast will be on 3rd August at 10am at Carluccio's in the Centre:MK. You will probably find us in one of the red booths just in front of the restaurant- look for the Mblem on a table. Come for a full breakfast, a snack, or just a drink. Contact me at [Email], or [Phone Number] / [Phone Number] for directions and/or encouragement.
As ever, we're at the Millstream, Cambridge Road, Hitchin. Good food and good beer both available! Call me on [Phone Number] for more details and encouragement. The pub is about ten minutes' walk from the railway station.
This month sees a brand new event in Luton!
You are invited along to the Chequers, Sharpenhoe Road, Streatley from 7.30pm on Thursday 7th to meet the host Bob and some of the officers of East Midlands Mensa.
This will be an evening of chat and drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) although food is also available at the venue. Look for Mensa Magazine on the table or contact Bob in advance on [Phone Number] or [Email].
Do support this event if you can as hopefully it will become a regular "1st Thursday" get together for Luton members.
Meet me from 10:30am onwards on Friday 8th August for a morning of informal conversation and coffee. This month we are going to Café Zest in House of Fraser at the Eden centre in High Wycombe. Combine coffee and cake with some relaxed retail therapy.
Apart from that it is the usual run of meetings. Pub discussion at the 'Adam and Eve' in Lincoln on Saturday, 9 Aug from 12.05 until we evenutally go home several hours later. Do join us for as long or short as you like. Lets hope for more sitting in the garden as we discuss "Pull the door marked 'Push'". Pub food is available, free car park.
What better way is there to enjoy an English summer's day than a walk/cycle at Rutland Water; ice cream in hand and ospreys soaring overhead? (Do ospreys soar? I guess it's a good time to find out!). Sunday 10th August at 11:00, meet up at the café in Whitwell and we can take it from there. Hire a bike, stride off to the shoreline or just sit and eat cake - the choice is yours! Just let me know you're coming so we don't miss you.
Would anyone be interested in going to the Great British Beer Festival at Olympia in August? I intend to go on the first two days, namely Tue 12 and Wed 13 August as it get very busy later in the week. If you're interested in coming along, please call me on [Phone Number] for details and encouragement.
On Thursday 14th we have our 'natter & nosh' event at the Beekeeper on Meadow Lane in Beeston from 7.30pm. In June our furthest travelled guest joined us straight off a flight from Melbourne Australia! So really no excuse for anyone living in Notts not to come along!! Some eat, some just have a Coke, some stay all evening, some pop in for the last hour. All welcome.
On Monday 18th we continue our Third Monday of the Month quiz meetings at The Barge at Woolstone. Meet from 8.30pm in time for the quiz at 9pm - cost is £1 per person. See www.vintageinn.co.uk/thebargewoolstone/ for location and, if possible, let me know beforehand if you're coming so I can reserve a big enough table. We don't always get the same table, so look out for the Mblem. Contact me at [Email], or [Phone Number] / [Phone Number] for directions and/or encouragement.
Our midweek eating meeting will be on Tue 19 August, 7pm at Ask on Brayford Pool in the hope that we can sit outside again. All welcome, but do please book with me by 15th, thanks.
On Wednesday 20th we'll once again be at the Standing Order on Irongate in the city centre. Join us any time from 7.30pm until 10.30ish. Pop in for a quick drink or linger over a meal. All welcome, especially new faces! Look for yellow Mblem on one of the long tables in the rear section of the pub.
Lastly, more tea and cakes at my house near Alford while we indulge in more mental travelling. This month to Bhutan and its neighbours. Sun 24 Aug 3-5pm
The Buckinghamshire Railway Centre at Quainton, HP22 4BY, is holding a special bank holiday event on Monday 25th August. As well as the usual steam train rides, railway museum, miniature railway, travelling post office and cinema coach there will be a rally of pre-1978 motor vehicles in the afternoon. Join me just inside the entrance at 2pm.
The centre has its own café and a second hand bookshop. Special diesel shuttle trains should be running to the centre from Aylesbury Town station during the day, although the timetable is still to be confirmed.
For further details or encouragement contact me on [Phone Number] or e-mail me at [Email]
At 7.30pm on Tuesday 26th we're going to try out a unique Ethiopian restaurant on Alfreton Road on the outskirts of the city centre. Main courses cost from £6.00 and there is a good selection of vegetarian and meat dishes. Book your place with me by 21st please so a table can be reserved.
Continuing our regular 'at home' events, thank you this month to Sue Staples for volunteering to be host. She's at [Address] and invites us to visit from 7.30pm on Thursday 28th. Tea, coffee and nibbles provided or BYOB. This will be an evening of socialising with optional boardgames. Please contact Sue on [Phone Number] or [Phone Number] to let her know you're going and for further directions.
Thursday 28th, and it's time for our usual "Fouth Thursday" thingy. Now I know you've been reading the Empress every month and thinking about coming along, so why not be bold and take that first step? We're a pretty harmless bunch and most of us are house-trained, so what have you got to lose? We meet up at 8:00pm, and you'll usually find us in the bottom bit of the The Craddock. Look out for a magazine or yellow mBlem on the table.
Our regular meeting at The Old Mill, London Rd Berkhamsted.
Have a drink or eat with us. Pub does good meals.
New members, partners etc. always welcome. Free Car Parking.
Contact Jenny at [Email].
As ever, we'll be at the Cowper Arms, Digswell, Herts (by Welwyn North station). Call me on [Phone Number] for more details and encouragement. The pub is next to the railway station, which is served by stopping trains from Kings Cross to Cambridge and Peterborough.
On Saturday 30th August we're going fruit picking in Woughton Community Orchard. As a community resource, the fruit may be picked free of charge. Meet at the entrance in Newport Road, just south of the Olde Swan, at 2pm. Contact me at [Email], or [Phone Number] / [Phone Number] for directions and/or encouragement.