Lots happening this month whether you enjoy food, drink, parties, gambling or just socialising! We start with our "5th of the month" get together at the Vat & Fiddle pub on Queensbridge Road on Tuesday 5th. As this is usually their quiz night please try to arrive at our start time of 8.00pm if you'd like to join our team. Or come along later for just a drink. Last time we took part we got free chips at half time and won chocolates. Hopefully we can repeat the fun but not-so-healthy night out!
At the 'Brache' Beefeater, Osborne Road, opposite the Vauxhall Design Building from 7.00pm. There is parking on site. Come along for a drink and a chat, or just the chat. Food is available at the bar or in the restaurant from the same menu. New faces will be welcome to join our group. Contact me for directions or more details.
As ever, we're at the Millstream, Cambridge Road, Hitchin from 8.15pm. Good food and good beer both available! Call me for more details and encouragement. The pub is about ten minutes' walk from the railway station.
For our pub discussion this month we are venturing to discuss 'Election - what next?' We don't normally do politics directly but we reckon we all know each other well enough and are reasonable enough to have a decent talk about the country's political future. So, if you would like to add your thoughts, or just listen, do join us at the Adam and Eve on Lindum Hill, Lincoln, Sat 9th May, for as long as you like, 12 onwards until we finally leave some hours later. Free car park, pub lunches available, look for Mblem, usually in alcove, maybe in garden if weather is ok.
Our first outing for May is something we haven't done for a while, and never to this new venue: a cinema visit on Tuesday 12th to the new Odeon at the MK Dons' Stadium. Meet in the foyer at 7pm to agree which film to see - check http://www.odeon.co.uk/cinemas/milton_keynes_stadium/218/ in advance and come along with your suggestions! Look for the Mblem, or let us know if you want us to look out for you.
We'll be at the Beekeeper on Meadow Lane in Beeston from 7.30pm on Thursday 14th for our "natter and nosh" event. Not only should we still have some 25% vouchers off food but Hungry Horse also have a new menu. If you don't want to dine you're just as welcome to come along for a drink and chat. Look for a yellow Mblem on the long table beyond the food order point at the end of the bar.
Meet me from 10:30am onwards on Friday 15th May for a morning of informal conversation and coffee. This month we are trying a new venue, Rumsey's Chocolaterie at 26 High Street, Wendover, HP22 6EA. For further information on the venue see http://www.rumseys.co.uk/our-shops/wendover This cafe is located in the Old Bank Building and offers a breakfast menu as well as croissants, pastries and cakes. Their luxury chocolates are also available to buy.
"Ne'er cast a clout 'til May is out" goes the old saying, which basically means that you should keep your jumper on and make sure your intake of tea and cakes is up to scratch. I can't do much about the former, but for the latter you can join me in Brucianni's on Churchgate in Leicester on Saturday 16th at 10:30am. How kind am I?? Look out for the magazine or give me a call to find me.
Our monthly visit to the Barge in Woolstone for the quiz is on Monday 18th. Meet from 8.30 - the quiz starts at 9pm and costs £1 per person. Look out for the Mblem on a table. Please let me know if you plan to come so I can bag a large enough table.
We've seen several new faces over the last few months so hopefully this will continue on Wednesday 20th when we are once again at the Standing Order on Irongate in the city centre. Look for a yellow Mblem on one of the long tables in the rear section of the pub from 7.30pm. You are welcome to join us for food and/or a drink.
I've decided to be adventurous and go to a different restaurant for the midweek eating meeting, out of Lincoln to boot! It has been recommended to try Nasim in Spilsby. All welcome, Thursday, 21 May, 7pm. Please book with me by 18th, if possible, thanks.
We start the late May bank holiday weekend with a return trip to Nottingham Greyhound Stadium at Colwick on Friday 22nd. Once again this is to participate in their charity race tournament where we have an allocated trap number to compete. 100 tickets have kindly been donated by the stadium that I'm selling for £3 each (normal price is £6) and all that money will go to Cancer Research UK. Accompanied under 18s are admitted free of charge. There is food and drink available at the venue as well as ample free parking. Gates open 6.00pm with the first race at 6.30pm and the last race finished by 10.30pm. You can arrive/leave any time to suit yourself. Last time there were around 70 of us and it was a fun, and in some cases profitable, night out. Feel free to invite friends, family and work colleagues. You'll need to purchase tickets from me in advance as I can't be seen to be handing them out at the gate on the night.
The following evening, Saturday 23rd, it's time for my annual Eurovision party! Come along to my home in Langley Mill from 7.00pm to watch the show, heckle the acts and generally socialise. If you're not really a Eurovision fan you can hang out in the kitchen or garden instead. You are invited to bring a buffet contribution and/or wear something related to a European country to add to the fun. Some hot and soft drinks provided otherwise bring whatever you wish to drink. Yes, we know the voting is now political and the UK are unlikely to win but it's all good fun! There will be other events around Notts over the bank holiday weekend to be arranged nearer the time once I know how many guests will be coming from further afield and what sightseeing they would like to do. Please keep an eye on the East Midlands Mensa Facebook page and Yahoo email group or contact me for an update.
On Saturday 23rd May join me at 12:15 for lunch at the Greek Taverna, 23A, Walton Street, Aylesbury, HP20 1TZ. Menus are available at http://www.the-greek-taverna.co.uk/ I will need to book a table, so please let me know by Saturday 16th May if you are planning to come.
After lunch we will walk to the County Museum on Church Street, HP20 2QP to see the free exhibition of "Lutes, Lyres and Ukeleles" made by Zachary Taylor. These reconstructions of historical instruments have been researched and then recreated to give an idea of how they might have looked and sounded. Further information about the instruments is available on http://zacharytaylor.co.uk/joomla/ If you are not coming to lunch first, please meet up at the museum entrance at 2:15pm.
At 7.30pm on Tuesday 26th our "eating meeting" takes place at the School House Restaurant in South Normanton. We don't often return to the same venue but this one is always popular. Two courses cost £11.50 or three courses £13.50. Their menu changes weekly but examples can be found at www.theschoolhouserestaurant.co.uk. Please reserve your place with me by 22nd latest.
Later on in the month, we'll be having our "Fourth Thursday" do at The Cradock on the 28th at 8:00pm. This is the 64th anniversary of The Goon Show's first airing on the wireless, so I think whimsy is the order of the night..!
As always, we're at the Cowper Arms, Digswell from 8.00pm. It's by Welwyn North railway station, which is served by stopping trains from Kings Cross to Cambridge and Peterborough. Good food and good beer both available! Call me for more details and encouragement.
Sunday breakfast will be on 31st May 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.