BBQ review
When Mensa friends Rowena and Mark mentioned they were planning a summer BBQ and would like to meet other members I jumped on the chance to turn it into a regional event based in Hertfordshire as I'm aware the majority of our big events are held in the north of our region. Luckily Rowena and Mark didn't object to inviting strangers (but strangers are only friends you've not met yet!) into their home nor spending hours buying and preparing the food.
So on Saturday 17th August we gave members the option to meet at Hatfield House in the morning followed by a BBQ in the afternoon. Around half the attendees joined in both parts of the day. Thanks to Herts LocSec Richard for co-ordinating the visit to Hatfield House where the group split into two; one touring the house and the other visiting the farm park.
Around 3.00pm guests starting arriving in Old Welwyn for the BBQ. The weather forecast had been for rain from then until late into the evening and we'd had a few spots earlier. However, whilst it was quite chilly at times we did see some rays of sunshine and the rain stayed away until the BBQ was coming to a natural end. So we were able to sit outside on the patio and lawn chatting to each other and enjoying the excellent food. Mark fired up the BBQ and served pork in pineapple and papaya marinade, chicken in white wine marinade, burgers, sausages, salmon, roast butternut squash, vegetarian bacon and more all accompanied by a variety of breads, salads and relishes. The food was so tasty I think most people had a couple of visits to the BBQ. Although we had to save room for Rowena's homemade desserts including chocolate and orange cheesecake, a fruity flan, citrus meringue and coffee cake. Nobody went hungry!
It was great to see so many new faces at this event including a few families. The children played together wonderfully. Particular thanks to Raluca and Ainsley for bringing their husbands and children as I realise one family had some distance to travel and the other came straight from a birthday party. Thanks too, of course, to Richard, Rowena and Mark for hosting the event. Many people thanked me but all I did this time was turn up and pay for the food from our regional funding!
As one guest commented. "It was very nice to see everybody, you had gathered together a very nice group and the venue was very pleasant."