Hi there peeps, Summer is a comin' in and time to get your bikinis/posing pouches out of mothballs and aired ready for the beach.  It's also time for reading about all the wondrous events that have taken place that you've missed.  So be sure to book early for the next bout of fun days/nights out and then you might even be mentioned in the next reviews!

To kick off, we have Jim's meal at the Garam Masala on 22nd March (Easter Saturday.)  27 curry-a-philes went along to this eating extravaganza and greatly enjoyed the meal which, combined with the usual T.G. camaraderie, made it the perfect evening out.  However, for the foodies who had parked in the adjacent Waitrose car park, things ended far from perfectly.  On returning to their cars and just really wanting to get home and to bed to sleep off the wonderful food, they found to their horror that the car park had been locked.  Now, when they had parked up, they had looked at the notice about parking and it had stated quite clearly that after the store had closed parking was unrestricted, so they parked and it wasn't - unrestricted that is - and so they had to make alternative arrangements to get home.  Now, as Easter Sunday and Easter Monday followed and the store was going to be closed, things were looking very bleak indeed.  However, Margaret, intrepid as ever, found the telephone number of a keyholder and arranged for the car park to be unlocked on Sunday at 1.00p.m.  So, the little mini crisis was over but not without a lot of messing about.  So beware, give Waitrose's car park a wide berth after closing time.  There was a little light at the end of the tunnel, however, as those tenacious members who complained were given vouchers to spend at John Lewis!  Bazzing or what!

Paula's meal at the Legh Arms the following week was as good as it always is at the Legh and very reasonably priced to boot. 10 members went along on this occasion and had a really nice evening without any of the drama of the previous week.  (But no John Lewis vouchers either!) 

On 5th April, 14 members, courtesy of Maurice, went to the Palace Theatre to see 'Shout', the musical and what a fab groovy evening of nostalgia both in song and humour it was.  The small but hardworking and very talented cast which included Sue Pollard and Claire Sweeney regaled us with a plethora of hits from the sixties.  Yes, this was girl power 60's style and although the Spice Girls think they invented girl power, they didn't!  It was a packed house and an immensely enjoyable evening, the only downside being that because practically everyone knew the words to the songs, they couldn't afterwards keep up the pretence that they were 40 somethings!

On the same evening, John organised another of his by now famous dinner dances at Hollin Hall.  24 mainly new members went along for an evening of good food and good boogying and hopefully, were not disappointed.  But then we never are at Hollin Hall, or very rarely, as it consistently comes up trumps.

On 12th April, as Margaret wasn't well, Maurice took over the organisation of the meal at Romoulus Trattoria.  13 members booked to go on the meal but 4 cancelled on the day because they were unwell.  The meal was very nice indeed and the service good and it turned out to be a nice sociable, pleasant evening.  Luckily, 4 members of the public turned up at the restaurant on speck and were given the places of the members who couldn't make it.  N.B. If you are unwell and have booked on a meal could you possibly let the organiser know early in the day so that he or she can ring people who are on the waiting list and who booked too late to be included.  Thanks. 

10 members went along with Harry for a meal at Simply Thai in Poynton on 19th April.  The meal and service were excellent and apparently hot towels were handed out during the meal.  Super. 

On Thursday, 24th April, Chris booked tickets for 'The Elixir of Love' by Donizetti, performed by Clonter Opera. 16 Thursday Groupers joined with 2 other social groups and had an excellent evening.  Lots of fun at a give-away price.

On 26th April, 20 members joined a packed audience on the final night of the popular musical, 'Oklahoma' performed by Romiley Operatic Society at the Plaza Theatre in Stockport.  The show included many well-known songs and was excellent from start to finish with our very own Angela Hill strutting her stuff in magnificent fashion.  A good toe-tapping night was had by all.

Also on 26th April, Lynne Mence arranged for a meal at the Handforth Cantonese restaurant.  A whopping 29 people went along on this one and had a lively, fun-filled evening out.  The 4 course banquet was fantastic and the amounts provided proved a challenge for most people with even Terry ending the evening feeling full to bursting point. 

On 3rd May, Peter Gee booked tickets for a Stylzjive and dinner dance at Poynton Community Centre.  A good fun night was had by all who attended and at the relatively small cost of £15 per head.

On Saturday, 10th May, 7 members went to The Royal Exchange theatre to see 'The Glass Menagerie’, courtesy of Helen, who booked the tickets.  The play was brilliant and the acting memorable with Brenda Blethyn in the leading role ably supported by the other less well-known cast members.  This classic Tennesee Williams' play centred on a mother's thwarted hopes for her children and haven't we all been there, folks!

John and Glenys' dinner dance at Marple Golf Club on 17th May, was a roaring success with 65 members and friends boogying the night away to a well-thought out selection of music.  The buffet was superb with lots of variety and the company impeccable.  When's the next one, J. and G.?

On Saturday, 24th May, Carol and Sue arranged for the foodies amongst us to dine at The Smoker in Plumley.  A pleasant evening of food and chatter was had by all and the ambience was as good as ever.

Walks.

On 23rd March, Mike led a circular walk round the environs of Edale.  16 hardy types turned up on a snowy but gloriously sunny day.  After 2 walkers got their cars stuck in a snowdrift on top of Rushop Edge, Mike, astute as ever, decided to modify the walk to take in a route which stuck to the valley floor.  All went well from that point on and after a lovely exhilarating walk the day ended with a fine meal in a deserted ramblers’ pub in Edale.

Graham's Easter Monday bike ride for softies attracted 7 stalwarts who I have to say were far from soft!  I was one of them so I know.  The stalwarts, hitherto known as The Magnificent Seven, set out on a rather nice day which was cold but fine.  After cycling for 2 hours and 11 miles along country lanes bedecked with banks of daffodils, we reached our goal (the first pub) where we repaired for drinks.  After a pint we got on our bikes again and set off to another pub just down the lane for food and some more drinks.  I had forgotten my bike lock but luckily Graham had a big long one which did the trick.  We then relaxed for an hour or so in the warmth and comfort of The Bird in Hand before setting off on the final leg.  We were in good spirits despite a small hailstorm but overall the weather had been very nice indeed and we all got back to the meeting place without mishap.

On 30th March, because 'Gentleman' John Holmes was unable to lead the walk around Ashford, Monsal Dale and Sheldon, our indomitable walks organiser, Jenny, took up the reins and did it in fine style.  18 walkers turned up on a lovely day and enjoyed a nice walk in this picturesque area.  The walk took in 50 steps up to Sheldon and through the woods and ended with soup and sandwiches at a local hostelry.  What could be nicer than that?

On 6th April, 25 walkers turned up for Graham's easy, flat walk round Lymm.  As they set off, Graham tried to contact the pub to confirm the numbers only to find that it had gone into receivership.  (This is becoming a habit with Graham, he only has to book somewhere and they shut down!)  Luckily, a nearby pub took pity on us and so the day was saved.  Anyroad up, the walk was very pleasant and the weather was kind, the sun came out and the snow melted away.  Enough to bring tears to a glass eye!

On 13th April, John led a walk from Rushton Spencer to The Ship Inn at Wincle.  Despite being unable to get his GPS to work (yes, Graham, he should have taken his OS map), John still managed to lead 16 members to The Ship Inn, after a very pleasant walk and just before another group of 50 got there.  En route, Graham gave a potted history of the Royal Observer Corps at the site of one of the few preserved R.O.C.'s observation posts.  Sounds rivetting to me, Graham!

Arfur's bluebell walk around Marple on 27th April tempted 22 members to leave their Sunday papers and enjoy the fresh air and ambience on this pretty walk.  Everyone took sandwiches and ate them amongst the bluebells on Brabyn's Brow.  Mmm, a bit too like a Lady Chatterley scenario to me!

Mike Hawkin's Mellor ramble on Sunday 4th May was a very successful ramble indeed with 22 people turning up and for once, there was an equal mix of men and women.  The weather, unfortunately, was very inclement with patchy rain for most of the walk but did it dampen our spirits, not on your nelly.  After a puffy climb, towards the end of the walk, lunch was taken at the Lane Ends which although it had recently changed hands and was more expensive than before was still nice and very welcome after the rain.  Two brand new prospective members went on the walk and as a result of the wonderful time they had, they have now joined.  Goody, goody.

Graham's cycle ride on 5th May tempted 10 people out of their comfy beds to join him on this Bank Holiday Monday.  Unfortunately, fate conspired against our Graham on this occasion because not only had the pub where we met closed down but the pub we were supposed to be stopping at for lunch had also closed down!  It gets worse because the track we were going to use was waterlogged and that kyboshed the cycle ride once and for all!  So it was back to Graham's for tea and biscuits and then over to the Vine at Dunham for liquid refreshment and food. 

On Thursday, 8th May and Saturday, 10th May, Brian arranged for us to take canal boat trips from New Mills to Bugsworth Basin.  6 members went on each trip and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

10 people went on Peter's walk along the Cloughs and over the moors from Hayfield on 11th May.  The day was fine and very sunny, tempered by a light East wind, nice walking weather in fact.  Everyone stayed the course (they had to really or they'd never have found their way back) and they enjoyed each other’s company so much that all 10 went to the pub afterwards for a nice meal. 

On Sunday, 11th May, Jonathan's walk for newcomers and beginners around the fields and lanes of Adlington attracted 12 members, mostly ladies, on a gloriously sunny day.  The walk began at The Miners Arms and took in a very upmarket cottage’s back lawn; we knew it was upmarket because there was a vintage Rolls Royce on the drive and a dog with its head stuck out through the cat flap.  There was lots of wild garlic in Poynton coppice and a small deer was seen scurrying through the woodland.  Do I sound a bit like David Attenborough?  Any road up, after the walk, we ended up where we had started, at The Miners Arms where we ate and drank outside to enjoy the wonderful weather. 

On Sunday, 25th May, Roger led a tough walk round Doctor’s Gate and Bleaklow.  Not for the fainthearted this walk and that was obvious because Bill went on it.  They walked in the teeth of the gale up to Doctor’s Gate and then crossed parts of the uncharted Dark Peak region.  This walk was certainly not for softies and just to prove it they ended up at The Queens Hotel in Old Glossop, an area where men are men and women aren't half grateful.

On Bank Holiday Monday, 26th May, Graham led yet another bike ride, this time on the Tissington trail.  6 cyclists, or is that masochists, turned up for this one on what turned out to be a very windy day.  (Is someone trying to tell Graham something about his bike rides?)  In fact, the 12 miles seemed like 20 as the wind howled non stop for the duration of the ride.  However, a nice meal at the Waterloo pub in Biggin and afternoon tea in Longnor made the ride seem less arduous in our minds at least.

And now for John's weekend in the Brecon Beacons.  18/19/20th April.

56 guests, 11 of whom were accommodated in local hostelries, booked on John's weekend in the Brecon Beacons.  The weather on Saturday was not encouraging but despite this, several stalwarts managed to climb to the top of the Beacons in a howling gale.  Others satisfied themselves with a stroll in the woods to see the bluebells and waterfalls.  The highlight for DJ Glenys was to find a Clarks shoe shop with 50% off, orgasmic or what?  The dancing on Saturday evening was as well-attended and frenetic as ever.   John would like to thank those people whose contributions helped to make the weekend a success.  Brendan for researching the walks and subsequently leading one, Arfur for leading the Sunday walk and Ian for the Friday night musical quiz.  We would all like to thank you, John for continuing to organise these wonderful, bi-annual weekends away.

And last but not least, the Manchester Midnight Walk in aid of St. Ann's Hospice on 23rd May.  Thanks to Edwige, 15 walkers went along; including 8 from the Group and all completed the walk successfully.  The weather was kind and everything went well.  As all donations have not yet been received, we will report back on the amounts raised at a later date. 

And now for the thank you's.

Thanks to Jim, Paula, Maurice (twice), John (thrice), Glenys, Harry, Angela, Lynne, Peter, Helen, Carol and Sue for keeping us entertained.  Now the thank you's for the walks/cycle rides/canal boat trips.  Thanks to Mike (Tobias), Graham (an amazing 4 walks/cycle rides), Jenny (twice), John, Bernie, Arfur, Mike (Hawkin), Brian (twice), Peter, Jonathan, Edwige and her entourage and last but not least our venerable leader, Roger.  Thanks also to the hosts of the Late Date @ Eight Saturday pub nights, Brendan and Guy for Badminton, David for the mid-week walks and anyone else who knows me!

If I've left anyone out, it isn't malicious, I've had a traumatic time with my computer and have actually done the reviews three times having lost the first two somewhere in the bowels of the computer.  Bring back the electric typewriter where nothing got lost.