Midsummer (!) stroll

8 brave souls: me, Catrina, Roz, Di, Nicky, Sandy, Mary, and Jenny, decided that a bit of rain wasn't enough to deter them from taking part in the inaugural WINGs summer walk.

We met at the Lock leeper in Keynsham and set off at 7:50 in light drizzle. We walked under the bridge and along the river, past Fry's and past quite a few people fishing. The path was good and it was a nice easy, level walk. (if a bit snail and cow pat littered).

We arrived at the Lock and Weir just after 8:30 and enjoyed a drink and a sit down whilst watching a heron fishing on the weir. Unfortunately there were no other WINGs ladies waiting at the pub to greet us.

As it was getting dark and raining again, we headed back at about 9.

Thankfully some had brought torches as it was quite dark by the time we got back to the Lock Keeper.

We mostly all had very soggy wet feet but we all enjoyed it.

Next year we should go earlier in the year and remember to wear wellies if it's raining!

Kate S

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em

Except in this case it was the other way round. One by one the takers for our trip round Hanham Court gardens had to drop out until by Sunday (the day of the event) it was down to me. So I went. (On Monday). And I’m jolly glad I did.

We lived in Hanham when we first moved to Bristol and I’ve always been fascinated by that gothic house. Tragically the wall is high and I am not, and I’ve never really been able to get a good look at it until this week. It had crossed my mind to contact the estate agents and present myself as prospective buyer but I had a sneaking suspicion they might suss that I didn’t have a couple of million quid in the bank. Anyway, I digress.

The house, what I saw of it, is stunning, and the grounds go on for miles. There’s a lovely central area when you first go through the archway with tons of flower beds and pots, then there are other little walkways and a 15 minute walk where you end up in the hills with fantastic views.

There’s a sweet little church, a pond and a little waterfall, a couple of gypsy caravans and 2 lush dogs – a fantastic place to live if you were either a kid or a canine I should imagine.



You have 2 more opportunities to visit – this Sunday and Monday afternoon, 2.30 – 5pm. I’d recommend it if you get a chance.

Mandy x

Ay Caramba!!

We were birthday girls on Thursday night. One whole year! A Mexican theme was chosen, mostly because I had a couple of spare Mexican hats and a blow-up cactus in the loft that wasn’t getting a lot of usage. Also, it meant there’d be loads of scope for the food for our shared supper (which everyone took advantage of). The feeding of the five thousand didn’t get a look in, I’m sure we could have fed  an entire South American country on what we all brought to eat.

And then there was the entertainment – we tried to keep it a secret, so hopefully it was a surprise to most. Claire and Anna from The Showgirl Academy came along to show us the Mexican Hat Dance. Laugh!! - I’ll let the photos do the talking.

A really fun night I thought.

The margaritas were excellent, and we had a fantastic birthday cake.

I suspect there were plenty of families eating leftover chilli and enchilladas on Friday night.

Mandy x

Book group news

Hello all
Just a note to say that the next meeting of the book group will be 7.15pm on 21st July at the Ship on Keynsham High Street.
 

This month's read is: The Bolter by Frances Osborne (subtitle: Idina Sackville - The Woman Who Scandalised 1920s Society and Became White Mischief's Infamous Seductress ) 

Sounds like my kind of gal!

Happy reading
Cheers

Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough!

Not sure how many husbands and flatmates will be suffering this morning having been practised on when we got home. Although we were short on numbers this month, it made for more space to try out our self-defence techniques as Rita and Tracey showed us how to fend off would-be attackers. A bit of basic guidance to start with (such as, try not to put yourselves in a vulnerable position in the first place - walk down the main road, not down the lane) and then straight into some easy manoeuvres to extracate yourself from unwanted clutches. It’s a serious subject but our teachers gave us plenty of laughs, and no doubt got a few of their own from the grimaces on our faces as they gave us ‘hands-on’ tuition. Only one snap I’m afraid as all the photos Roz took have been taken by technology gremlins.

Our new monthly book sale got off to a good start. We’ve salvaged the best of the leftovers from the Spring Fayre and are flogging them at 50p a go – every little helps as they say.

There weren’t many notices this month - reminders about the Mexican Party, October ball and the sign-up sheet to help with registration at the door each month.

Don’t forget Book Club is next Thursday starting at 7.15pm at the Ship Inn on the High Street. If you’re a quick reader you could just about get through Chris Brookmyre’s Sacred Art of Stealing before we meet. Finally, this Sunday we’re meeting at Hanham Court at 2.30pm for a look round the gardens, followed by a swift half at the Lock and Weir if the weather is clement.
Hope to see you there

Cheers

Mandy x