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2012
The year started with a (slightly) below average
Chellaston panto followed, a day later, by Sue's 60th birthday party.
It was an excellent evening with family, friends, work colleagues
as well as the FridayNighters. Drinking, eating, chatting and dancing;
the usual party activities were enjoyed by all.
2011
No panto this year, just the Friday nights at the Lawns,
now with really good beer. March saw Kev turn 60 and he held a "gambling
party", which everyone enjoyed though no-one understood how John
could win the most money. On Easter Monday, there was a full turn-out
at the John Thomson for a walk round Robin Wood towards Ticknall and
back. A week later, there was a smaller gathering at Trent Lock and
a contrasting walk that included riverside and an industrial estate.
The food afterwards was good (not that Kev or Sue realised). The next
walk was on Spring Bank holiday Monday from Milton and around Foremarke.
It was good but the edge was taken off by the continual rain (which
caused Lynne to wimp out). We ended up in the White Swan at Milton
for lunch.
At the end of June, we went to Hayfield in north
west Derbyshire. Unfortunately, the Marvills couldn't join us but
maybe it was just as well, as the walks chosen proved to be rather
strenuous. The Hayfield walk started and finished wet but the weather
was clear for the bulk of the walk. It was quite hilly in parts
but was considered an achievement by the end. The hotel, drinks
and food was enjoyed by all of us, though maybe Dave won't want
to comment on the breakfast. The Sunday walk was at Moneyash and
was in totally different weather conditions. It was exceptionally
hot and sunny and a lot of the pathways were limestone, which made
walking rather treacherous. Overall, it was probably enjoyed but
not as much as the drinks at the end. Another successful weekend.
The Cartwright's annual barbecue took place again
this year and it was another success, despite the weather's attempt
to put a dampener of things. It takes more than a bit of rain to
ruin our evenings. However, the rain didn't hold off for the August
Bank Holiday walk, this time at Rosliston. It was a good walk, finishing
off at the Bull's Head.
The biggest social event of the year was on 16 September,
when we all went to Richard Mooney's wedding to Donna in Oxfordshire.
Not only did the rain hold off, but the sun shone on the beautiful
grounds of Caswell House. DaveM and Kev looked particularly smart
in their ssuits, whatever colour they were. It was a wonderful wedding
followed by an excellent meal, with a few drinks and some dancing.
We stayed overnight before a good breakfast and then going our separate
ways.
The end of the year approaches and Christmas starts
with the annual dinner/dance, again at the Littleover Lodge. It
was as good as last year, if not better as there were more people
there so a better atmosphere. A good night. The year finished with
Christmas Eve festivities at the Lawns and circumstances dictated
reduced numbers at the New Year's Eve celebration, also at the Lawns.
2010
The year started with inconvenience as the pantomime
and a village quiz co-incided. Therefore the panto was poorly attended
by us (evidently it was a bit disappointing) and the quiz representatives
came 7th out of 14; not bad. The Lawns reopened in March and there
was a mixed response to the refurbishment but the reaction was generally
favourable.We are now back at our spiritual home.
The first walk of the year, on Easter Monday, was
local (Chellaston, Barrow, Swarkestone) with drinks at the Crewe
and Harpur. A few weeks later was the second walk, on May Bank Holiday,
at Weston, followed by food and drinks at the Clock in Shardlow.
A quiet summer but a lovely walk, at Shardlow, was
organised for August Bank Holiday Monday. The annual Christmas meal
was at a new venue; the Littleover Lodge. The meal was excellent
and the disco good. There was also plenty of room so that the "old
and knackered" could talk. A very enjoyable evening.
The year finished with Christmas Eve at the Lawns
and New Year's Eve also at the Lawns.
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