As you can probably remember back in the summer, with Pam and Mike Aldrich, we had a smashing evening at our annual Centre dinner. Bert Oslar was his normal sensation on the piano. The new venue was a great success with wonderful gardens; the hotel had its own helipad for those that may have found the drive a little too long. And I had the honour of escorting my lovely cousin Lesley to the dinner. During recent personal events Lesley has been very kind to me and it was a great pleasure to be with her. Also there was a major happening at the dinner: yours truly became a Chevalier-Sabreurs. After taking Clare Logue, the Manageress of the Grovefield Hotel for a spin in my Morgan (an experience the charming Clare had always wanted apparently) Clare offered to take me through the art of Sabrage. Naturally I was a little reticent but as Clare pointed out a Morgan owner can do anything. Thank you Clare for a very special evening. Incidentally Lesley finished off most of the Champagne - I was driving!
We hope to go back to the Grovefield Hotel next year, however this month we have our Annual Centre Christmas dinner at the Phoenix. I can't promise the tops of champagne bottles flying off with swift blows from a sword but we should have a pleasant evening with friends setting us up for the festive season. Please contact me soon as places are going fast and I would like to accommodate everyone if I can. Don't forget on New Year's Day there is a classic car meeting at the Phoenix around lunchtime, there is normally a very turn out interesting motors.
Joint walk with Sexmog at Devil's Dyke
Sunday 28th December 2003
To end our year of Monthly walks on a spectacular high note, I have negotiated access to the glorious South Downs in the heart of Sexmogland. On the last Sunday in December we shall be joining Sexmog for a walk along a stretch of the South Downs Way.
We shall meet at the Devil's Dyke viewing point at 10:30 am. We will be back to enjoy lunch at the Devi's Dyke Hotel (Tavern), hopefully. Devil's Dyke is just North of Brighton and can be approached quite easily from the Brighton by-pass. From the A27 follow the clearly marked signs to Devil's Dyke.
The walk will take us West from Devil's Dyke offering fine views of the Sea and Downs from a high vantage point. We shall head along the Fulking escarpment and onto Edburton Hill. At this point we should have views North over the Weald and West to Truleigh Hill. Once at Truleigh Hill we shall continue on to the Youth Hostel where we may get a view of Tottington Manor, a once favourite watering hole of Sexmoggers. On the way back we may make a slight detour to investigate the remains of the motte-and-bailey castle. At this time of year I have been at this point in freshly fallen snow; so it could be fun!
I hope to see you there.
As this report is the last one of the year I would like to wish all my readers a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year, enjoying above all good health. It is this time of year when thoughts tend to towards love ones and friends that we have lost and that are sadly no longer with this. The best we can do is to keep their memory alive. In 2004 we plan to start an annual event that will do some good for charities while at the same time helping us to remember the family and friends we have lost. As we develop the details I shall let you know, please watch this space.
Take care and see you all soon.