February 2010

 

The first weekend in December saw thirty TaffMog couples, together with some dear friends from far off England, converge on the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells for the annual Winter Weekend. This year we have Chris & Helen to thank for their valuable time, effort and travelling to make all the arrangements.

 

Fifty-five members arrived on the Friday and enjoyed an informal evening. After breakfast on the Saturday there was the choice of either a long or short run to Ludlow with its thriving market. Stuart & Jackie had a different agenda, however. It was back home to check on their rogue builder, or was it? They’d set out in their trusty 4/4 but returned in a sparkling new +4. The secret had been perfectly kept right to the end.

 

A light lunch of soup & sandwiches had been arranged at the Charleton Arms where we had a room of our own so that we would not disturb or offend any of the “proper clientele”. Luckily, the weather remained fine for our wanders around Ludlow, but that changed on the return journey, when it was back to the rain of recent weeks. There weren’t many mince pies or Welsh cakes remaining by 6pm so it was off to our rooms to prepare for the usual black tie evening. Well it was for most people. Stuart & Jackie didn’t fit into that group as they couldn’t get into their room – neither could the manager - and the maintenance man wasn’t due in until Monday! The situation was alleviated by smashing the door down so that our distraught members could prepare themselves – one at a time of course, while the other stood guard at the now open entrance to the room. An alternative room was found and the hapless pair arrived in the dining room a little late. Many members took serious advantage of the delay, enjoying extra drinking time. Others pondered further over Keith’s quiz. Who were those bright eyed and bushy tailed children whose photographs had been pasted on the board for all to see? It caused a great deal of discussion and amusement – especially when the results were announced. Thanks Keith for a very entertaining quiz. We’d like another one next year, please. Our Poetess Laureate, Caroline had again summed up the year’s activities in her, now traditional, Christmas Ode. We all look forward to this amusing start to the evening. Thank you Caroline. The meal was enjoyed by all, as was Chris’s slide show. Could this really have been his last? His presentations have always been enjoyed and much appreciated by those attending the Winter Weekend and it just wouldn’t be the same without them. He may well succumb to pressure, so it’s over to you, the members!

 

The raffle was back with a vengeance, thanks to Jackie and her helpers, Kay & Dianne, for the benefit of our two nominated charities – MacMillan Nurses receive £700 and the Gwent Sparkle Appeal, £760. These sums represent a lot of hard work and generosity of members throughout 2009. As well as our normal complement of prizes, we were fortunate, and grateful, to receive a number of prizes from The Factory. Thank you all.

 

The evening was a great success and on the Sunday morning most members showed little, if any, after effects. It was noted, however, that one member had his cooked breakfast in a cereal bowl instead of on a plate - noticed by everyone except the culprit himself.

 

After breakfast it was a relatively short run to the superb Abbey Cwm Hir where we enjoyed our conducted tour. Graham couldn’t manage it after hurting his back so he was carefully laid out in his room with the TV remote in his hand. Then it was back to the Metropole for a 3-course lunch before saying our fond farewells and heading home. Graham managed to join us for the lunch and we have since learned that he is recovering well – in fact, he’d recovered sufficiently to relieve Joan of the driving of the Mog on the way home. I wonder!

 

Thanks to Chris & Helen, once again for organising another super weekend.

 

December’s Thursday noggin was in the far West at Humphrey & Caroline’s home in Rhossili. Twenty intrepid members braved the dark night and even darker lanes of Gower to attend Caroline’s “Birthday Bash”. We had a most pleasant evening and it’s a big thank you to Humphrey and Caroline for their great hospitality.

 

Our very successful 2009 Programme was completed the following Wednesday with the Christmas meal at the Con Club in Usk, which was again organised by Jackie. Thanks, yet again! Steward Bob and his wife, Annette, have done a great job in looking after us throughout the year and we thank them for this.

 

By the time you read this we should have a full and varied programme for 2010. We look forward to another year of enjoying our Morgans and the company they afford.