May 2010

The first noggin of the month, organised by Tony & Pam, was held at Cottrell Park Golf Club. It was good to see Gary there and also Mel, looking pretty good at his first noggin for some time. Suspicions should have been aroused when we were told that food had to be ordered by 7.30pm latest. They weren’t. We were caught out!

The food service was prompt and efficient and the food itself was very good. However, at 8.55pm we were told that we had 5 minutes left in which to order drinks because the bar was closing at 9pm. It did - dead on time. Not even a cup of coffee was available for the rest of the evening, even though there was staff in attendance. This is NOT the place for a noggin on a winter evening.

Keith & Brenda arranged an impromptu run on Tuesday, 16th March when we met at The Weir, a National Trust property near Hereford. Dianne & I had a lift with Chris & Helen in their new tin-top while everyone else made the most of the sunshine with the hoods down. We had a picnic of coffee with cake and biscuits as well as the odd chocolate then wandered around the grounds for an hour or so, enjoying the wonderful display of snowdrops, before following Keith on a scenic run to our lunch stop. Not the one he had previously planned, as it was closed. Instead, we went to the Riverside at Aymestrey, where we met up with another pair of tin-toppers, Rob & Kay. This was a delightful little pub, which was very busy for lunch but managed to seat us all, though not together. The scenic route continued after lunch until individuals peeled off at appropriate points to head for home. Thanks to Keith & Brenda for a very pleasant day.

The Usk noggin on the 17th was well attended but there were only 12 of us at the Halfway in Nantgaredig on the 26th. Tony & Pam won Simon’s bottle of wine for the favourite Morgan in the car park. The second time they’ve won this, albeit with different cars.

Jackie and Stuart’s skittles evening proved popular again this year, although the miserable weather put paid to a scenic run beforehand. Brenda won the competition in a play-off against Jackie K, with Jackie H winning the wooden spoon. Thanks both for another well-organised and enjoyable evening.

Don’t forget to arrive as early as you can for the Pencoed Show on the 9th and please let Carl & Jean know if you intend going along to their noggin on the 13th.