We’ve been making the most of the sunshine and outdoors lately with walks, dancing, and alfresco dining! 

After a very energetic evening grasping the somewhat complicated basics of Morris dancing at our May meeting, we took advantage of the long summer evenings to have an excellent guided walk (or ‘watery ramble’) around the redeveloped Kings Cross area for our meeting in June.

Our Short Walks took us to Kew Gardens in May, and then Kensal Green Cemetery in June where we were given VIP treatment in the form of tea and delicious cake and an opportunity to visit the Crypt in the Dissenters’ Chapel.

Selfridges’ rooftop restaurant ‘Alto by San Carlo’ was the destination for Dining Club in May and we had a gloriously golden evening to socialise and enjoy the Italian tapas.

We went eastwards for both of our Walking Club walks; a Brentwood circular in May, and to Suffolk to walk in Constable’s footsteps on a baking midsummer’s day in June.

There was another visit to the Houses of Parliament with our very own Treasurer as guide again – such a privilege to have an insider. Also in May a small number enjoyed a trip to Eltham Palace (a mediaeval/Art Deco treasure) which included a picnic beforehand and fantastic ice cream afterwards.

In all of this we’ve had unbroken sunshine and beautiful weather and although the heat has been a bit too much at times it’s been so good to be outdoors. Even Craft Group was out in the garden this month. 

The discussion at Book Group centred on Edna O’Brien’s book ‘The Country Girls’ and was pretty nearly in the garden – we were technically inside but the doors were opened fully. Of course Doubles Tennis is always outdoors and lately the challenge has been the heat, but swapping coffee for ice lollies afterwards seems to do the trick.