The warm weather certainly highlighted our social side this summer. Our July meeting was a well-attended picnic in a member’s lush garden with catering provided primarily by the committee. In August, instead of our scheduled speaker, members enjoyed Pimm’s on our venue’s terrace and did their best with colanders and other aides to view the partial eclipse.

Dining Club had an excellent evening at Manzi’s (Soho) in July, and opinions were split at the August meetings of Book Club where The Names by Florence Knapp was discussed.

Our Outings took us back to the Houses of Parliament where Catherine reprised her ‘behind the scenes’ tour for those unable to go on previous visits, and later in the month three carloads of us visited a somewhat scorched (but still inspirational) Sissinghurst Castle Garden.

Our Short Walks visited the Queen Elizabeth II Garden in Regent’s Park again as there were many who were unable to attend the last time, and in the following month there was a shady tromp over Hampstead Heath with ice creams at the café to finish.

Both of the Walking Club walks took us near water – the Benfleet to Leigh on Sea walk even tempting one of the walkers into the sea. In August the Thames featured in a circular walk from Hampton Wick.

Tennis continued weekly – valiantly navigating both the heat and all the children’s summer group lessons.