David Mc

Seems to sit there for a while and then returns me to the main forum page?

No - neither could we!

I can do Thursday. When & where?!

No you didn't imagine it all!! I had a meal like that there as well - it was extremely surreal but my friends and I quite enjoyed it!

I really enjoyed this last time but have been too busy both at work and at home to keep up with the board. If the people who first met (or anyone else for that matter) are ever doing it locally again can you please PM me to let me know?! I've got a friend who's keen to come too....

Yes but will there be any lesbian jam?

I'd come again! I might even win again ;)

Sounds lovely - but see email annt - I shouldn't be eating so much cakey sweet stuff as you know!

Tracey - anything gluten-free do you think?!

I'll come! Promise. Pink shirt with blue vertical stripes. Grey jean-type trousers and glasses.

OK- remind me exactly where and when and whether I need to bring a board and a OSW?!!

I'd be interested in coming but if there are 4 already I don't really want to be a "spare". I'd also be skiving off choir practice to go. Tell you what - I'll take my music to work and watch this space tomorrow. If it develops to more takers during the day, I'll skive off choir and come along, otherwise I'll leave the 4 of you to it this time!

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missd - I'm not botanist but if the one you're referring to is in the front garden of 44 Chadwick Rd then I think that's a (fine example of a) Ceanothus shrub. I only know this because my partner's mother and stepdad "kitted out" our tiny garden as a housewarming present (back in 1999 for those obsessed the the length of time people have lived here) and put one of those in! Ours is nothing like that beautiful one though. Think it's something to do with the fact that they struggle for the light; so ours looks all straggly where its base is in the shade behind a fence but quite glorious above it (particularly at this time of year)!! Jacarandas are absolutely beautiful though - I think there's a fine one somewhere on Brixton Hill near that major junction with Christchurch Road and Streatham Place (also near an amazing cedar of some description)! Told you I was no botanist!

I think it's called Reynardine - had to use it when one of the mangy blighters took up residence under my decking! And it's disgusting.

The Breton Cider is rather good as well!

The one referred to as The Grove by Damo above is actually called The Vale - but you can hardly miss it!

So there are nascent Spanish classes, footie clubs, WIs, running get togethers, Scrabble clubs and Pup Quiz Squads. Does anyone play Bridge? I know 4 others who live locally and at least 2 more not so far away (all mates), 4 of that pool of 6 get together about once a week for some friendly, informal rubber bridge. Would be interested (and would need some help) setting up some friendly duplicate sessions (i.e. need multiples of 4) now that we're just about over the terror of formal Bridge Clubs instilled at what was supposed to have been a beginner/novice-friendly competition at the Young Chelsea a couple of years ago. We're not quite novices and beginners any more but I don't think any of us are going to make the national team any time soon. Any interest?

Alpine Dry Cleaners on Grove Vale

Never heard of that one! We play a rule called "Jacks" which means that, even if you're entitled to open the game because you've drawn the lowest alphabetical letter, but can't put a word of at least 5 letters down then your opening move is forfeit and so it moves round. If nobody can go then four letter words are allowed and so on. Also - what do people/should we use as the "arbiter"? I once attempted BOXTY (it's an Irish potato-based bread dish) which wasn't allowed according to the Official Scrabble Words book but was in one of the dictionaries (Collins I think) we had in the house so it was allowed by my gracious apponent. I've been trying to get it registered (started about 6 months ago I guess) but it's not made it even yet!! The site to do that is usually here http://www.collins.co.uk/wordexchange/ but their server seems to having problems right now.

Don't know the name but there's a place on Maxted Road. On the right, not far at all after you turn off Bellenden Rd. have never tried it.

I'm good for 8th May. 15 mins per player per game though? Phew. My opponent of most equal ability and I usually bank on 90 mins per game (total)! I'm going to have to speed up something chronic!

I have a deluxe with turntable :) But not the latest version of the "arbiter" (Official Scrabble Words). Yes it's normally 4 because there are only 4 racks supplied with any game. I don't see why you shouldn't have more players apart from the fact that it'd get boring for the other players if there were more than 4.

I don't. But the lovely Ros in Review (the fab bookshop on Bellenden Road) does (or did - I haven't been in recently). She gave me some eggs last summer - which were yummy!

Me too.