5th April

We dashed down to the Ship Inn at Redbridge taking the last parking space and on entering approached the counter for a ordering a drink. One U3A member who arrived just before us asked where was everybody. From the questioning she received they must have many parties in different rooms but finally it was agreed we were the Benfield group lot. And we were then escorted through the kitchen to a skittle room with its own bar. No photo's this time as Dave felt we might not like to be seen in such poor surroundings. Thanks for Molly getting the music turned off I was just going deaf. But despite this we sat at a happy table where we had a good laugh and the food we ordered was good and the service was prompt so can't complain too much.

March lunch at The Swan Lyndhurst

A good attendance at the The Swan for a very enjoyable meal. The vegetables were cooked perfectly and the Ale Meat Pie I had was very good. Being served table by table was also a good way of serving the food no one felt left out and waiting while everybody else was eating.

1st Feb 2011

Very popular venue for today's meal, the Waterloo Arms in Lyndhurst. About forty of us but despite a limited staff they coped very well in catering for us. I never heard a word of any serious complaint the food was excellent.

December 14th Cloud Hotel

A lot milder for our annual visit to the Cloud Hotel. Greeted again by the resident Father Christmas who helped all of us to park not without some risk to himself.
All seemed to enjoy the meal this year and of course good company. Our thanks to John for making it possible by doing all the arrangements this month and most of the year.

November lunch at the Balmer Lawn hotel

I'm told that all record 48 members who attended it enjoyed the experience of going somewhere a bit more upmarket than our usual pub lunches.

5th October meeting

A good number of us arrived at the Fountain Court Hotel a stately building that had seen better days but despite adverse comment on its web page we found the food quite good considering the very reasonable prices. The staff were also friendly and polite. We had our meal in the conservatory which was light and warm.

September lunch

Our Marchwood venue was not so hot in more ways than one. The carvery was rather late and people were not too happy to be kept waiting to be served although going by the big smiles for the £1 afters it perhaps made up for it.

August Lunch at the Pilgrim Inn

Dave reports that there were 27 attending the lunch meeting at the Pilrim Inn mixed views on the value. He added titles to the the photos - who could be the charmer?
[820] All the Good Looking ones

[823] Same table different view

]808] Threw this one in as I liked it A Red Admiral

809] the Pilgrim Inn

[815] Ladies Table


[819] Executive Table

6th July

Twentyseven of us attended the The Heath at Dibden Purlieu for quite a nice meal at low cost on a nice summer's day.

Next month The Pilgrim at Marchwood

May lunch

We met at The Old Farmhouse Totton all 30 of us. Considering the number of customers the service was reasonable. The food was for the very low price good and the only complaint was that at least one dinner was not hot.