2012-13 Diary

Our Probus Club continues to thrive, as will be seen from the following reports on the various events and activities of our sub-groups.

           

WALKING GROUP    Walking group members meet at the beginning of the new session and volunteer to research a walk for our programme.  The research includes timings, transport and, most importantly and in true Probus tradition, a lunch venue.   Theresa then collates the data and draws up the programme.  The walks are planned to be suitable for all abilities – and we haven’t lost anyone yet!  The 2012-13 programme included the following:

30 Oct

 

Peebles

 

Walked along the river through fabulous autumn colour past Neidpath Castle and crossed the river to return to the other side for lunch in the Neidpath Inn.

27 Nov

Callendar Park & Wood

We had a coffee stop and fine walk through the woods before returning for a browse in the shop and lunch.

8 Jan

Water of Leith, Roseburn to the Botanics

We had our coffee stop in Stockbridge and continued through the Botanics from the West (John Hope) Gate to the East Gate.

29 Jan

Liberton Dam

We were able to get the 31 bus to Cameron Toll.  A good day, which got milder.  Walked from Liberton Dam along the Braid Burn and continued round Blackford Pond.

5 Mar

Gosford House

A beautiful, still, sunny day and the grounds were carpeted in snowdrops.  We enjoyed our lunch at the farm shop.

5 Apr

Bo’ness-Kinneil House, Kinneil Estate

A very good outing -  lovely weather (if cold).  Visited Kinneil Museum.  Took packed lunch.

30 Apr

Musselburgh

Decided to go to Musselburgh since Craiglockhart was too muddy.  Lovely walk with nice sunny weather.  Saw skylarks and blackcap.  Enjoyed by all, as was the lunch at Luca's.

4 Jun

Summer Outing:

Fife Coastal Path – Train to Kinross, walk to Aberdour, train to Edinburgh

Went by train from the Gyle to Kinross.  Walked back via the Coastal Path to Aberdour.  All 12 of us thoroughly enjoyed the best day of beautiful weather and superb scenery.

 

BOOK GROUP
 

We’ve read a lot

And talked a lot

And raised a glass or two

So from this year’s selection

We recommend to you:

The Submission – Amy Waldman

Controversy surrounds the 9/11 memorial.

Gillespie and I – Jane Harris

A psychological thriller set in Victoria Glasgow.

The Black House – Peter May

A Hebridian murder mystery.

The Crimson Rooms – Katherine McMahon

A woman’s fight for recognition in 1920’s legal circles.

My Dear I Wanted to Tell You

A World War 1 love story.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – Rebecca Skloot

A true story of medical ethics or lack thereof.

 

LUNCH CLUB

Our third trip through the alphabet took the group to:

 

G

The Ghillie Dhu

Good atmosphere in building which was a casino and before that a church.  Good fish and chips and burgers.

H

Hilton Honours

Reasonable price for set lunch menu at Martin Wishart restaurant.  Excellent service.  Modern décor.

I

Iris

Casual dining in stylish setting in Thistle Street.

J

 

Jamie’s Italian

Good Italian food in lively atmosphere.  Part of the refurbished Assembly Rooms.

K

Kweilin

Up market Chinese restaurant.  Excellent service.

L

L’Escargot Blanc, Queensferry Street

Typical French food.  Private room for our party.

M

Café Marlayne, Antigua Street

Surprisingly big restaurant, which is handy for Playhouse Theatre.  French bistro food.

Thanks are due to the ladies who took turns to organise the lunches.  All are welcome  - please see the list at the table at each Probus meeting.

 

THEATRE GROUP

We are grateful to Margaret, who continued to organise theatre trips to the Lyceum Theatre this year, a particularly enjoyable one being ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  It is hoped that next session more of our members will take advantage of this opportunity for outings to the theatre.

 

BRIDGE  AND WHIST GROUPS

Play had to be cancelled since January because of building work being carried out in Corstorphine Bowling Club, the venue for these groups.   The cards will be getting shuffled again next season!

 

ANNUAL EVENTS

The Christmas Party

With Christmas Olympics as the theme, the room was decorated in red, white and blue bunting and balloons.  Our Committee made their appearance, attired in Olympic outfits of Union Jack t-shirts and caps, to the music of Chariots of Fire – and a lot of laughter.  Each Committee member was a ‘Game Referee’, and after flags of USA, China, Germany, France, Italy, Norway, Turkey and the UK were placed on each table, the Games began!   While referees kept score and moved round the room until everyone had had a turn at each game, the noise and excitement was such that a rugby rattle was required to mark the end of each 5 minute game slot.

A delicious buffet provided welcome relief from the Games.  This was followed by a Music Quiz, which required a tie-break question to identify the prizewinners.  Then came the results of the main event, the Christmas Olympics.  By some coincidence each country won an event, and gold medals were awarded, accompanied by well-earned applause.

The evening finished with the traditional carols, including our Club’s favourite, ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’.  Evidence of the party’s success can be seen in our website photogallery.

 

The Burns Lunch

This event took place at the Murrayfield Hotel because of ongoing building work at Corstorphine Bowling Club, our usual venue.  Some hilarity was caused by the sacrificial underheated haggis careering around the tray when the knife was sliced into it.  However, it was duly addressed with tots of whisky consumed, and after being returned to the kitchen for further heating, the haggis was served well-presented with neeps and tatties.

We had invited 3 male guests:  the piper, another to address the haggis and give the ‘Toast to the Lassies’ and the third who gave a recital of ‘Holy Willy’.  Unexpected talent from our numbers was discovered when 2 of our ladies, under duress, presented ‘The Immortal Memory’ and the ‘Reply from the Lassies’.

Notably, the Toast to the Lassies centred around the speaker’s own experience of girlfriends in his youth, and uncannily, with no collaboration at all, the very entertaining Reply from the Lassies was based on experience of boyfriends past!  Great minds ….!  Another successful event.

 

Dirleton Trip

The fourth enjoyable stay at the Open Arms in Dirleton took place in February with the usual games, shopping, good food and great company.

 

The May Outing

Falkland Palace provided an interesting venue this year, followed by an enjoyable lunch in the very pleasant surroundings of the Dean Park Hotel in Kirkcaldy.  Retail therapy in the gift shops also featured.  We were also lucky to have an excellent coach driver, whose Army first aid skills and amusing manner came in useful when one of our ladies took a tumble when she missed her footing coming off the coach – no alcohol involved.  Fortunately, she made an excellent recovery and was able to join us for lunch after a detour to the local hospital!

 

June Golf Outing to Kilspindie

Many thanks are again due to Frances Sorlie for organising our second golf outing.  The day began with bacon rolls in the clubhouse, followed by 18 holes and then a very enjoyable dinner back at the Club.  The performance on the 18 holes was of course recognised in the prize-giving at the end of our meal.  Although it was dry and warm, the weather Frances had arranged was not quite as sunny as the day she arranged last year.  However, we are happy for her to continue in her post!