Xmas night out

It just wouldn't be a Squash Vets do without some last minute chaos and confusion in the carefully planned arrangements. Having eventually successfully got everyone's orders for starters, main and dessert courses, then placed them with the restaurant, the first change was when Dan phoned me up about 2 pm and said that he and Fiona wouldn't be travelling up from Linlithgow after all, due to the apparently awful weather conditions. He had already phoned the restaurant directly to cancel their meal orders which I had (via Dick) only just placed with Franco's.

I asked Dan what he was talking about - there was nothing wrong with the weather in the North East. Dan said he would think about it, but I took this to be just a politeness and we wouldn't see them.

Anyway, a few of us showed up in the Stag bar and ordered pre-dinner drinks. The first surprise was when Gary and Mel walked in - I welcomed them but said what are you two doing here? - Gary had earlier indicated that they couldn't make the Friday night. Gary looked bemused and said "did I?", and Mel, of course, knew nothing of this.

Next, Jas and Linda arrived and said Dave and Doris wouldn't be able to make it as they had had a power cut in Durris just as they were about to leave. Next, who should walk in the door but Dan and Fiona, who had, after all, changed their minds!

Virtually everyone had now arrived - but where were Syd and Barbara, not to mention Dick and Theresa and Linda? I eventually found them - minus Theresa who had to pull out due to babysitting duties - waiting at the restaurant bar (despite the fact that we had agreed to meet in the Stag). If I'd had any hair left, I would have pulled it all out by now!

Anyway, it all worked out swimmingly in the end and the staff at Franco's did an excellent job - the food was very good (unless you were one of the few unfortunates who ordered Cannelloni) and the banter was great. Here's the groups by table:

We had requested the services of Salvatore, the singing waiter, and he was excellent:

There was only one member of our group who "complained" about the choice of the first two songs - Richard said they were both Elvis tunes and remonstrated accordingly in his usual understated way. There was then a wonderful moment when Angela, ones of the waitresses walked down the restaurant shouting "taxi for Simcox" to uproarious laughter all round!

One other feature that may have escaped a few was the sight of Dan with his newly opened right eye, after his operation 2 weeks ago:

Traditionally, this is the time of year when I go round and take everyone's targets/ambitions for their golf handicaps in 2009 - after a few drinks have been consumed of course! One of the stipulations is that nobody is allowed to give a number higher, or even the same as, their existing handicap - this was met with complaints from the usual quarters, but I persisted and eventually extracted the following:

Gary - 3

Syd - 4

Me - 9

Les - 9

Archie - 10

Dick - 10

Keith - 12

Dan - 16

Jack - 22

Richard - 27

and, from the Ladies:

Eileen - 9

Mel - 16

Angela - 18