Here we are in the middle of summer and as I write this the rain is hitting the window and the wind howling round the chimney pots and a small swimming pool has appeared outside the patio doors. The BBQ I had planned for this evening has turned into a mixed grill but I am still hoping that things might improve for the 19 August.
As the speaker was unable to come to the April we made do with a buffet, and the May meeting had to be cancelled as the equipment we were meant to use was stolen. We have had two very successful meetings in June and July though.
The joint meeting with partners for lunch at the Borough Arms was very well supported and we had a very enjoyable meal

Joan Hick
Chairman

You can email me on: gnjhick@btinternet.com to let me
have your email address give me your address for mailing.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Geoff Hick
Funding Officer

Sunday Lunch at the Borough Arms
As the pictures show everyone had a good time at this get together in July.

Carer's Commandments

1. Thou shalt not try to be all things to
all people

2 Thou shalt not be perfect, or even try

3 Thou shalt leave things undone that
ought to be done

4 Thou shalt not spread thyself too thin

5 Thou shalt learn to say no

6 Thou shalt schedule time for thyself and
thy supportive network

7 Thou shalt switch off and do nothing
regularly

8 Thou shalt be boring, inelegant, untidy
and unattractive at times

9 Thou shalt not feel guilty

10 Thou shalt not be thine own worst
enemy
 

Train ride

The July meeting saw The Musketeers at yet another new venue. The evening was spent at the Churnet valley Railway at Cheddleton where for a few hours we were shunted back in time to the age of steam. It was not quite the same experience we had as youngsters when we eagerly boarded the train at Stoke to Rhyl or Blackpool, but it did bring back some memories.
Although we did seem to travel over the same length of track several times, we were entertained first by a group of cows who decided to amble across our path as the train chugged along and then at the end of the line by a jazz band, not once but again when the train repeated the journey.
A buffet was served on route, not, thank goodness living up to the reputation of British Rail catering of times gone by.
It was another good night had by all.

Have you ever wished you could shoot like Annie Oakley, fire arrows like Robin Hood or drive like Michael Schumacher? Well, Musketeers members experienced all three wishes in one night at their June meeting.
The Musketeers have been going to Kingsley Shooting grounds for the last two years to experience clay pigeon shooting and this year the organisers offered something different, a night of air rifle shooting, archery and blind driving.

Twelve members of the Musketeers plus various hangers on and spectators arrived at the shooting grounds in the early evening for a coffee and a safety briefing. It was really nice to see several young members (sons and daughters mostly) also there to enjoy the evening.

Firstly we experienced air rifle shooting, firing high powered rifles at a range of targets set up to try our skill. I think it's fair to say the skills of Annie Oakley were noticeably lacking although Pepe? Rose above the rest to take the competition.
Secondly, Robin Hood time, so off we went to the archery range that had been set up for us. After several practice rounds we all entered a competition to see whether the practice had done us any good. After some less than outstanding scores it came down to a three arrow shootout between two of the competitors which was won by Andy Abbott after a very impressive display.
Finally, to blind driving. Split into groups of two the object of the exercise was for each group to navigate a course with the driver being blindfolded and the second member having to navigate them through a series of obstacles and to park the jeep with voice instruction only accompanied by one of the instructors who allocated marks for our efforts. I think it's fair to say this was a most difficult and disorienting task won again by two of the youngsters, Chris and Beth, despite neither of them holding a full driving licence yet.

After all these exertions we adjourned back to the main building for refreshments (which were extremely good) and the awarding of the trophies.

Another really smashing night out for the Musketeers!