MD Christmas Dinner ~ Thursday 1st December

Just a note to say that I have emailed the menus to all that have indicated they wish to attend. If you haven't received the email please let me know ASAP!
Thanks
Chris

MD Christmas Dinner ~ Thursday 1st December

The MD Christmas Dinner will be held at the Juggs Inn, Kingston, Lewes on Thursday 1st December. Details will be circulated asap.

Bowling - David Lloyd

Kuba from Planet Divers has contacted me regarding our invitation for a joint bowling night. They are up for it and favour a Friday night and have suggested either 3rd June. Approx 10 members have indicated that they would be up for it.

Lets make it a good night with plenty of Meridian diver bowlers showing off their prowess.

Meridian Diners!

MDers gathered at the Gun at Gun Hill for a few seasonal drinks before  festive three-course nosh in their newly named 'Divers Retreat' dining room. Despite meticulous planning and record keeping nearly everyone denied their dinner choices, well OK,a slight exaggeration! 

Xmas Dinner Divers

Sadly not all could make it and amongst them were Debbie & Ian who have just recently taken-off for a one year stay in Portugal, but thanks to them for sponsoring the prizes for the Annual MD Photo Competition. This year MDers were asked to confine their photo submissions to one photo in each of the two categories. This reduced the judging time to a few minutes rather than what has seemed like days in the past! The two category winners are below, so personal thanks to Debbie & Ian too!

Photo Competition Winner (Above Water Category) (by Chris-P)

Photo Competition Winner (Under Water Category) (by Nick P)

Alex submitted a rather contemporary photo of a sheep in the 'above water category' and going by recent years judging which has favoured four-legged mammals with coats it had to be regarded as a very serious contender for the category. And for that matter ,who knows, even the under water category too! It's anyone's guess when you ask judges their views after a few drinks!

And contrary to popular belief the Meridian Divers were not the last ones to the the establishment, as unbeknown to many the kitchen cleaner was working overtime that night!

Best wishes to all MDers for a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

T.R.Thompson Talk Tuesday 16th November

Meridian Divers have been asked to give a presentation on the SS.T.R.Thompson project to Sovereign Divers at the Svereign Yacht Club Eastbourne Marina on Tuesday 16th November (next week) at 7.30pm.
If you would like to come along Sovereign Divers will make you more than welcome.

Tiger & Thai ~ Wednesday 3rd November

Just a note to say thank you to all those who could make the Thai dinner at Thai Terre and a pre-dinner drink at the Tiger Inn at East Dean.  A very pleasant evening and a chance for those of us going on the Marsa Alam dive trip this month to catch-up on the detail!

I'm told by Ross that the Marsa Alam Sea Temperature was 27.8 Deg C (82F) on the 4th November, sounds nice (even warmer than usual?)

Oh ! And speaking of dinners, there are some Christmas Dinner balances to be paid! Fingers out please!

Anyone for a Thai Dinner?

At an earlier MD meeting a Thai dinner was suggested, if MDers would like to , we could hold the next 'meeting' at the Thai Terre restaurant in East Dean on Wednesday 3rd November. If this is an option we will need confirmed numbers quickly! Let me know!

Laser Quest/Bowling - Tuesday 28th September

Another good evening, although half of the group wimped out of the Laser Quest.

We split into two groups for the bowling the A Team (Mandy, Trez, Paul, Sheila)& B Team (Ian, Sue, Ernie, Debbie, Tracey). The A team thrashed the B Team with the star of the night being Paul whose score for the 2 games was 267.

It was suggested that perhaps we look at having a running score competition for next year.

Sorry no photos as our resident photographer was learning how to turn his new camera on.

Go Ape Leeds Castle Social

The Arboreal Branch (pun) of Meridian Divers took to the trees a couple of weekends back in the Grounds of Leeds Castle in Kent. Following on from last years lark at Bedgbury Forest which everyone enjoyed we met up and took on the challenge of the leeds castle course.

Although very similar to the bedgbury course, the main difference was that the zip wires tended to be longer up to half a kilometre perhaps more and a little higher crossing valleys.

I am pleased to say though most of the MD apers took the extreme routes which at times resulted in some interesting language especially on the hoops, no tree huggers here.

With the MD Mutts contingent following on foot it took around 3 hours to complete the course and plenty of bruises to show for it.

Some people managed to avoid the experience yet again by deliberately booking holidays or going to the wrong venue but there is always next year when we plan to climb the Mattahorn and base jump down.

The tree hopping was followed by a picnic in the park.

Thanks to Linda for organising the day.
Back to diving tomorrow ten times easier.

Photos to follow.

Tad

Laser Quest/Bowling - Tuesday 28th September

Laser Quest and Bowling is booked at Lloyds Lanes for 28th September. Laser Quest is booked of 7:40 and bowling 8:00. Meet at 7:30.

Laser Quest/Bowling
Sheila
Phil
Tracey
Paul
Mandy
Trez

Bowling only
Sue
Ernie

If anyone else wants to come can you please post a comment ASAP.

Sovereign Divers Visit

Firstly apologies to the Sovereign guys for not posting this before secondly a big thank you for making us feel welcome at your social evening which I feel was a great success even though the technology took a bit of sorting out for the film show.

With some ideas for a range of diving and social opportunities discussed for both the winter and next years diving season the future looks bright for a lot of joint projects for local dive clubs who wish to be involved.

Thanks to Jim for organising the evening

Tad

BBQ at Tad's (Chatham) ~ Sunday 26th September

Tad & Nicki are organising a BBQ at their home , seven MDers attending so far. Let Tad know if you are attending , or add a comment.

Laser Quest/Bowling - Tuesday 28th September

Just an update an correction of the date , to confirm, it IS Tuesday 29th September. Currently nine MDers are participating.

Next MD Meeting ~ TBC!

Hi y'all, the plan for the next meeting was to visit the Thai Restaurant in East Dean ... but it is not yet open and an opening date is not fixed! We will need to rethink the plans for 1st September!

Christmas is Coming the Goose is waiting to know what you want!

Just a reminder ,well one of a series of reminders, about letting me know your menu choices and getting your deposits in! Menu choices have been emailed out. If you are NOT coming just let me know as it helps minimise the running around!

Thanks

BBQ ~ Sunday 15th August

The planned shore dive and BBQ at Seaford was condensed into a BBQ only , after BBQ host Debbie 'tested' the sea with a snorkeling session and reported 'No Vis'. There were not too many complaints , well , none actually, when the decision to get stuck straight into the BBQ was made!

The weather turned-out better than expected and we made it a 100% open air affair! BBQ chefs Ian & Phil worked there wonders and the remainder of us 'helpers' did the best we could in getting stuck-in! Special praise due to Phil for his paella. Parsley kept a watchful eye on all the lovely nosh but his training paid-off and he settled for chasing after his ball!

Thanks to Debbie & Ian for hosting the day which was enjoyed by all.

Wreck Dive ~ Oceana , BBQ & Airbourne 12th Augustt

Another great day out on 'Channel Diver' with skipper Steve Johnson. Mind you an early start, loading the boat at Sovereign Harbour at 6.30am (ouch!) . Calm seas with the promise of sunshine (er, false promise). We made good speed out to the Ocean and were kitted and ready to dive as soon as the shot line was down. Not the greatest of vis (what's new!) but a good long bimble about the wreck as it was a 8m tide on low. As we surfaced the skies were bright and the promise still looked good. After the surface interval we relocated for the hardy few to do a drift dive. In they went for a short while before buoys-up and back onboard! We then motored off to a point a few hundred metres off of the Eastbourne West Lawns beach to watch Airbourne 2010.

Off the beach the weather turned for the worse and it was largely overcast and breezy, Skipper Steve struggled with deck BBQ (every bit of heat was being blown away), but managed to find some lee and we got stuck-in whilst watching the aircraft antics. Amazing stuff , as ever, very impressive. Impressive too was Tad's long distance relationship with a blonde wing walker on top. Oh, on top of a Breitling bi-plane that is.

After the airshow we whizzed back to Sovereign Harbour , straight through the locks and unloaded before a rather pleasant pizza party at Sheila & Ernie's . Nice one you too , very enjoyable, even if I did spend much of my time in mortal unarmed combat with your Pattendale Terrier . Realising I was beaten I surrendered before I was finished-off by 'Take no prisoners Poppy'.

All-in-all a grand day out Grommet!

Laser Quest/Bowling - Tuesday 28th September

Next Laser Quest/Bowling Night is scheduled for Tuesday 28th September at Lloyds Lanes, Eastbourne. Cost for 1 game of Laser Quest and 2 bowling is £11.00

Please post a comment if you are coming.

[Date corrected!]

Meridian Divers Xmas Dinner 2010 ~ Wednesday 15th December

We are in the process of identifying where this years Xmas Dinner will be located, several options are being researched as per the last MD meeting.

I have circulated specific details on the following locations:-

1) The Gun at Gun Hill

2) The Sussex Ox at Milton Street

More will follow. In due course it would be useful if MDers made comments on their preferred location , by adding a comment or emailing me!

Cancelled - B-B-Q 4th July 2010

Due to the change in schedule of 'Bucaneer' from Eastbourne to Shoreham we have decided the B-B-Q is no longer viable so it has had to be cancelled, but never fear we will set a new date (Ernie is waiting to try out his new pinny)