Sunday Brunch Club Update
11 March 2008

Back to SBC Update list 

Hello!

Wasn't the rugby exciting on Saturday? What a result!!

Well of course I have to mention our skiing holiday. As a snow skiing virgin (I won't count my Hillend flying session*) I was amazed at how much we progressed after a week's ski school with the gorgeous and very French ESF instructors. I went from questionable snowplough at the beginning of the week to traversing steep and twisty blue runs in a style closely approximating parallel turns by the end. While two of us were beginners, most of our party were experienced skiiers and a few black run guys.

Graham and Annie our chalet hosts did a superb job and the food was first class. It turned out I knew Graham from dancing in Edinburgh, which was lovely.

Of course one cannot have a ski holiday without après ski. And we did our best to keep up the tradition of excess. The late night hot tub session was particularly popular it has to be said. I could go on at length but for once I'll employ the discipline of brevity.  I don't have pictures for you yet but watch this space!

* It was supposed to be a skiing lesson at Hillend [the dry ski slope in Edinburgh]. With great skill and dexterity I somersaulted over the blue padded crash barriers and landed in a muddy field.  The two instructors who rushed across said they'd never seen anything like it in 19 years at Hillend. I declined requests for a photocall and took the round of applause from the throngs of school children with good grace. Suffice it to say skiing on snow is considerably easier...

Coming up...

We've got tennis, korfball and badminton during the week and mingling and brunching at the weekend. Do come and meet us on Friday for a chat and a few drinks as we slide into the weekend.

Wednesday 12 March 7-9pm
Korfball
Venue: George Watson School, Colinton Road Edinburgh Map
Korfball is a cross between netball and basketball with mixed teams of 4 girls and 4 guys. It's great fun and brilliant exercise. Absolute beginners welcome. I'll be going along to try my hand, it looks like a lot of fun. More information: www.edinburghkorfball.co.uk   Booking: Email us - Free

Friday 14 March from 6pm
'Thank goodness it's Friday!' drinks
Venue: 99 Hanover Street at 99 Hanover Street
Celebrate the start of the weekend! Always relaxed and friendly - great way to meet lots of other members. Between 30 and 60 people usually attend. Pop in straight from work or come later. I will be there until 9pm. Booking: Just turn up

Sunday 16 March 1pm
Mexican brunch
Venue: La Cantina, 72 Commercial Street, Leith, Edinburgh
Mexican fun on a Sunday. 

Other things to book ahead for...

Saturday 22 March 10am
Mountain biking in The Pentlands
Meeting Point: Flotterstone Inn car park
Milton Bridge (A702 Biggar Road, near Penicuik) EH26

Don will be leading an exhilarating ride in the Pentlands. The ride will take approximately 2.5 hours. Suitable for anyone of average fitness - it's uphill at the start but not too steep. This will be followed by a late lunch in the Flotterstone Inn which does good food and has the perfect setting for post ride relaxation. You'll need to have, hire or borrow a mountain bike or similar for this ride.

Saturday 22 March 7pm
Race Night organised by Edinburgh Korfball
Venue: Murrayfield Bar 57-59 Roseburn Terrace Map
Race Nights are great fun with chances to win money and prizes.  Eight pre-recorded horse races will be shown on the big screen and all you do is bet on one (or more) of the eight horses in each race. It is a game of chance rather than a game of skill – no form books required!  You can buy a horse in advance for £5. If your horse wins you get a prize. Let me know if you'd like to buy a horse and what you'd like your horse to be called.

Saturday 29 March 11.30am
Aerial Assault
Venue: Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, Ratho, South Platt Hill, Newbridge, Edinburgh EH28 8AA

The Aerial Assault Course is the ultimate adrenaline rush, as you negotiate obstacles while suspended 100ft from the ground. It takes approximately 40 minutes to complete the course. Looking forward to this one!
Booking: Email us

Saturday 29 March - 7 for 7.30pm
Bring a friend dinner
Venue: The Borough Hotel, 72-80 Causewayside
Our popular series of dinners
- relaxed atmosphere
- wonderful restaurants and fabulous food
- 3 courses and coffee included
- equal numbers of men and women
- great fun and excellent value
Booking: Email us

Sunday 30 March 10.45 for 11am
Nordic Walking at Arthur's Seat
Meeting point: Cafe at Commonwealth Pool

Nordic walking is huge in Europe and it's becoming popular in the UK too. Originally developed in Finland by cross-country skiers who wanted to stay in shape over the summer. It's a terrific low-impact activity which helps you burn 20-40% more energy through the gentle upper body workout as you walk with the poles. The session will include explanation and demonstration of the technique and some walking time. The whole session will take between 1.5 and 2 hours depending on the speed of the group.  Average fitness is all that's required. Trainers or outdoor shoes with flexible soles are better than boots and remember weather appropriate clothing.  Booking: Email us

Ceilidh dates for your diaries
We're organising two charity ceilidhs at St Bride's Centre:
Saturday 3 May and Saturday 7 June.

Badminton news
Badminton has been very popular and we're delighted to say we've just secured a bigger and better venue. From Monday 7 April we'll be playing at George Watson's (Colinton Road) 7-9pm map with 4 courts for our exclusive use.
Booking: Email us - £5

5aside and tennis
If you want to play 5aside or tennis just email us. Great for fun and fitness.

The week that was...

I hear Rollerblading on Saturday at Silverknowes was fabulous in spite of the wind. If you missed it this time we'll be back on the blades on Saturday 5 April 10am and I'll be dusting my wheels off to join in.  It exhilarating being out at the coast and a great hangover cure.  Booking: Email us - £10


Weekender Drinks at Whighams on Saturday was wonderful I'm told. 45 people attended and a good time was had by all

David Gray was magnificent and Midsummer Night's Dream was well dreamy.  Sadly I had to miss the show due to post-ski exhaustion and the throbbing pain of an off-piste injury (some might say less off-piste and more on-pavement).  

Deuchie Dod & Pressmennan Lake Walk (East Lothian)

How do I join?
If you want to get in the act and join the club that everyone's talking about. Simply go to our joining page complete our short online membership form and pay online. We have Annual Membership for £75 fantastic value at just £6.25 per month and 3 Month Trial Membership at £37.50. We'll then send you the login details for the members area so you can dive into all our activities and events.

Have a lovely week!

Stephanie