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A Wine and Food Tasting Afternoon 1 - Marilyn prepares the food

Gary who has been 'getting into' wine for some time by attending wine-tasting evening classes, suggested we might attempt to organise a Mensa wine-tasting event. Marilyn, ever enthusiastic to create food for an occasion, was certainly willing to join in the plans.

A Wine and Food Tasting Afternoon 2 - The tasters

Gary went to see wine merchant David Lawson of Chez Vin in Otley (those of you that know the area north of Leeds will no doubt spot the link between the name of this wine shop and the local landscape) to decide which wines we'd be featuring. David suggested which particular foods would 'go' with these wines. We had already decided on finger-food, because our meeting was to be at 4pm on a Sunday afternoon in late October. We wanted people to experience some new food tastes as well as the wine.

Some members got together to take a break from the British winter in Tenerife

Hardy Mensans set off in the snow for the Christmas Day walk

Leeds and Bradford members take over the Symposium wine bar in Idle for their Christmas Dinner

Channel Islands Weekend

Marilyn's BBQ

On one of the coldest and wettest June days ever, hardy members don thermals and fleeces to gather in Tricia's garden for a BBQ.

Local members entertain visiting Spanish Mensans in traditional manner.

Games Weekend in Leeds

We had more than 30 Mensans enjoying everything from a Bridge Pairs Tournament to a Beetle Drive over 48 hectic hours. We also enjoyed learning Settlers, Mah Jongg and an interesting variant of Poker which involved getting the lowest hand possible!

We were filmed by a trainee crew from Leeds University for their assignment, and had a very enjoyable meal at Dinos Italian restaurant on our one foray out of the hotel.

Everybody had a great time, and we intend to do it again next year, possibly in Blackpool. if anyone is willing to suggest either a venue or games to learn or play tournaments in, please email me at supersuestead@ntlworld.com as soon as possible.