So Im back after the longest ever visa run. Stupidly I thought that it would be easy to leave, obtain another visa and come back...3 weeks later I was still sitting in London, longing for Lagos. Yes its true, I think Ive got a soft spot for the city, perhaps because of my new found friends from the British Women's Club. I met the BWC Ladies at their monthly meeting at the Kingfisher Club - a hidden gem of a place with swimming pool, tennis courts, poolside bar...but did the BWC lounge about, enjoying the facilities? Hell no, us ladies got down to serious business.
The meeting started with tea and biscuits, with around 30 ladies forming an orderly queue by the tea urn. I took the time to survey the room. Its fair to say most ladies were on the mature side, (a few on the larger side), and a few were sporting the much loved long skirt/ Jesus sandal combo. I did a double take, swearing Id spotted Pauline Quirk amongst the crowd. I introduced myself to the lady in front of me in the line, a warm lady called Pat, who immediately invited me to craft morning at her house (every Thursday). The ladies, I understood were working on a mammoth cross stitch table cloth, which would be auctioned at the next charity bazaar. I scarcley had time to convey my enthusiasm, as we were asked to take our seats at one of the many coffee tables arranged around the room. The meeting was called to order, with the Club President welcoming us all to the meeting, and asking us newcomers if we had filled out a membership form. I looked down at the paper which had been handed to me as Id entered the club. It seemed pretty straightforward...name, address...interests...I scanned down the tickboxes. What to select? Bridge? Embroidery? Reading? (Sadly no "drinking" box listed)...so settled with the "Arts & Crafts" option.
Looking up, I saw that announcements had started. A tall, rather elegant lady stood up and announced that a few second hand clothes were still available for sale, proceeds going to the local hospital. I glanced over at the ensemble of Laura Ashley inspired clothes she had brought, draped over the back of the chairs. Mum would have been in her element. Next, a spectacled lady stood up to showcase her shoe bags which she had hand embroidered, and was selling for a bargain price. What does one even do with shoe bags? A lady on the next table then stood up to tell us about her handpainted watercolour postcards, and finally, just when I thought I had stumbled into an episode of "Flog it!", Pat, my friend from the coffee queue announced that she needed fabric donations for the women's African quilt, which the craft group would be starting work on from the following week. Sadly, as Im working full time, I wont be able to join Pat's group. But Ill be honest, I am tempted (If anyone remembers my attempt at a sock monkey, youll agree, I do rather have a talent for sewing). Would it be really sad for me to use my holiday to attend the group once a week? Most probably...but Im going to do it anyway!
The meeting started with tea and biscuits, with around 30 ladies forming an orderly queue by the tea urn. I took the time to survey the room. Its fair to say most ladies were on the mature side, (a few on the larger side), and a few were sporting the much loved long skirt/ Jesus sandal combo. I did a double take, swearing Id spotted Pauline Quirk amongst the crowd. I introduced myself to the lady in front of me in the line, a warm lady called Pat, who immediately invited me to craft morning at her house (every Thursday). The ladies, I understood were working on a mammoth cross stitch table cloth, which would be auctioned at the next charity bazaar. I scarcley had time to convey my enthusiasm, as we were asked to take our seats at one of the many coffee tables arranged around the room. The meeting was called to order, with the Club President welcoming us all to the meeting, and asking us newcomers if we had filled out a membership form. I looked down at the paper which had been handed to me as Id entered the club. It seemed pretty straightforward...name, address...interests...I scanned down the tickboxes. What to select? Bridge? Embroidery? Reading? (Sadly no "drinking" box listed)...so settled with the "Arts & Crafts" option.
Looking up, I saw that announcements had started. A tall, rather elegant lady stood up and announced that a few second hand clothes were still available for sale, proceeds going to the local hospital. I glanced over at the ensemble of Laura Ashley inspired clothes she had brought, draped over the back of the chairs. Mum would have been in her element. Next, a spectacled lady stood up to showcase her shoe bags which she had hand embroidered, and was selling for a bargain price. What does one even do with shoe bags? A lady on the next table then stood up to tell us about her handpainted watercolour postcards, and finally, just when I thought I had stumbled into an episode of "Flog it!", Pat, my friend from the coffee queue announced that she needed fabric donations for the women's African quilt, which the craft group would be starting work on from the following week. Sadly, as Im working full time, I wont be able to join Pat's group. But Ill be honest, I am tempted (If anyone remembers my attempt at a sock monkey, youll agree, I do rather have a talent for sewing). Would it be really sad for me to use my holiday to attend the group once a week? Most probably...but Im going to do it anyway!
