Thirty fours Social Friends members had a brilliant evening on the Chiltern Countess barge with Grebe Canal Cruises. It was a perfect warm evening for the trip from Cheddington up to Marsworth.

As the barge set off at 6.30pm up the canal towards Marsworth, DJ Henry kept the group entertained with soul, reggae and pop from the 60's to present. He also got the residents of moored boats and the evening walkers on the tow path involved with lots of people including children dancing along with the group.    

When the boat reached the 4th lock, the fish and chips arrived from a nearby shop and everyone tucked in.  With dinner over and the barge through its final lock, the group were allowed to disembark to stretch their legs while the barge was turned around at the widest point in the canal.  Some members returned to the boat to carry on dancing while others took an evening stroll back down to the Bluebells Tearooms at Wilstone reservoirs before boarding the barge again. As dusk fell the revelling continued all the way back to Cheddington. It was a wonderful evening made all the more special by the friendliness of the crew and DJ Henry getting everyone on the canal that evening involved.  For more information on how you can join Social Friends please call us on 07542 113683 or email  socialfriendshemel@gmail.com

Twelve Social Friends members met under the St Pancras station clock at 11am for a weekend in Paris.

With time to muster, distribute tickets, and partake of a little livener the departure lounge was far less hassle than any airport. The Euro coach had nice comfy chairs, larger than airline seats to settle into. Very soon the train was whizzing through Kent, under the QEII Bridge and through the tunnel. 

Arriving at Gare du Nord, the group set off for their hotel. It was only a short walk to the luxurious Hotel Amiot which was just across the street from the Gare de L’Est station.

The group had a pleasant evening walk towards the Seine, down the Boulevard de Servastapol and eventually found a nice, reasonably priced restaurant for an evening meal. They then continued their walk until reaching the river. Some of the group did not go as they had booked an evening river boat meal, which they later described as fantastic. 

It was nice and cool by the river, going across the Pont Neuf bridge and walking along to the flower market (by this time closed). After recrossing the Seine at the Notre Dame bridge back up Rue du St Martin, passing the Pompidou centre. Eventually the group arrived back at the hotel, and opted for a not so 'swift one' in the Piano Bar opposite, where there was merry banter while a man tickles the ivories of a small and tinny baby grand which was almost in the front window.

If you would be interested in holidays like this with our group, give us a call on 07542 113683 or click here to email.