BBQ at Glen P's place
21 April 2007

It didn't look good on Wednesday before the BBQ - only eight people had registered with Barrie. We kept our hopes up and were rewarded with 15 members coming on the night; unfortunately just a third of our membership.

Glen (our host for this evening) had provided dips, corn chips and rice crackers and from 7pm on people arrived on their own or in small groups. Various salads (lettuce, beans, coleslaw) and two cakes ("Armenian Nutmeg" and "Irish Coffee") were arranged on a small table in the kitchen, Glen's small BBQ was extended by two small electric ones. From 7.30 on marinated chicken wings started sizzling on the patio, shortly afterwards followed by Australian and delicious Italian sausages and steaks.

Inside the house small groups formed, dissolved, reformed and the air was filled with excited chatter and the clinking of glasses. Many had brought wine and soft drinks and nobody had to suffer from a dry throat.

People went through some 150 photos taken at the Terry Stocker Memorial Tennis Day on March 11 and many were surprised by the way they were caught on camera - some naughty, some innocent, some relaxed, players exhausted after fierce battles on the courts at hot temperatures (results and some snap shots can be found on this website).

Mouth watering smells from the BBQ wafted through the air and the rattling of plates and cutlery made it clear to the two rôtisseurs that a hungry crowd was waiting to be fed. Around 8 o'clock large plates with chicken, sausages and meat went into the kitchen, only to disappear in next to no time on plates, accompanied by salads and French bread.

People sat wherever they could find a chair and a table and munched away on the goodies provided. The fact that we had no left overs proves not only the quality of the food, but also the healthy appetite of our members.

Thanks to a dish washer, dirty plates and cutlery disappeared miraculously and the tables were cleared for desert. Both cakes (none of them would have qualified for the "Heart Foundation Tick") were met with enthusiastic approval.

Satisfied and probably a bit sedated by the wine conversations calmed down, photos from the Terry Stocker Memorial Tennis Day were ordered, pictures taken and some guests leafed through the "selected" magazines on Glen's coffee table.

Around 10 o'clock, people started leaving, some going home, some going out. Being an excellent host to the last minute Glen hugged the departing guests and everybody got his share of warm affection - the best recipe to battle a cold night. At 10.30 Glen had his house to himself again.

A big thank you to Glen for his hospitality and to all members of LYCC who made this evening possible and a success. We are all looking forward to the next functions in May and June (Yum Cha at Deakin/Croatia Soccer Club on Sunday 20 May 2007 and Queen's Birthday long weekend (9 to 11 June) - more information will soon be available on this website). LYCC will participate in the local G&L community's Do-Dah-Day. You don't know what Do-Dah-Day is? Join ACTQueer at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/actqueer/, find message 12269, read and be amazed.

Make sure you come back to this website for updates on what is happening at Long Yang Club Canberra!

[WS]