Following a management committee meeting on the afternoon of the 7th preparations for Saturday night started. The room was cleared and tables and chairs were laid out. On Friday Jean H, Diana C, Sarah J and Diana H started the food prep in the club's galley. They also laid up the tables and decorated the clubroom.

By 7:30pm on Saturday the clubhouse was heaving. 40 people had booked and a few even tried to dress the part, although I think there was only one gent in a genuine Liederhausen.

Peter C and Mike H manned the bar which was stocked with a variety of German Oktoberfest beers which seemed to be much appreciated by our Dutch and South African friends, many of whom had brought their own steins.

The first course consisted of Pate, bread, salad and paprika cheese with large chunky pretzels. This was followed by the main course of slow roast pork with fennel, braised sauerkraut with apple, boiled potatoes, green beans and carrots. This was served with a delicious gravy, which I’d dearly like to get the recipe for. The dessert was apple kuchen (a bit like apple strudel) and plum and almond tart, all served with cream. I have to say it was all delicious.

Wout then ran a quiz with a definite Oktoberfest theme. 29 questions, some easy, others not so. Our table managed to get 26 right and were declared the winners. Next a number of games were played. Several gentleman were challenged to hold a stein filled with water at arm’s length for as long as they could. Spillage of course was inevitable. We had an alpenhorn recital by some of the boys led by Alistair Gray (who had made them all). This was followed by a drinking contest using the club's “yard of ale” which usually hangs in the bar. Wout’s son Alex started and got halfway through but one of the girls finished, even managing the tricky bulb at the end! Finally a number of apples were hung from a frame and contestants invited to eat one with their hands behind their backs. A variation on apple bobbing.

I have to say that from start to finish this year’s Oktoberfest at AQSC was a great success. Many thanks to the catering team, to Wout for organising the quiz and the games. A final thanks to the team of Stuart S, John L and Dudley W who arrived early on Sunday morning to assist Diana and Pete clear up and put the club back to rights.

Mike Baker