This year's Christmas dinner was held at "Harman"in the Holloway Road, an excellent Turkish Restaurant in Archway. This is born out by some of the reviews - for instance:

"I have no idea why this restaurant isn't busy all day. The food is delicious, the prices are low, the service is good and the place is clean. I've been here a handful of times over the past year and a half and have never had a poor meal."

Unfortunately they are better at serving food than building web sites - which I suppose is how it should be but at the time of writing their web site is still under construction but they have been given good write ups in the restaurant guides

This years celebrations were aided by a Silly Santa interlude, where Chief Instructor Don Spargo invited those present to take a lucky dip into Santa's Sack and see what they came up with. Some gifts were a little inappropriate such as the hair wrap for David who is totally bald. Other members were truly overwhelmed with their gift like John who was completely smitten with his ice-scraper mitten.

The meal was much enjoyed by everyone and all agreed that it has been a good year's Tai Chi Chuan at the academy and all were looking forward to 2012. As in previous years the meal was free, paid for out of Academy profits, in line with our 'not for profit' status.

Some were simply puzzled -

Some were delighted -

Others were confused -

.... and some were just in the dark!

The Academy Christmas Dinner this year was held at "The Fortuna" Chinese Restaurant on Highgate Hill on December 10th. As usual the meal was free, paid for out of Academy profits, in line with our 'not for profit' status. Unfortunately not all members were able to attend due other commitments, but those who did had an enjoyable time.

The meal was a buffet style Chinese banquet that allowed for plenty of 'seconds' or 'thirds' in some cases. The restaurant owners encouraged us to take away any left over food, since it would only be thrown away, so a number of the members collected lunch for the following day as well!.

A similar event is proposed for the Chinese New year - the year of The Rabbit - on February 3rd.