Lads' night out

Since we moved, "the girls" (i.e. wives and partners of the neighbours) have had three or four girlie nights out. After each one of these is organised, "the lads" mutter about "having to do something" to arrange a lads' night out. "How hard can it be?" we all say. "Just need to set a date," we agree. And then we go home, close our doors, and forget about it until the next girls' night.

So last Friday, at another neighbours' event (the combined "80th" birthday party for the lads at the end), we finally harumphed our way to an agreed place, date and time. Pool night at the local snooker club. We had eight takers, which made a perfect set of doubles over two tables.

That is, until one guy realised he's going away tomorrow and has loads to do before that, so he cried off. And another guy couldn't persuade his missus to forgo her bingo night just once. And a third guy decided he was actually busy until after 9, but he'd come along later. Only of course he never did.

Which left 5 of us. It still worked though, one of us dropping out in turn from a game, therefore playing 4 games out of 5. And the rates are good too - £12.50 to stay on a table all night (which by the time we arrived meant 8-midnight). And the beer is good. And the company was even better. We had a really good time and will definitely be doing again, I'd say.

It was noticeable though, that at the end of the pool we all went home. When the women go out, they tend to congregate back at a house and carry on gassing and drinking until the early hours. We need to pick a non-weekday night next time, methinks.