Category Archives: Next Meeting

Next Meeting, 28th July 2026

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 14^th July 2026 at the Horse and Jockey Pub. As usual, we will start playing shorter games from 7.30pm as people arrive, until 8pm when we will start something a little longer. The pub is doing food, so those that are eating will be arriving from around 6.45pm.

This week, the “Feature Game” will be Hot Streak, a wonderfully over-produced car racing game (rules, review, how-to-play video). This is a betting game where players are gambling on mascots who may (or may not) keep running in the right direction…

– Image by BGG contributor The Innocent

And speaking of bets…

Jeff put a bet on a horse because he was told it had excellent breeding.

After the horse left the starting gate, he stopped and closed it behind him.

Next Meeting, 14th July 2026

This week, the “Feature Game” will be Rebel Princess, a trick-taking game played over five rounds where each round has a special rule that makes each one feel different (rules, review, how-to-play video).

– Image by BGG contributor melaniebarr

And speaking of tricks…

Jeff walked on to a rooftop bar and as he sat down asked of the guy already there, “What’s the best drink in this place?”

The other chap who had been minding his own business, looked at him, and then replied, “Well, I’m drinking this magical cocktail.”

Jeff looked interested, “What’s so magical about it?” he asked.

“This,” came the answer as the guy stepped over to the edge of the rooftop and started to fly.

Jeff was thrilled and amazed, so grabbed the drink that was still sitting on the bar, took a large swig then took a run off the edge of the roof, before plummeting into the swimming pool below.

The barman sadly shook his head and said, “You know, you’re a real jerk when you’re drunk, Superman…”

Next Meeting, 30th June 2026

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 30^th June 2026 at the Horse and Jockey Pub. As usual, we will start playing shorter games from 7.30pm as people arrive, until 8pm when we will start something a little longer. The pub is doing food, so those that are eating will be arriving from around 6.45pm.

This week, the “Feature Game” will be Circadia a set collecting game where players collect Spirit Creatures to give harmonious gatherings and restore their connection to their Habitats (rules, review, how-to-play video).

– Image from imaginaire.com

And speaking of spirits…

Jeff had been experimenting with distilling and was of the opinion that his peach brandy was really rather fine. So, when the local vicar called round one afternoon, he saw it is as an opportunity to show it off. Now Jeff wasn’t what you would call a regular attendee on a Sunday morning, but he agreed he would attend the church if the vicar would drink some of his brandy and admit doing so in front of his congregation. The congregation was a small one, so the preacher readily agreed.

Sunday morning came and Jeff was sat in church when the vicar made his announcement. “I see Jeff is here with us this morning. I would like to thank him publicly for his hospitality this week and especially for the peaches he gave me and the spirit in which they were given.”

Next Meeting, 16th June 2026

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 16^th June 2026 at the Horse and Jockey Pub. As usual, we will start playing shorter games from 7.30pm as people arrive, until 8pm when we will start something a little longer. The pub is doing food, so those that are eating will be arriving from around 6.45pm.

This week, the “Feature Game” will be dnup (rules, review, how-to-play video), which is a short card shedding game, that uses the same “double-number cards” idea as SCOUT.

– Image from frogames.it

And speaking of cards…

Jeff put an advert in the corner-shop window:

Yesterday, while walking round the village, my elderly father lost his favorite playing cards. I think there were about fifty-two of them, all with a picture of someone riding a bicycle on one sideand different things, letters and numbers on the other. Some had some pictures of some kings, queens and other people on them, and there were red hearts on at least a few of them and some funny looking little black flowers on others.

Anyway, if you’ve found them, I would be most grateful if you could return them as my father is finding it very difficult to deal without them…

Next Meeting, 2nd June 2026

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 2^nd June 2026 at the Horse and Jockey Pub. As usual, we will start playing shorter games from 7.30pm as people arrive, until 8pm when we will start something a little longer. The pub is doing food, so those that are eating will be arriving from around 6.45pm.

This week, the “Feature Game” will be “Sharkspan” (better known as the Sharks and Reefs expansion for Finspan; base game rules, expansion rules, expansion review). “Sharkspan” adds lots more cards and, in particular Shark cards, as well as a new scoring mechanism around the addition of reefs. This is in addition to showing off the new acquisitions from UK Games Expo, of course…!

– Image by stonemaiergames.com,
adapted by boardGOATS

And speaking of sharks…

Joe had been feeling a bit down, and mentioned this to Jeff one evening at The Jockey over a pint. “You know what your problem is,” said Jeff, “You aren’t getting enough exercise.”

He went on, “I was feeling like you, but then I took up triathlon, and now I feel much more positive. In fact, I’m planning to take part in a big race on the Western coast of Australia soon.”

Joe was impressed. “That’s great – Australia sounds amazing, but aren’t you worried about sharks? Didn’t a bloke die swimming there a few weeks ago?”

Jeff nodded, “It is a worry.” He paused, then went on, “But the way I see it is that a shark could swim faster than me, but I could probably run faster than a shark. So in a triathlon, it would be all come down to who is the better cyclist…”

Next Meeting, 19th May 2026

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 19^th May 2026 at the Horse and Jockey Pub. As usual, we will start playing shorter games from 7.30pm as people arrive, until 8pm when we will start something a little longer. The pub is doing food, so those that are eating will be arriving from around 6.45pm.

Since we didn’t play it last time, this week, the “Feature Game” will be Pinched!, a set collecting, scheming and bluffing game where players are “Wealth Redistributors” (also known as Burglars; review & video tutorial). In this game, players take it in turns to be the Mastermind and plan a heist on one of the Mansions, with other players trying to muscle in on the action and come away with some swag.

– Image adapted by boardGOATS

And speaking of burglars…

Jeff was continuing his life of crime and had broken into a large house when he heard a voice, “Jesus is watching you.”

He dismissed it as paranoia and carried on rifling the cupboards when he heard the voice again, “Jesus is watching you.”

This time, Jeff knew it wasn’t in his head so he looked round the room and saw a parrot in the corner. He walked over to the parrot, and again it repeated, “Jesus is watching you.”

Jeff asked the parrot, “Is your name Jesus?”

“No, it’s Moses,” the parrot replied.

Jeff laughed and said, “Who on earth names a parrot Moses?”

The parrot answered, “The same person who named the Rottweiler Jesus…”

Next Meeting, 5th May 2026

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 5^th May 2026 at the Horse and Jockey Pub. As usual, we will start playing shorter games from 7.30pm as people arrive, until 8pm when we will start something a little longer. The pub is doing food, so those that are eating will be arriving from around 6.45pm.

This week, the “Feature Game” will be Pinched!, a set collecting, scheming and bluffing game where players are “Wealth Redistributors” (also known as Burglars; review & video tutorial). In this game, players take it in turns to be the Mastermind and plan a heist on one of the Mansions, with other players trying to muscle in on the action and come away with some swag.

– Image adapted by boardGOATS

And speaking of burglars…

The cost of living crisis had left Jeff and Joe short, so much so, that they had resorted to robbery. One night, well actually, in the early hours of one morning, they had donned masks and broken into an off-license. They were not trying for cash (and would have been unsuccessful anyhow as the takings had been taken away), they just fancied a little drop of something to keep them warm at night.

Squinting in the dark, Joe turned to Jeff and asked, “Is this whisky?”

Jeff replied, “Yeah, but not as wisky as wobbing a bank…”

Next Meeting, 21st April 2026

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 21^st April 2026 at the Horse and Jockey Pub. As usual, we will start playing shorter games from 7.30pm as people arrive, until 8pm when we will start something a little longer. The pub is doing food, so those that are eating will be arriving from around 6.45pm.

This week, the “Feature Game” will be the Magic Tower expansion to Die Wandelnden Türme (aka The Wandering Towers), a light game that is very popular within the group. This expansion consists of five expansion modules, which can be combined arbitrarily (base game rules; base game review; expansion rules; expansion video review). In this game, the graduating class of the Ravenrealm Magic School compete to demonstrate their mastery of magic by travelling to the legendary Ravenskeep.

– Image by boardGOATS

And speaking of magic schools…

Jeff had got himself a place at Hogwarts and the sorting hat had put him in Hufflepuff. While out on a broom with a Gryffindor and a Ravenclaw one day, a magic wind took them and left them stranded in a desert.

While trying to work out what to do, they stumbled upon a dusty old lamp. The Grifindor picked it up and gave it a little rub with the sleeve of her robes. Almost instantly, a genie popped out and said he would grant them each one wish.

The Gryffindor said, “I really wish I was back at Hogwarts,” and in a puff of smoke, she was gone. The Ravenclaw then added, “And I wish I was back home with my family,” then she disappeared too. Jeff sadly said, “Aww man, I’m so lonely now, I wish my friends were still here…”

Next Meeting, 7th April 2026

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 7^th April 2026 at the Horse and Jockey Pub. As usual, we will start playing shorter games from 7.30pm as people arrive, until 8pm when we will start something a little longer. The pub is doing food, so those that are eating will be arriving from around 6.45pm.

This week, the “Feature Game” will be Igel Ärgern, which roughly translates as “harassing hedgehogs” (rules; video review and tutorial). It is an older racing game in which, similar to Turf Horse Racing, players move any pieces, though rather than betting on the winner, players use other players’ prickly critters to obstruct, annoy, and generally harass their opposition.

– Image by boardGOATS

And speaking of prickles…

Two toothpicks were strolling through the forest and spot a hedgehog. “Oh,” said one of the toothpicks, “I didn’t know there was a bus…”

Next Meeting, 24th March 2026

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 24^th March 2026 at the Horse and Jockey Pub. As usual, we will start playing shorter games from 7.30pm as people arrive, until 8pm when we will start something a little longer. The pub is doing food, so those that are eating will be arriving from around 6.30pm.

This week, the “Feature Game” will be SCENERY, which is a tableau building, tile laying game where players are creating hiking routes through a hexagonal landscape with tiles of varying altitudes (rules). The game is by the same designer as Nova Luna, Habitats, Powerships and Waddle, Corné van Moorsel.

– Image from kickstarter.com

And speaking of hiking…

Jeff was planning a trip in the northern Cascades and he was really hoping his friend Joe would go along.

“Sounds great, but I’m not sure I can afford it, or even get the time off work,” said Joe sadly.

“That’s a shame, I had some hikes planned and really wanted you to come along,” answered Jeff.

“It sounds a lovely idea—I’m sure you could find someone else to go with you though.” replied Joe.

“Oh, but I really wanted YOU to go,” Jeff went on.

“Well, I’d love to, I mean, we always have so much fun when we are out and about, don’t we!” added Joe.

“Well, yes we do, but it’s not that,” Jeff explained, “I read that you should always go hiking with someone in worse shape than yourself—there are bears out there…”