Michael Palaeologus

How about next Tuesday?

Sounds good to me.

Next week Karter-ji

"Banks's Moild" thank you, Southern Bourgeoisie. Black and Tan Guiness and Vimto and a bag of Walkers Ready Salted (before the foil packets) or Pork Scratchings (in clear, plastic, label-less bags) Sunday lunch at Hawkins Colliery Working Mans Club, Cheslyn Hay. The deafening clatter of dominos on plastic table tops, a fug of Woodbine and pipe smoke, pints of Banks's Moild in dimpled pint mugs, a bottle of vimto and a packet of Walkers. Two bob for the bandit. My youth. At least for three seasons of the year. Crown green bowls was the summer game.

Next Wednesday? Are we venturing outre-mer or staying at home?

Nice one Dulwichfox, with one crafty opening post you have exposed the Forum's strengths and weaknesses. You are most welcome.

OK - anybody got a preference for the week after?

Not forgetting the awarding of Barriet the Bear for the Fillies race.

So Wednesday it is then! So far Hibbs, the Cat-Onions and me. Anybody else?

Tayyabs takes table bookings - so no need to queue as long as I get a firm idea of numbers. What days next week are good for people?

So - would people be up for a trip to the East of London? Meet over there after work and easier to get back with the Overground service to Forest Hill.

Anybody? Anybody? Beulah?

Do we know whether assaults have increased year on year? Are Gangs a new threat or have they actually been around for centuries. Maybe for previous generations life was always nasty brutish and short. Violence being found in every century and being perceived as being "new" Peter Ackroyd's "London The Biography" paints a picture of a constant recycling of London's problems whether its dust, noise, fire, horse poo or violence. Maybe we have done with horse poo; but the violence remains. It was ever thus.

I have Ladymuck. They were security etched some years ago with my name "Raymond Bannister" - might be a tad worn by now. Can I pop round and collect?

Could have been a special. Military or Governmental flight. They get dispensations.

Good spot Sean. As you say, the Horniman Gardens did have a special feel, but the event seems to be suffering from its own success. An early arrival is to be recommended as the Cook Off gets very busy later on in the afternoon. Hopefully we will get the dates confirmed asap.

Any news re the Jerk Chicken Cook Off this year? The Horniman Museum website doesnt mention it.

I was at "The Wedge" in 1916, the second "Wedge" if you remember. The first "Wedge" was a damp squib, the Hun declined to engage and the troops had to withdraw swiftly lest they find themselves spent prematurely. The second "Wedge" was a far more robust affair. *Pass the decanter Ginger, I need a stiffener*

I am now to Peckham and shall buy one or two of the nice ones from the High Street - they will go nicely with some strawbs and a little Greek Yoghurt.

Mango - love it, especially with strawberries in a fruit salad.

I remember the Free-Lancers. They fought with great valour in the Crimea campaign suffering heavy casualties at Balaclava, from whence they adopted their distinctive head-gear. Their most revered leader was Lord Cardigan, whose legacy was seen in their pale red woollen jackets. An early battle in the Indian mutiny saw the Free-Lancers pitched against the Heavy Horse of the Maharaja of Baluchistan, the battle was hard won and there was much respect felt for the masterful Baluchi horsemen, resplendent in their short leather kilts; a form of dress adopted by the Regiment in their honour. The Boer War saw this fine band of men on the Veldt, seeking out the crafty Boer who's ability to blend into the country-side was renown. The Boer wore robust sandals, with a distinctively silenced heel that enabled them to creep, cat like through the acachia bushes to deliver a more effective ambush. These useful items of foot-wear were also added to the Free-lancers wardrobe. The Free-lancers last campaign was in the Dardanelles, where their task was to provide protection and recce for a unit of Australian Artillery who were armed with the general purpose, breech loading, 5 inch howitzer. During one attack by the savage Turk, the Free-Lancers found themselves in great danger of being captured en-masse and suffering the horrors of Turkish captivity. The Australian Artillery provided themselves formidable allies and with great accurancy brough heavy fire upon the Free-Lancers positions, enmeshed as they were in hand to hand fighting.This brought brought terror to the enemy, but such was the accuracy of fire, no Free-Lancer was killed. As chance would have it, shortly after these brave units of men were visited by King George, who was publically addressed by the Free-Lancers C in C. Standing proud in his Regimental kitten heeled sling backs, his short leather skirt, pink cardigan and balaclava, the Colonel stated that his men were most grateful for the support of their antipodean comrades and that "He would only ever wish to be serviced by an Australian dual purpose 5 incher". The next day the Regiment was disbanded.

david_carnell Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I would imagine you dark, swarthy sorts would be > familiar with the Greek Aetolian League and their > capital city. > > Is the family from there Michael? Or is it > ??????? > > Hmmm? Sounds foreign to me! > > Now, where is Cribbens and that G&T I ordered? Έξυπνο Arse

Steady chaps, steady. "Thermos" - isnt that a foreign name? Sounds like it to me. I am not going to place my warming beverage in a flask designed by Johny Foreigner. Its Empire Made for me. Michael Palaeologus Esq

Now steady on chaps, this thread seems to have drifted into pornographic descriptions of scantilly clad young fillies of the type seen in the Parisien post cards that my Uncle used to collect, before his miss-understanding with the Peelers and subsequent one way trip to Australia. It is rather warm at the moment, but I must warn gentlemen of the undoing of collar studs or the removal of jackets. Such behaviour is unseemly and would see one rusticated by the Army and Navy Club; it may be acceptable to the new fangled Royal Air Force Club, but that I feel, proves my point. Ladies of breeding will by now have retired to the cooler climes the lower slopes of the Himalaya, being cooled by the fanning of a Punker Wallah. Gentlemen - keep calm and carry on.

Bit like a pork scratching then. I always feel like a pork scratching a few days after leaving the Black Country.