Photos from the weekend taken by Iain Scott can be found by clicking here.
We came1, we saw2, we drank3, we slept4, we woke5, we ate6, we rang7, we ate some more8, we drank some more9, we rang some more10, we met in the pub for the AGM11, we elected12, we clapped13, we changed14, we met at the hotel15, we sat16, we ate again17, we drank again18, we listened19, we clapped again20, we danced21, we drank even more22, we left23, we slept24, we ate again25, we drank coffee26, we cursed27, we drove home28. We thanked James for organising the tour29.
Post-script: I apologise to all for the lateness of this tour report30!
- Ross Hartley31
1 The incumbent of the post of social secretary this year (2007-8), James Mort, decided that the AGM Dinner Tour be held in the Lincolnshire town of Peterborough, on a decidedly chilly February weekend.
2 The pub next door to James’ parents (hall substitutes). Arriving at 8pm-ish, the WC presence was slightly smaller than normal, evenly distributed around one table. Numbers eventually swelled to such a high density that a second table was required. Ale and G&Ts were popular, I seem to recall.
3 See 2
4 In beds/on floors/sofas at Mr. and Mrs. Mort’s house (a short jump over the pub fence) and in various travel lodges in the immediate area.
5 To a micro-managed bathroom usage schedule to ensure the three-breakfast sittings were slotted in before 8.30am. No doubt the local travel lodges were less militant!
6 Detestable forerunners of oil magnate engaged in racket (7)
7 Can’t remember.
8 See 7
9 Probably real ale.
10 On bells. At Peterborough Cathedral
11 Good location.
12 Democratically, without bias and purely on merit.
13 A bit rude not to, really…
14 Our normal weekend clothes, typically T-shirt/shirt and jeans, gave way to dresses and tuxedos for the evening’s Dinner.
15 The Bull Hotel in the centre of Peterborough. The car park was very tight, but the décor and ambience made up for this. Chris and Paul were late for dinner because they were drinking for free in the Mundy’s room whilst Kaye dressed James and Charlotte.
16 Formal term for ‘sitting down and preparing to receive dinner.’
17 A three-course meal in the traditional WCs manner. A round of ‘Drink Wine with the Master’ was instigated, as well as a sweepstake on the length of the Master’s Speech.
18 From a very expensive bar/hip-flasks/lunchtime carry-outs from the pub discretely hidden under the table/from the person sitting next to you (delete as appropriate)
19 To a guest speaker, amongst others. This was Steve Sudbury, who gave an excellent presentation on his walk with the Master along the great wall of China.
20 Again, there would have been an awkward silence if we hadn’t
21 A) Line-dancing B) Disco C) Barn-Dance? I’ll go with C)
22 More volume than at 18
23 In cars and taxis. It was cold.
24 Because of 21 and 22
25 Yet another superb breakfast courtesy of the Morts.
26 In Starbucks in Peterborough after service ringing.
27 Well, Sue did: her car got clamped at the hotel…
28 To save walking. Plus someone had to carry the Burco as well – much easier in a car.
29 Well done.
30 I forgot about it. Sorry.
31 The author.