Up on the Catwalk
It's hard to believe how time flies but it was the autumn MEMWNS fashion display at the Spiritual Home again last night. This meant moving indoors from the Epiphany Field to the Green Room.
As usual, it was amateur models only so the Lynx had to sit it out but at least he was there to give tips on how to glide through the full turn and generally dole out compliments and advice.
The star of the new season was the re-modelled ACME gilet; a bold statement in its colourways but rooted in practicality. The only slight niggle I had with mine was that the size label had clearly been misprinted, how clumsy to type M as XXXL !
Our models for the night were Tomsk, Huggy, the Hustler, NBFD, Jem, Jan Onedin, Christopher Walken, Josser and OD. Sadly, Huggy's eagerly anticipated collection of daring leisure wear was not ready for the show but he hopes to have it completed in time for the spring show. It remains to be seen whether NBFD can sprinkle his design stardust over his proposed formal collection in time for Epiphany/nuptials. His ACME bow tie is sure to be a triumph.
With my usual late arrival, I was not able to sample everything but Snowdonia by Purple Moose Brewery was the clear winner of the Quaffers' Choice Award - anything that arrives in a huge jug is always going to have an advantage.
After the excitement of the fashion show we moved onto the business of this weekend's Fenland Friends and the Dutch Trip. The Lynx was frantically looking at Sunday train timetables from Lincoln and points south as he planned his left turn. Meanwhile Onedin and NBFD, fresh from their Dick Turpin's Dining Experience, were poring over menus and moaning about the "Michelin desert of the Fens". At one point I thought we might have some fisticuffs when NBFD proposed that they pre-order a Montrachet for their shellfish course on Saturday lunchtime. He should know by now that Onedin is all about the Pouilly Fuisse when it comes to chardonnay and lobster. At least they both agreed on Saturday evening's claret which will be decanted as they pass through the prior control.
The Dutch Trip seems to be coming along nicely. As soon as Walken remembers who is actually going he will be able to put the final arrangements into place. He is in danger of becoming as well organised as Huggy and just look where that has landed Huggy. Expect Walken to be organising far more if he can't learn to buffoon around like the rest of us - OD being the grand master of buffoonery and the example to us all.
For the first time it really felt like summer was over. Despite being a warm night, it was dark there and dark back and I was almost glad to be in civvies as I sat astride my toy bike. In a change from normal practice we engaged in a game of hare and hounds on the way home - more accurately tortoise and hounds. I set off a few minutes before everyone to gain a head start but was soon caught as I painfully dragged myself the 12k back to the office.
