I don't know if it was the impending month of thundersnow (see tabloid newspapers) or the fact that Sid James was out but we had an extremely well attended evening at the Orange Tree last night.
As a bit of a change, I also arrived first having ridden my little bike in the sleet across OD's mudfest of a route - that he didn't even use to get home.
I was soon joined by Pugwash, Jiber, Sid, Mrs Jiber, Bobb and Tomsk. It was some time before the Witham peloton arrived after sorting out a visitation but they added OD, Huggy, Firestarter, Oaky and the Hustler to our merry band.
It all got a bit like a night at TGI Fridays after that with group renditions of happy birthday - firstly for Bobb and then our half-centurion the Hustler. Poor old Sid isn't as quick as he used to be so he had no chance of escaping when OD started his healing hands business on his knackered knees. I wonder if the kindest thing for Sid might be to shoot him - or is that just for horses ?
It was a Skinners takeover at the Orange Tree so we sampled Porthleven, Lushingtons, Penny Come Quick, Hops 'n Honey, Cornish Knocker and Betty Stogs. Porthleven took the coveted Quaffer's Choice with one judge describing it has a having a long taste.
OD, never one to follow the herd, decided it was a merlot and gin night instead. I think the merlot was his way of saying sorry to the various people he has insulted over the last week or so but I didn't mind joining in as I was heading home by train and taxi.
While Jiber and I finished our last drinks and engaged in some civilised discussion, the roughnecks that comprise the Witham peloton headed off to buy a kebab from a van at the side of the A12
Next week we will be arriving by snowplough, probably.