Kirsty MacColl knew a guy down the chip shop who swore he was Elvis. Last night, when we arrived at the pub, there was an old bloke sitting in the corner, cackling to himself who swore he had ridden LEL. He even had the jersey ! We humoured the poor old duffer and let him join in with us though.
The night had begun normally enough with a good sized contingent assembling at Spa; OD, the Hustler, Hotblack, Tomsk, Stanners Kiwi, Grey Sheep and the Lord Oakington all tore off into the darkness leaving me puffing away behind - I did actually have to check I hadn't turned up on time trial night by mistake. What made it all the more galling was that Tomsk had turned up on what looked like a small road roller and was carrying a selection of garden tools, I am sure I saw a full size scythe sticking out his saddle bag and very possibly a small lawnmower. We managed to avoid the COR that had been carelessly left in the route when I cobbled it together 2 years ago and arrived at the Donkey & Buskins in reasonable time.
This was a new pub to nearly all of us and it was a lot nicer inside than we had anticipated. The only downside was a limited selection of ales. Firelight by St Peter's won the Quaffers Choice by default but it would have been a winner most nights anyway. Of course some of our more irresponsible members took the limited selection as an excuse to go seriously off piste; OD was lost in the wine list for a good half hour before choosing his vintage, Oaky went for Tia Maria and Guinness, Stanners slipped back into his old ways with a cider and LEL Elvis mumbled something about meths so we gave him a Guinness as well. It is fortunate that the Hustler now comes equipped with a waiter's pad and his very own Kitty Kitty pen. He was also able, yet again, to charm the barmaid into delivering the beers for him. He seems to be labouring under the misapprehension that he has been elevated to some sort of executive position.
As well as planning what will hopefully become a couple of new ACME rides, we discussed something to do with broadband, Epiphany and Wales. We also held the first meeting of the MEMWNS caravan club. Sadly the conversation had to be cut short when our diversity officer Oaky was forced to step in to caution OD about his behaviour. Oaky is now designing a series of cultural awareness workshops, attendance at which will be compulsory.
It hadn't got any warmer outside while we sat in the pub so it was a cold ride home. Tomsk probably had a brazier in his saddlebag as well so he would have been alright.
