Esmeraldus Birthday Meet - Meet Report
Andrew Nevill
I always enjoyed reading the reports of AFP meets. It sort of made up
for not being able to attend meets I would have liked to have gone to
but could not.
Just recently, I've privately lamented the fact that people don't seem
to post meet reports any more. I personally think it's great loss to
group as a whole.
So having attended the Birthday Meet in Esmeraldus' honour on Sunday, I
thought I'd try and do the report for it. So here goes...
Date: Sunday 10 August 2008-08-12
Venue: The Albany. Gt Portland St, London, UK, Roundworld.
Attendees: Esmeraldus, Jess, Dom, Eric Jarvis, Philippa, Affordable
Graham, Alec Cawley, Andrew Nevill, Claire
This meet was supposed to happen at the much-favoured Green Man. On
arrival, it turned out the Green Man was closed but a thoughtful post-it
note directed me to the Albany a short distance way.
I entered to find Esmeraldus, Jess, Dom, Eric Jarvis, Alec Cawley
Philippa and Graham. Claire, Jess' friend joined us later. It was
unanimous decided that she was definitely AFPer material - she was as
mad as the rest of us.
Much conversation was conversed - Politics, Good things the Labour
government have done (there were some), the qualities needed to be a
successful teacher, the merits or otherwise of some literary criticism
and other subjects too numerous to mention or which I did not hear or
have forgotten about
Also many laughsome things were laughed at- Claire's chocolate lip gloss
that EVERYONE tried - it tingled, the extremely tall beer glass tower
and the trying-on off Eric's hat - it did not flatter me. Another thing
that was laughed at was Graham's catalogue. A copy of which he handed to
Esmeraldus. This resulted in much whispered conversation between the
Birthday Girl and the Lady Jessica accompanied by pointing and giggles.
I can only assume it was hilarious.
And of course, much drink was drunk.
As the evening progressed, people gradually left and as the pub was
closing, Claire suggested we find a place to get more alcohol. This was
accomplished by Claire waylaying people and asking them where the pub
was. Unfortunately, people seemed reluctant to be waylaid by a group of
five semi-drunken people at 11 o'clock on Sunday night. So, Claire was
forced to chase after them. Shouting, 'We don't want to hurt you!" This
reassured no one. I cannot recommend this methodology.
Following our complete failure to find a pub, we found ourselves outside
Baker Street underground station and Esmeraldus and Jess decided they
ought to head home.
Shortly after I saw a landmark I recognised which I was certain I'd seen
earlier when walking from the hotel. Logically heading back up the
street should mean I'd find my hotel. So I decided to head for my room
and my bed. Luckily it seems that even slightly sozzled, I retain my
sense of direction and I soon found my way to my bed for the night.
Eric and Claire were last seen on Baker Street.
--
Andrew Nevill B.F. D.W. FdV. Reply address: ane...@ntlworld.com
AFPWorshipper to Spooky, AFPfiance to Sarah (Nanny Ogg) pia & Esmeraldus.
AFPUncle to James Vaughan. You cannot value friends as pennies,
nor can you replace them as easily (Spooky in email, Aug 2001.)
Len Oil
> Eric and Claire were last seen on Baker Street.
Probably looking for their own Holmes.
/wishes he could have arranged his own presence. Many happy returns, et al.
Eric Jarvis
spooky...@hotmail.com says...
>
> As the evening progressed, people gradually left and as the pub was
> closing, Claire suggested we find a place to get more alcohol. This was
> accomplished by Claire waylaying people and asking them where the pub
> was. Unfortunately, people seemed reluctant to be waylaid by a group of
> five semi-drunken people at 11 o'clock on Sunday night. So, Claire was
> forced to chase after them. Shouting, 'We don't want to hurt you!" This
> reassured no one. I cannot recommend this methodology.
>
> Following our complete failure to find a pub, we found ourselves outside
> Baker Street underground station and Esmeraldus and Jess decided they
> ought to head home.
>
Oh ye of little faith. The Volunteer was open until midnight and not 100
yards north of Baker Street Station.
I don't count that as a failure to find a pub. I count that as the
younger generation mostly having too little stamina (or too much sense).
--
eric
Live fast, die only if strictly necessary.
CCA
> I always enjoyed reading the reports of AFP meets. It sort of made up
> for not being able to attend meets I �would have liked to have gone to
> but could not.
>
> Just recently, I've privately lamented the fact that people don't seem
> to post meet reports any more. I personally think it's great loss to
> group as a whole.
It is nice to see a meet report - thanks for doing this one. Sounds
like everyone enjoyed themselves! :-)
CCA