Brett and Sarah's - 23rd July 2008

Run Report by John

Brett and Sarah's decision to postpone their barby from earlier in the month bore fruit as the sun shone and the air temperature reached something that might reasonably be called 'summer'.

Apart from the temperature, nothing else really changed. There was the usual delay at the start - no not from the Roddick / Huxtable circus nor Fred leaving the house late. This was the very popular local builder from Oakwood who had endeared themselves very early on to Brett and Sarah by damaging their wall during week one of the development progressing opposite. Not surprisingly Brett was not in the mood to assist with his broken down white van but everyone else was so Brett left us to get on with it. With enthusiasm that could only be described as maniacal, we sprinted up the road with the intention of giving the van a push. Once there a full service inspection was carried out by Roddick, Huxtable, Taylor with a bemused builder looking on . The conclusion after much discussion and with full Minutes taken was that the van was f#####d. A few sighs of relief were heard amongst the assembled mechanical ignoramusses and with guilt building by the second, the party just about managed to drag themselves away for the main purpose of the evening.

With Sarah leading the way, we embarked upon a very pleasant jaunt through Coney Copse, up onto Harvest Moor and Hillgrove Wood to the outer edges of Cookham Rise and down through Winter Hill golf course where the party split and made their respective ways home either via Cock Marsh or Patches. (Yes I know the area well).

Brett and Sarah's water bill ballooned through the roof as the girls decided to shower and change whilst the 'sweaties' decided to drink beer and annoy Brett with questions about the forthcoming new property over the road. Apparently demolition had started but that did not put off the Roddick / Huxtable clan from parking within demolition distance of the main property. Jules looked suitably put out when some polish lady demanded that he move the car otherwise it would be locked in. Bloody foreigners.

Welcome additons at this stage were Presso and Diana. Presso was boasting that he had been working that day (its ok for some). He also managed to confirm his position as number one phyromaniac with a bonfire that had nearly destroyed adjacent commercial installations - all described without a hint of concern. He was obviously entirely confident about Rodders' accidental damage insurance. Diana was doing her best to look happy at the prospect of a weekend away with David at a local B & B in Bournemouth. David was struggling to recall all the details but no doubt he will reveal all next - that's if Diana hasn't dumped him.

Superb ribs, kebabs, burgers, sausages were supremely cooked by Brett and guzzled down by the assembled gut buckets alongside salads, spaghetti (sorry don't know the technical name), potato salad and dressings. I did consider a second helping bearing in mind Jerome wasn't there. Fat chance - the naughty bench and Susie had scoffed the lot (proof of how delicious it was). PS. Naughty bench was Steve and Presso with Kate stuck in the middle really stirring it up. Yes she was drinking which probably didn't help. Oh yes and then came the puddings served elegantly by Amanda to both tables - probably so she could ensure her favourite didn't get eaten and the portions were rationed accordingly. Lime cheesecake and brownies with lovely thick clotted cream were enjoyed washed down with Rebellion beer and a very nice red. Sorry didn't try the white.

All that remained at the end of the evening (apart from waiting for Rodders to finish his brownie and clotted cream) was to say an enormous thank you to Sarah and Brett for hosting and supplying all the food and most importantly feeding my kids. You did us proud and hugely appreciated. I hope that you managed to get lots of volunteers for clearing up..................yeah when hell freezes over maybe.

Next week I have decided rather inevitably on The Squirrel in Penn Street.

See you all there.
John