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London, Friday 11 July 2008, Odd+Great (Partially Sighted)

Posted: 22:22 Mon 26 May 2008
by jdaw1
Orders from she who must be obeyed seem to imply that I’ll be available and not far from London on Friday 11th July or Saturday 12th July. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what sort of thing I could do that evening? You know, theatre, film, or something social.

And I would be coming from my father’s, should there be anything there that would be needed.

Edit: re-re-titled on Sat 7th June to “London, Friday 11 July 2008, Odd+Great (Partially Sighted)†.

Posted: 22:35 Mon 26 May 2008
by KillerB
Whatever, I will make an effort.

Posted: 23:05 Mon 26 May 2008
by DRT
That might just work. Depends on child related logistics and negotiations with former significant other. Will let you know. Please confirm date ASAP.

Thanks

Derek

Date slightly flexible

Posted: 23:38 Mon 26 May 2008
by jdaw1
Date slightly flexible, in that wifely plans not yet set in no-exchange tickets.
And yes, worthy of a new thread.

Posted: 05:15 Tue 27 May 2008
by benread
I would love to join you but my plans for those dates are dominated by one small thing - baby due date is 12th July! You are at least talking my locality though!

Posted: 07:15 Tue 27 May 2008
by Alex Bridgeman
That week is horribly free in my diary at the moment, which probably means I'll end up in a foreign country - anyone care to bet that irony will decide that to be New York?

However, as things stand at the moment, I could make Friday 11 July, but not Saturday 12. Thursday 10 July might be better for DRT than the Friday if there is some flexibility in the dates.

The Crusting Pipe may be a venue that is convenient for its location "near London", although I accept that it is not convenient for all.

Lastly, I suggest that in deference to Ben's likely inability to attend (or to attend but be unable to consume alcohol) that we do not set 1970 as the theme for this trip to the cinema or other social event.

How about something recent? Perhaps a 1991 or 1992 or 1994 tasting?

Alex

What about London jumping the queue on Old and Odd?

Posted: 11:02 Tue 27 May 2008
by jdaw1
Agreed not the 1970.

What about London jumping the queue on Old and Odd (“O&O†)?

And I believe that the date has been set — in that the missus has bought tickets — even though I haven’t yet been told what the date is. You know how it is.

I’m available … from about 2pm on Friday 11th July 2008.

Posted: 13:07 Tue 27 May 2008
by jdaw1
I’m available for cinema, theatre, or whatever, from about 2pm on Friday 11th July 2008. Or, if others strongly prefer, which AHB doesn’t, it could be the Saturday.

Ben: it’s your first child (please confirm). So at least 24 hours will elapse before the start of the rumblings and anything happening. Hence we should put you down tentatively, and if there are no reports of an imminent delivery as we decant, upgrade you to being a light-drinking participant.

Posted: 13:19 Tue 27 May 2008
by DRT
Please put me down as "porbable" for this one. Awaiting confirmation of child's whereabouts that weekend. Given that he is 14 my chances of accurately determining that are greater than Ben's.

Please also put me down as "baggsied a bed/sofa/space on floor" should any of those options become available.

Can I suggest a slight expansion of the O&O theme to Old, Odd plus a couple of bottles that are more than likely going to be Great?

Derek

of course, bonus bottles will appear.

Posted: 13:21 Tue 27 May 2008
by jdaw1
You’re welcome to bagsy accommodation, but, as yet, there isn’t any. And, of course, bonus bottles will appear.

Does this mean that we’ve agreed that it isn’t cinema, nor theatre?

Re: of course, bonus bottles will appear.

Posted: 13:35 Tue 27 May 2008
by DRT
jdaw1 wrote:Does this mean that we’ve agreed that it isn’t cinema, nor theatre?
I think so.

Derek

PS: If Ben gets called away during the event should we all go along to cheer on Mrs Read and offer moral support?

Re: of course, bonus bottles will appear.

Posted: 14:06 Tue 27 May 2008
by jdaw1
Derek T. wrote:PS: If Ben gets called away during the event should we all go along to cheer on Mrs Read and offer moral support?
Mrs R could come. If things start, well, we’re all fathers, we know what to do. Ben wouldn’t even have to leave the tasting, and there’ll be celebratory drinks to hand. What could be better?

Separately, thread retitled to “London, Friday 11 July 2008, O&O|G†.

Re: of course, bonus bottles will appear.

Posted: 15:23 Tue 27 May 2008
by DRT
jdaw1 wrote:
Derek T. wrote:PS: If Ben gets called away during the event should we all go along to cheer on Mrs Read and offer moral support?
Mrs R could come. If things start, well, we’re all fathers, we know what to do. Ben wouldn’t even have to leave the tasting, and there’ll be celebratory drinks to hand. What could be better?
Splendid idea. Perhaps The Crusting Pipe could give us both tunnels: one for the tasting and one for the delivery?

Recommendation: Only the port tasting should be attempted blind :shock:

Derek

PS: What will we name the first TPF baby?

I declare that joke thoroughly exhausted.

Posted: 18:23 Tue 27 May 2008
by jdaw1
I declare that joke thoroughly exhausted.

Re: What about London jumping the queue on Old and Odd?

Posted: 20:10 Tue 27 May 2008
by Alex Bridgeman
jdaw1 wrote:What about London jumping the queue on Old and Odd (“O&O†)?
It looks like I am too late, but I would prefer not. I promised Jay that I would bring a bottle worthy of keeping his 1878 Schofield Brothers company.

Although I suppose that 20 year old Cruz Ruby tucked away in the cupboard might fit the bill of being "Odd"...

What definition should we use for "Old"? Older than Ben's first-born?

Re: I’m available … from about 2pm on Friday 11th July 2008.

Posted: 21:54 Tue 27 May 2008
by benread
jdaw1 wrote:Ben: it’s your first child (please confirm). So at least 24 hours will elapse before the start of the rumblings and anything happening. Hence we should put you down tentatively, and if there are no reports of an imminent delivery as we decant, upgrade you to being a light-drinking participant.
Yes it is our first. And yes please a provisional place would be good, subject to all the appropriate caveats.
Derek T. wrote:
jdaw1 wrote:PS: If Ben gets called away during the event should we all go along to cheer on Mrs Read and offer moral support?
I am sure she would welcome the support!
jdaw1 wrote:
Derek T. wrote:PS: If Ben gets called away during the event should we all go along to cheer on Mrs Read and offer moral support?
Mrs R could come. If things start, well, we’re all fathers, we know what to do. Ben wouldn’t even have to leave the tasting, and there’ll be celebratory drinks to hand. What could be better?
She has talked about the possibility of an additional birthing partner, but I think she meant her Mum!

Derek T wrote: Perhaps The Crusting Pipe could give us both tunnels: one for the tasting and one for the delivery?

Recommendation: Only the port tasting should be attempted blind :shock:

Derek

PS: What will we name the first TPF baby?
She is keen on a home birth. I think she meant our home and not a home for VP drunks!

As to your second question, see the attached thread where a few suggestions have already been made for Joost!

I also discovered over the weekend that there is an Australian "Tawny Port" called "Benjamin"!

Re: What about London jumping the queue on Old and Odd?

Posted: 00:49 Wed 28 May 2008
by jdaw1
AHB wrote:It looks like I am too late, but I would prefer not. I promised Jay that I would bring a bottle worthy of keeping his 1878 Schofield Brothers company.

Although I suppose that 20 year old Cruz Ruby tucked away in the cupboard might fit the bill of being "Odd"...
Odd works. Though if there is a risk of ugliness, she is to bring a cute friend.

Posted: 13:33 Sat 31 May 2008
by DRT
My attendee status can be upgraded from "porbable" to "confirmed" :piginpoo:

Derek

London, Friday 11 July 2008

Posted: 04:01 Fri 06 Jun 2008
by jdaw1
Attendees:
  1. jdaw1, guest of honour!
  2. KillerB, of whom nothing has been heard since “Whatever, I will make an effort†.
  3. Derek T., arrangements having been specially made.
  4. benread, subject to wives, babies, dog-sitters, and like excuses. So probably no.
  5. AHB, subject to “That week is horribly free in my diary at the moment, which probably means I'll end up in a foreign country†.
Theme?
  • AHB: How about something recent? Perhaps a 1991 or 1992 or 1994 tasting?
  • jdaw1 asked What about London jumping the queue on Old and Odd (“O&O†)?
  • Derek T.: a slight expansion of the O&O theme to Old, Odd plus a couple of bottles that are more than likely going to be Great?
In the traditionally democratic manner, and allowing for the paucity of people, I hereby seize ancient powers and declare the theme to be Excuse to use an odd bottle that won’t fit into another tasting; or, failing which, something worth drinking; or both. Preceded by afternoon beer.

Bottles may be revealed in advance, here, to facilitate tasting mats (first draft thereof), but this is not required. I choose to reveal:
  1. 1991 Skeffington (Paxton & Whitfield);
  2. 1936 Massandra port from Livadia, then of the Soviet Union, now of the Ukraine.

Re: London, Friday 11 July 2008

Posted: 08:44 Fri 06 Jun 2008
by DRT
jdaw1 wrote: Excuse to use an odd bottle that won’t fit into another tasting; or, failing which, something worth drinking; or both. Preceded by afternoon beer.
A splendid theme. I will browse the cellar list to see if I have one or two bottles that fit the criteria.

Question: Am I allowed to bend the rules slightly so that girlie lager can be consumed in the afternoon rather than beer? AHB may also require a waiver on this rule to allow him to drink half a pint of fizzy apple juice.

Derek

Posted: 00:16 Sat 07 Jun 2008
by Alex Bridgeman
A splendid theme. I shall reveal, but much nearer the time.

Ideally before I depart for blighty.

Posted: 02:51 Sat 07 Jun 2008
by jdaw1
AHB wrote:I shall reveal, but much nearer the time.
Ideally before I depart for blighty.

Posted: 12:30 Sat 07 Jun 2008
by uncle tom
No spouse, no kids (actual or on the production line) so no excuses..

Are we talking CP? or elsewhere?

Possible contributions:

- Old unknown bottle (unbranded cork) found in a bin of Taylor '55 and of similar age.

- Gonzalez Byass Coronation sherry 1937, driven cork, true vintage sherry (I think), second of two bottles, first was very good.

- Very ancient half bottle with illegible cork. Bottle has twin with word 'Croft' visible on cork. Possibly 100 years + old. Needs venue where neck can be cut off, or cork carefully pushed into bottle. Probably best not at CP.

- Unknown Warre, probably '58 or '63

- Ferreira '45, poor level.

- Croft '27, also poor level.

Suggestions?

Tom

London, Friday 11 July 2008

Posted: 12:59 Sat 07 Jun 2008
by jdaw1
uncle tom wrote:Are we talking CP? or elsewhere?
The current draft of the placemats says, without it having been mentioned in HMTL, “The Crusting Pipe, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8RD†. Should a reservation be made? Derek?

My preference would be one of:
uncle tom wrote:- Old unknown bottle (unbranded cork) found in a bin of Taylor '55 and of similar age.
uncle tom wrote:- Ferreira '45, poor level.
but others might differ.

Posted: 14:17 Sat 07 Jun 2008
by DRT
We should perhaps make a booking for The Boardroom given that numbers are unlikely to exceed 6 or 7? AHB has the best contacts at TCP to achieve this.

I would be delighted to drink any of the options offered by Tom.

I need to have a think about what I am bringing. Is blind an option or are we going to have a totally sighted event for a change?