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

[jdaw1]

If more than 7 won't fit on one (non-duplex) placemat then please leave as is. I suspect more than one additional bottle will turn up so we will have to cope in an off-piste fashion.

Eight is the most that will fit comfortably, as in my avatar. Please re-inspect placemats.

Depending on whether his broadband is working, I might be able to cope from my father’s. Or might not.

[DRT]

If more than 7 won't fit on one (non-duplex) placemat then please leave as is. I suspect more than one additional bottle will turn up so we will have to cope in an off-piste fashion.

Eight is the most that will fit comfortably, as in my avatar. Please re-inspect placemats.

Oops. I meant 8. Well, I would have if I had counted them properly. So if 9 will not fit please follow previous instruction for 8 or more.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Placemats look rather splendid to me. I like the "AHB?", summarises exactly the quandry I am in at the moment.

[jdaw1]

Oops. I meant 8. Well, I would have if I had counted them properly. So if 9 will not fit please follow previous instruction for 8 or more.

Your first instruction was entirely logical, which is why the eighth was added.

AHB: tell us the choices.

[DRT]

Oops. I meant 8. Well, I would have if I had counted them properly. So if 9 will not fit please follow previous instruction for 8 or more.

Your first instruction was entirely logical, which is why the eighth was added.

In that case I have had too much to drink and am too confused to carry on this conversation so am going to bed.

Thanks.

[Alex Bridgeman]

AHB: tell us the choices.

I have, but I will summarise them again for convenience. The choices are: Unknown Shipper of Unknown Vintage, believed to be Taylor 1963; Martinez 1967; Gould Campbell 1977

[jdaw1]

Unknown Shipper of Unknown Vintage, believed to be Taylor 1963; Martinez 1967; Gould Campbell 1977

Fine choices.

• ??? (OK with me—hopefully cork will reveal something);
• T63 (who could complain at T63?—and would nicely accompany THRA’s believed Taylor believed 1955);
• Mz67 (a vintage of which I have little experience);
• GC77 (highly recommended by others, but never tried by me).

As a choice is needed, I’m going to choose the mystery bottle. That choice is binding unless objection is received by 3pm today NY time.

[jdaw1]

DRT: will you be able to print the placemats? I don’t want to rely on paternal technology. Thanks.

[DRT]

DRT: will you be able to print the placemats? I don’t want to rely on paternal technology. Thanks.

I will print and bring. I assume duplex printing is not preferred?

[Alex Bridgeman]

No, but printing and bringing is preferred.

[DRT]

No, but printing and bringing is preferred.

[Alex Bridgeman]

So we'll have no more comments about duplex printing now, shall we?

[DRT]

So we'll have no more comments about duplex printing now, shall we?

No, Mr Bridgeman. Sorry, Mr Bridgeman. Can I clean the blackboard for you, Mr Bridgeman?

[DRT]

DRT: will you be able to print the placemats? I don’t want to rely on paternal technology. Thanks.

I will print and bring. I assume ??????* printing is not preferred?

* - offending word removed from above quote

Placemats have been printed and placed in my bag. It is likely that I will remember to bring them this time.

Is portrait orientation a new feature? I like it as it will leave more room on the table for tasting notes, steak, cheese and/or chocolate pudding

[uncle tom]

Before anyone prints out the placemats, I shall probably be bringing the Croft.

Tom

[Alex Bridgeman]

Which Croft would that be? You mentioned both a Croft 1927 (low fill) and a Croft, ancient but unknown?

Presumably this is in place of the Ferreira or the Unknown, possibly Taylor 1955.

I am now seriously reconsidering my contribution. A mere Taylor 1963 compared to some of the elderly ports that are being brought along may not be sufficient. However, I will wait for clarification from Tom before I raise other options for what I might decide to bring along.

Alex

[DRT]

DRT: will you be able to print the placemats? I don’t want to rely on paternal technology. Thanks.

Placemats have been printed and placed in my bag. It is likely that I will remember to bring them this time.

Before anyone prints out the placemats, I shall probably be bringing the Croft.

Our placemat specialist is now at the mercy of parental technology so it is unlikely that they can be updated electronically. However, I do have a black marker pen that might to the trick.

AHB and THRA: Please clarify what you intend to bring?

Derek

[uncle tom]

Croft '27

Tom

[Alex Bridgeman]

Christopher has decided to match Derek's Victorian contribution and will be bringing an elderly port from the 1800's.

In the light of Christopher's decision and Derek's noble sacrifice of his only 1890, I shall also bring an 1890 vintage port of unknown shipper and we can enjoy an 1890 mini-horizontal and a triunity*1 of venerable vintage ports.

The juxtaposition of the Skeffington 1991 against its ancient cousins will make for an amusing evening and will probably be a welcome burst of fruit and flavour compared to the potentially faded and tawny lifelessness of the veterans.

Alex

*1 - first time I have ever been able to use the word in anger!

[DRT]

I now have full delegated development control of the placemat code thanks to some tips from Brother Jdaw. I will update the placemats and, hopefully, bring them with me on Friday.

Derek (Placemat Deputy)

[Alex Bridgeman]

Should we have duplex placemats? Side A could be "Combination Number 1" whereby I bring the T'63 and Side B could be "Combination Number 2" whereby I bring the 1890 unknown.

Or is a big black marker more appropriate technology.

It also sounds as through travel decanting kits will be required for these delicate wines that may fall apart soon after being decanted.

Alex

[DRT]

Should we have duplex placemats? Side A could be "Combination Number 1" whereby I bring the T'63 and Side B could be "Combination Number 2" whereby I bring the 1890 unknown.

Or is a big black marker more appropriate technology.

It also sounds as through travel decanting kits will be required for these delicate wines that may fall apart soon after being decanted.

Alex

Duplex and black markers not necessary. I am now highly skilled in the art of placemat formating and production.

I thought you had give up on the T'63? Are you now considering two bottles? This will stretch and develop my skills on placemat design and make me a more rounded individual who brings more value to the team.

[DRT]

After much changing of minds and almost last minute decisions by email and text message here is the latest line-up:

1. Paxton & Whitfield BOB 1991 (Skeffington) - JDAW
2. Massandra 1936 (Ukrainian Imposter) - JDAW
3. Napa Prager 1987 (Yankee Imposter) - JDAW
4. Unknown Shipper 1890 - AHB
5. Unknown Shipper, Unknown Vintage (believed Taylor's 1963) - AHB
6. Croft 1927 - THRA
7. Old Vintage Port (Served Blind) - CG
8. Unknown Shipper, Unknown Vintage (believed 1890) - DRT
9. Krohn White Colheita Branco 1964 (bottled 2007) - DRT

5 mouths, perhaps 6 if our host joins us, 8 bottles of port and one bottle of something else. I think we have maxed-out. No more bottles please.

Placemats to follow in a few hours from now. Any more changes to specification will require formal Change Control and Impact Assessment to be invoked.

Derek

[benread]

Looks very interesting line up - I wish I were able to join you! Still no action on the wife / baby front. I will of course be thinking of you...

...OK I admit it, thinking of the bottle line up!

[DRT]

Current version of placemat is shown below. Please check for errors.

I need to wait until the Helpdesk opens in the morning to seek advice on splitting over two pages or making A3.



Derek