Well at long last I've managed to put pen to paper. John apparently asked for volunteers to write this report actually at the Annual Dinner, but I doubt whether anyone who volunteered can actually remember the Dinner (let's hope you can James - Ed.). Never mind, I can indulge in tabloid journalism instead (i.e. make it up!).
We arrived at John's Bar, some earlier rather than later. Mutual apprehension from some of the "hard core" members at wearing a D.J. or dress (and no Toby, that isn't a deskjet) proved unnecessary since the rain meant everybody wore Gore-Tex anyway. To follow John Belfield, "Sartorial Attire Deficiency"!
We arrived at the actual dinner with our President in fine form, to find Dr. Hickson already talking to the waiters (so that's why his glass was re-filled so regularly!) A rather undignified post-sherry scramble for places followed which resulted in O.P. (Our President, not Old Peculiar in this case at least) refusing his place at the head of the table. However, a pleasant starter was followed by Scottish salmon, apparently caught by Toby on his most recent visit and donated to the Dinner.
The main course was roast duckling or mushroom lasagne, but this was merely the hors-d'oeuvre to the speeches. Magnificent Mr. G. rose slowly, and steadying a shaking arm on an available chair prepared to speak. The awe-inspired silence was broken by the occasional camera flash and the odd shout of encouragement. Eventually words started to gush from O.P.'s mouth, slowly at first but then in an ever more rapid torrent, each syllable getting more tangled with those both preceding and following, and punctuated solely by attempts to re-open the channels between thoughts and words, and between port and mouth. Other toasts followed Mr. G.'s erudite oratory, until the group adjourned to the T&G.
Here the fine hillwalking colours were displayed, involving tricky moves demonstrated admirably by O.P. using the window of the T&G and where two people again lived up to their reputation on such occasions - Mark "well sometimes my stomach feels a bit uncomfortable after enjoyable evenings" Stevenson and Jane "look, this time I didn't walk into any walls O.K.?" Strange and Margaret [this is number three, James - Ed.] "I'm not with any of them, I'm just here because I love wearing dresses - anyone for another Appletise? James are you drunk?" Newby.
Which brings me back to where I started. I think the inaugural dinner was a great success - thanks John and Pete for organising it. Bring on next year, and the triumphal sequel speech by Mr. G.!
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