Wests 12th birthday

Can easily understand the importance of all that.

A typical Thursday does not have the numbers that will attend tonight,
but,
you will be made welcome.

Just about to set off.
Should be at the Red Lion by 18.15
if any local-ish commuters are there for an early doors drink.

Now here!
Slight change to bike parking.
Individual door within alley-blocking gate inoperative. We'll use the empty beer garden accessible up the alley on lhs side of the Red Lion.

Great night with a surprisingly warm cycle back east. Enjoyed listening to Moby on the journey too though I have to say he really loaded most of the hits on the opening of Play and it drops off on the back end

The medlar is also now in the freezer

Good to see everyone. Nice ride home for me too despite almost running over three foxes in the first half-mile.

Thanks to everyone who showed up. Peaking at 10 attendees, we filled the allocated space in the (nominal) VIP zone. I still have a disconnect with waiter service for pints of beer.
(If anyone was concerned the experimental murky pint of London Pride 'smoothy', that I eventually returned as my assumption that it 'would settle down' was proved wrong, had no ill-effects).

Pity the kitchen 'lost' the last three pizzas ordered, but I heartily enjoyed my vegan calzone.

Absent friends were mentioned, @Oliver Schick, (ill), @mashton, @middleofnowhere and @lynx.

See some of you on the 27th.

Thanks for organizing, good to see you and other West (ir)regulars! And thanks @Scrabble for the adventurous ride out.

Thanks for organising and for the goodies! Medlar also in the freezer!

I'm mortified at not making it and not sending apologies.

Shame on me.

^^ & ^^^
You guys are always welcome,
and,
I'll join you on the 27th.
^
If we meet up at an Xmas Lights Ride,
you'll receive the 'taster' of 2018 Ruislip Sloe Gin,
and a small jar of Sloe & Newton Wonder chutney.

For anyone mystified by all the medlar references.
[It seems to have an enlarged wiki entry than I remember].

Enjoyed listening to Moby

Never let it be said that people don't get really, really drunk at Wests any more. :)

Sorry I didn't make it, was under the weather.

Anyone tried their (artificially) bletted medlar yet?

I just remembered mine is in the fridge and is pretty squishy.. is that a good thing?

I have had my sloe gin and it was highly pleasant, thanks @mespilus!

I have used some of my sloe gin during my last audax when my spirits needed a bit of lifting, it worked very well, thanks!

You've been inculcated into the Cult of Medlars!
Get the terminology; bletting = (gone squishy =) now edible.
I would suggest letting it regain room temperature to release the full flavour palette.

You are very welcome.
Always pleased to share the Ruislip foraging harvest.
Those 2018 Premier Grand Cru sloes were pretty good.

I'm glad a simple gift had such a useful effect.
Salut!

The best we can look forward to this year would be an online meet up.