Tanka I (Hammersmith)

~

Caught by the cold wind

Ashes emptied from a pot

Spread over the waves.



Black clad mourners on the pier:

Doffing my hat, I paddle by.

~

Conceived on 12 January, not Le Port, but it is conncected by the stream.

New Year 2008

A fashionable crowd was gethered at Le Port in the freezing cold for the Final Night Barbecue hosted by the Dumunton's and organised by Raphael "Crocadile" Munton and his partner Miss Hsu. The theme for the evening was hats and beneath these could be distinguished a veritable cornucopia of the upper rungs of the social step ladder (a step too far and you fall off the other side). Notable for his two-way-hat was Lord Warden Les Cinques Ports General Sir Euan "damn close run thing" Wellesly. Cameron "the Highlander" was present but the kilt and tartan of his ilk was not evident instead he stunned partygoers with a red tiger vest and veltron intergalactic communications kit attached to the Christmas decorations _ see photo above.

There was also a rare sighting of Paul, Lord Warden of the Fermentations. Our Lady of the Fermentations (just flown in from outer space -where she had just been on a diplomatic mission to Rj78q400 in the Crab Nebula) was seen in earnest conversation with The General on defining suitable moral criteria to justify the invasion of other countries, galaxies and universes and the subjection of their peoples. Communications were received throughout the evening from Brigadier Halcyon Munton (Colet's Own 1st Hussar's) at that moment invading an unsuspecting Switzerland using a cunning route involving four trains and a bus. Choral singing in praise of the hosts by the General's family on arrival, followed by Abba and modern local Occitan bands, who sang of the ladies of Castelnaud, were features of the entertainment. Lamb and pork kebabs, sweet potatoes, potatoe salad and walnuts and strange looking fish were served with Ch. Le Petit Montibeau and copious Champage. The penultimate event was a quiz on the subject of Famous Salafists, Tawheedists and Random Jehadis which was won hands down by the Lord Warden of the Fermentations who also set the questions. The Lord Warden of the Fermentations was later found in a state of sartorial disarray, bound with a wide belt and gagged with a pair of tights in an obscure bunk room in the East Wing. It was a memorable evening and very little, if anything, was raised for charity.

-

Photos: top: Paul, Lord Warden of the Fermentations, 2. Miss Hsu, 3. Raphael "Crocodile" Munton, 4. Hon. Laura sporting Man after Midnight hat 5. Hon Joanna, 6 Most of the Fashionable Crowd, 7. Lord Warden of Les Cinques Ports (back) 8. Lord Warden Les Cinques Ports (front) 9. Hon Cameron, 10 Our Lady of the Fermentations (left) & Dormouse Droad (rt.).