First Friday failure

Arriving back in Arundel in rare bright sunshine, I had time for my normal 4 mile trek around the countryside before thinking about going to the run down, but quaintly charming, Norfolk Arms Hotel for a networking meeting under the auspices of Arundel First Friday. You never know where you might find people who can benefit from the services of Currencies Direct.

On the train back That Nice Lady Decorator enquired by text as to how flame haired siren, the beautiful Carolyn, had fared the night before when she had met her heroes, Duran Duran at a press launch, a treat I had arranged for her. Her response: that she was in bed, prompted my enquiry “with whom?”. She replied, I assume in jest, that she had both the Taylor brothers with her. This seemed a slight anti climax (can I say that?) as there are three Taylor’s in the group. My answer, suggesting that surely if she only had the two, one of them must be gay, was met with the riposte; “but which one?”. Just to avoid any interest from libel lawyers, I want to make it clear that this conversation was merely for fun and there is no suggestion that any of the group are gay. Now let’s move on.

Facebook tells more of the story, with various pictures of both That Nice Lady Decorator and the flame haired siren both being seen in inappropriate clinches with Simon Le Bon, lead singer with the group. I think the comment from one Peachy Butterfield was the most illuminating, asking if That Nuce Lady Decorator realised that he was not the bass player, a reference to her particular taste for bass players from her youth. Highly strung you may think, and I think most of them should be.

Because it was sunny, and because That Nice Lady Luncheon Person wanted a walk in the sunshine and then a couple of pints, followed by lunch, I am afraid that once again I failed to attend the Arundel First Friday networking meeting to which I alluded above and to which I had almost decided to go . A sunny day in England in winter is such a rare animal that one most be light on ones feet when it comes to prior arrangements (which are nothing to do with the burial of England’s wicket keeper), so, not for the first time, work was abandoned for lunch.

The Seven sisters and Beachy Head, viewed from the Cissbury Ring

This was taken at The Gun at Findon, after a frenetic walk around the Cissbury Ring,(pictured today) and I have to say it was extremely good. Delicately fried pigeon breast told the story of why those chaps up north so covert this bird. I must say, why do they use them to send messages when the are so much more rewarding when being eaten? Beautifully rare and tender, it was followed by a duck confit of the highest order,

I was all for a sleep before stirring for the overnight cricket against Australia, which is not going well and will test the nerve of any English cricket fan, but after returning to Arundel I was over ruled and told to prepare for a late afternoon pint at the Kings Arms. I am obedient at heart, so I obeyed the command, just to support my wife you understand. After that I seem to have had a recall malfunction, awaking on the sofa as play in the cricket started.

Today is a big day in the town. “Arundel by Candlelight” is an annual event that we missed last year as we were in Australia. The town is closed to traffic and parking is free, there is a procession, the lights on the Christmas tree in the High Street get turned in (a bit like a flame haired siren of my acquaintance?), there is apparently a market and I believe that all the towns pubs will be open. It is fair to say that I am expecting to enjoy the whole occasion.

Chris France
@Valbonne_News