(no subject)

Christmas lunch at the office. It was self-service, we all had to remember what we ordered all those weeks ago, but the canteen staff pulled out the stops to make it a special occasion. The tables were festooned with festive paraphernalia, including a cracker each, and a friendly member of staff would come round to let us know when each course was available, keep us supplied with water, and collect our trays when we returned from the serving hatch. My chicken liver parfait, roast turkey crown and all the trimmings, and Christmas pud with brandy sauce were very tasty; my only problem came at the end when the waitress poured milk into everyone else's coffee and left mine black. Elaine had to flag her down en route to another table. A CD played of cover versions of classic Christmas hits, prompting Alison and Elaine to reminisce about times seeing Mud, David Essex and Slade live in their heyday. Alison was amazed that Slade are not only still around, albeit Noddy-less, but playing Gosport just before Christmas. I really liked the version of Stop The Cavalry on the CD, but, alas, it was taken off and replaced with another festive collection before I was able to ask any of the staff for enough info about the CD to buy it.

We all got credited 3 hours' leave to attend the lunch, but even with my going running round the building delivering Christmas cards to former colleagues I was still back at work within two, so got to knock off three quarters of an hour early - though the bus was late again...