The Thames Court of the 1970s

We had a lively meeting a fortnight ago. We welcomed Susan to her first meeting, and also welcomed back Guy, who hadn't joined us since the pandemic broke things up.

On the topic of what might have been, Karen gave us poem of 'choices taken, choices missed' with the lovely line, 'We see the gems where least expecting them.' Guy catalogued regretable events from King James II to George W Bush, ending with the hope for 'justice on the other side.' Mandy read a charming story punctuated by pop classics of a woman's last hours at the bar where she met and fell in love with her husband of 60 years, and returned 'to be close to him.'

Varying somewhat from the theme, I read another chapter of LLR in which Leia the cat steals the show and tugs at our hearts.

What followed was a digression about the Island, covering foxes, a rabbit head under an apple tree, Rosina refusing a painting commission, and other local eccentricities.

Our challenge for next Tuesday is the Thames Court Pub in the 1970s. David has provided a photo of his younger self and some neighbours on the night the old pub closed for renovations. It shows a spiral staircase leading to a balcony seating area, and the bar smaller and more central than now. However changed, we're still lucky to have the Thames Court as our local, and as a convivial place for Wordsmiths to meet.