oldbilbo
...
Oh, goodie! Those nice people at 'Classic Boat' have written, inviting me to a Champagne Reception in London, in March..... and, and.... I can invite up to 3 guests each.... and, and.... 'all guests will receive a commemorative gift'....
Wow! That's more than a Garden Party or an Investiture, but I suppose the RTYC is a bit 'grande', in the nicest way.
Now, let me see. CheapSeatsTrains - about £80 at best. Taxi to/from local station - £24. Overnight in London - about £120 at Union Jack Club. New frock/shoes/handbag.... ( no idea, but also no way out! ) Maybe a new shirt and tie for me - £20-30 in M&S. Oh, nearly forgot - Lunch, dinner and breakfast for two - would £100 cover it, or should we take sandwiches and a flask...? Oh, I see it's mid-week, so that's time off work, too.
That's well uphill of £340, even ignoring ( ! ) the obligatory new regalia for the missus.
It sez here - 'Tickets are £50 per person'. Eh? That'll be £100 for a couple of flutes of Cava and some posh crisps, I guess. Or tomato juice for the religious...
So, not much change out of £500 then.
You know what? I think I'll decline, pleading another engagement. For my £50 I can get a Tesco - or even an M&S - Dinner For Two AND a 6-pack of Cava. Put a log on the fire and a movie on the 'player. No missing the train 'cos of taxi cockups. No embarassingly long speeches to endure. No self-congratulatory boaty journos to avoid. No subscription touts.
I'll send them a 25th Birthday email.
Wow! That's more than a Garden Party or an Investiture, but I suppose the RTYC is a bit 'grande', in the nicest way.
Now, let me see. CheapSeatsTrains - about £80 at best. Taxi to/from local station - £24. Overnight in London - about £120 at Union Jack Club. New frock/shoes/handbag.... ( no idea, but also no way out! ) Maybe a new shirt and tie for me - £20-30 in M&S. Oh, nearly forgot - Lunch, dinner and breakfast for two - would £100 cover it, or should we take sandwiches and a flask...? Oh, I see it's mid-week, so that's time off work, too.
That's well uphill of £340, even ignoring ( ! ) the obligatory new regalia for the missus.
It sez here - 'Tickets are £50 per person'. Eh? That'll be £100 for a couple of flutes of Cava and some posh crisps, I guess. Or tomato juice for the religious...
So, not much change out of £500 then.
You know what? I think I'll decline, pleading another engagement. For my £50 I can get a Tesco - or even an M&S - Dinner For Two AND a 6-pack of Cava. Put a log on the fire and a movie on the 'player. No missing the train 'cos of taxi cockups. No embarassingly long speeches to endure. No self-congratulatory boaty journos to avoid. No subscription touts.
I'll send them a 25th Birthday email.
