We took a taxi round to Chesterton this evening for Alistair’s barbecue. His friends are a pleasant crowd and the evening was a welcome break from my spiralling thoughts.

The lighting accelerator for the charcoal briquettes had the appearance of shaving foam, but failed to catch light. This led to a series of ever-more abject attempts to light the fire. Funny, given that the human race mastered this technique several thousand years ago. But they didn't have patios.

When a few sheets of cardboard finally managed the job, the accelerator simply melted into the base of the barbecue before burning spectacularly. It didn’t do any harm to the food, and we were all pleasantly tipsy by the end of the evening.

We played a game called “Cranium” which my team lost, because of my substandard impersonation of Kenneth Williams. Now that should shock you.

Alfred had too much wine and vodka. When he’s drunk, he becomes pleasant, sparkling, chatty and even garrulous. Not like the normal Alfred, reserved, gleaning rather than giving, daydreaming but sharp. He voiced his opinion on a painting, not once, but seven times, to my amusement. He fell asleep as soon as we were home, and muttered in Cantonese all night.

Posted by nathan at May 4, 2003 11:14 PM

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