Doty's Triumphant Return - London, Friday, February 15th

[Chris Doty]

Gents,

After an inexcusably long absence, I have finally booked tickets to return to London over Presidents' Day Weekend (February 15th - 18th), and plan to sponsor a port tasting in honor of my TPF friends. AHB probably knows a few of the bottles I will have in tow, but for the most part my intention is to bring some blind treasures and see if anyone can guess what they may be.

In terms of venue/placemats, I'd certainly welcome some local logistical support if someone would like to volunteer.

So, chime in with availability. I look forward to finally catching up with you guys in a few weeks!!

Warm Regards
Chris

[benread]

I shall do my best to create a pass. Having just cancelled a boys weekend to act as nursemaid to a sick wife, I think my chances are good!

[jdaw1]

placemats

Surely me. Yes. Instruct.

venue

The obvious choice is the The Bung Hole, 57 High Holborn, London WC1V 6DT.

my TPF friends

I would be honoured to be included, and shall seek permission.

[Chris Doty]

That's the spirit, chaps!

Re: placemats...all bottles will be brought blind, served in flights of 2. I have identified 10 bottles so far, but may get up to 12 in the days ahead. As names for the individual circles, iIm thinking perhaps each guest could email jdaw a one word description of myself or the period of time I spent in london (though please do your best to avoid profanity, as tempting as it may be!). I may even bring a reward for whoever is judged to have summed me up best.

re: venue, the bung hole, while perhaps having a different connotation in English than in American, should be a perfectly suitable venue, and please feel free to let them know that we're coming

re: friends, of course that's a silly question, and I would be sincerely disappointed not to see you. Been too long.

[benread]

iIm thinking perhaps each guest could email jdaw a one word description of myself or the period of time I spent in london (though please do your best to avoid profanity, as tempting as it may be!). I may even bring a reward for whoever is judged to have summed me up best.

I am not sure if you are formally 'Christopher' but were you, and were two words permissable, then I believe the anagram 'Cherish port' would have served me well!

[DRT]

I'm in!

Hmmm? That means I am in London two weekends out of three. Perhaps I should seek permission? Or...

I'm in!

[jdaw1]

perhaps having a different connotation in English than in American

They’re probably the same, which might be why the owner is trying a new rubbish dull corporate name, which we are refusing to use.

[Alex Bridgeman]

perhaps having a different connotation in English than in American

They’re probably the same, which might be why the owner is trying a new rubbish dull corporate name, which we are refusing to use.

Nonsense. Either side of the Atlantic a bung hole is the hole in the barrel into which the bung is driven. What else could it mean? Whatever else it means, it is an excellent choice for the venue. Other venues might be available if TBH is not acceptable. If you are happy to use the Bung Hole then let us know and we'll book the private room.

Friday or Saturday? (And no, I will not get permission for both!) Or Sunday?

[jdaw1]

my TPF friends

I would be honoured to be included, and shall seek permission.

Permission sought, and granted. Praise be to Mrs W.

[DRT]

my TPF friends

I would be honoured to be included, and shall seek permission.

Permission sought, and granted. Praise be to Mrs W.

You are very lucky to have such an understanding and beautiful wife. It is no wonder you go on, and on and on about how wonderful and beautiful she is when we are at Port tastings. Now I understand.

[jdaw1]

my TPF friends

I would be honoured to be included, and shall seek permission.

Permission sought, and granted. Praise be to Mrs W.

You are very lucky to have such an understanding and beautiful wife. It is no wonder you go on, and on and on about how wonderful and beautiful she is when we are at Port tastings. Now I understand.

Well, she is.

[DRT]

my TPF friends

I would be honoured to be included, and shall seek permission.

Permission sought, and granted. Praise be to Mrs W.

You are very lucky to have such an understanding and beautiful wife. It is no wonder you go on, and on and on about how wonderful and beautiful she is when we are at Port tastings. Now I understand.

Well, she is.

What is most remarkable of all is that she had already given permission for this. I think Sainthood must be on her horizon.

[jdaw1]

permission for this

Err, let me check.

[SCP-DFF]

DRT: You've made my day. You have a way with words. I feel like a Goddess. Also, this has inspired me to really want to meet your Mrs. Does she fall under your spell with the sweet talking? Or is she now immune?

Mr W did not tell me about the 26th Feb. There's nothing going on at the Wiseman household except the little monsters doing their usual shenanigans. So, yes, JDAW is free.

As for the 15th, SCP-DFS (formally known as SCP-DFF), has been invited to a night of drinking with fellow moms. I'm taking my husband's port, serving it to the ladies, and we're going to find out how well these Brit women can really drink! There's no competition. I know I can't drink. They'll be happy enough to drink my hubby's port!

Since the wife is out, Julian thought he was in no luck. But the au pair saved the day and offered her babysitting services to watch the kids. Now Julian will be free to join you all and I will have my turn to go out drinking with my fellow lady friends!

Hurray! We all win.

-SCP-DFS

PS - Does Julian really talk about his wife during the port tastings? Surely not. You middle-aged men love to talk about young damsels!

[WS1]

Hi Chris,

I am in England that weekend; thought I take a breather after going to a big Burgundy tasting in Austria the weekend befoer and to a very big CDP tasting the week after. But seeing after such a long period of time; am already looking fwd to it. So would like to attend.

Also am sure to find an excellent bt of port to bring by

regards

WS1

[DRT]

DRT: You've made my day. You have a way with words. I feel like a Goddess. Also, this has inspired me to really want to meet your Mrs. Does she fall under your spell with the sweet talking? Or is she now immune?

I plead the 5th.

PS - Does Julian really talk about his wife during the port tastings? Surely not. You middle-aged men love to talk about young damsels!

Yes, he really does. Whenever the chaps start talking of young damsels our friend from south west London glazes over and starts mumbling under his breath about wishing he was at home with his beloved wife. Sometimes a small tear falls down his cheek. It is a very humbling experience for all of us.

I do hope you enjoy your night with the girls, which you obviously so richly deserve. Don't worry about Julian, we will look after him.

Have the words ‟Taylor” and ‟Vertical” appeared in conversation at Chez Wiseman recently?

[Chris Doty]

I believe the anagram 'Cherish port' would have served me well!

I quite agree -- I can't believe I hadn't noticed that!

Glad you can make it, Ben.

[Chris Doty]

I'm in!

Hmmm? That means I am in London two weekends out of three. Perhaps I should seek permission? Or...

I'm in!

Would expect nothing less from you!

Really looking forward to seeing everyone.

[Chris Doty]

perhaps having a different connotation in English than in American

They’re probably the same, which might be why the owner is trying a new rubbish dull corporate name, which we are refusing to use.

I see....if that is 'Davy's Bar and Grill' than I am 100% with you. That may indeed be the least worthwhile name for a pub since Slug and Lettuce.

Bunghole it is.

[Chris Doty]

I feel like a Goddess....There's nothing going on at the Wiseman household except the little monsters doing their usual shenanigans. So, yes, JDAW is free.

Like what you're doing here.

Now Julian will be free to join you all and I will have my turn to go out drinking with my fellow lady friends! Hurray! We all win.

Excellent!

You middle-aged men

28 hardly seems middle aged to me.

Please consider yourself invited to any tasting I am involved in -- and it sounds like quite a pity that we'll be counting you out of these festivities!

[Chris Doty]

Hi Chris,

I am in England that weekend; thought I take a breather after going to a big Burgundy tasting in Austria the weekend befoer and to a very big CDP tasting the week after. But seeing after such a long period of time; am already looking fwd to it. So would like to attend.

Also am sure to find an excellent bt of port to bring by

regards

WS1

Wolfy!

You're a beast my friend, and I am really thrilled that you are going to come out and help celebrate my return to London. Every tasting is more fun with you present, and I look forward to catching up. Was the Austrian tasting something by Gerhard? I've always wanted to attend one of his events -- seems like a fabulous host.

Anyway, I hope all's well,
Chris

[Chris Doty]

perhaps having a different connotation in English than in American

They’re probably the same, which might be why the owner is trying a new rubbish dull corporate name, which we are refusing to use.

Nonsense. Either side of the Atlantic a bung hole is the hole in the barrel into which the bung is driven. What else could it mean? Whatever else it means, it is an excellent choice for the venue. Other venues might be available if TBH is not acceptable. If you are happy to use the Bung Hole then let us know and we'll book the private room.

Friday or Saturday? (And no, I will not get permission for both!) Or Sunday?

Had to save this one for last.....

Really don't know where to take this one...

Well, in any case -- we are talking the evening of Friday, the 15th. @ the bunghole. You will have special instructions. I will call you sometime this week to discuss.

Can't wait!

[DRT]

This feels like a plan that is very much coming together, but I don't yet understand the theme.

Is it:

1. Bring a bottle of VP wrapped in foil (and hopefully not poured down your leg) to share with Doty, or;

2. Bring some cash to adopt one or more of Doty's bottles?

[DRT]

I feel like a Goddess...

Please consider yourself invited to any tasting I am involved in -- and it sounds like quite a pity that we'll be counting you out of these festivities!

Be very careful here, Chris. It is only with great age and experience that JDAW and I have learned to manage the expectations of a complex creature such as SCP-DFF without her realising what we are up to. Wisdom does indeed come with age.
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[jdaw1]

without her realising what we are up to.

She’ll never guess.