Chairs and drinks

Today I had a Farnham Talking Newspaper to present.

It was going really well. I had a pretty good team and there were a few laughs along the way. Then, just as I was reaching the end of my Sports Report, disaster struck.

I had asked the team what a lacrosse ‘bat’ was called (it’s a stick) and started to say “Now, finally…” but didn’t get very far because the chair I was sitting on collapsed beneath me.

The studio erupted into hysteria (mostly mine). From the other side of the desk I was just a head peeping above the table surface. Next to me, Martin the engineer was frantically trying to stop the recording and keep from laughing too much.

Eventually I was asked if I was okay. Through my laughter I said I was fine because I landed on the chair cushion. I also said I was glad it happened to me and not someone with a heart condition. It was so sudden and unexpected that I reckon an already weak heart would just close its eyes and stop.

Once decorum had returned to the studio (after the recording of the moment of descent had been replayed a few times for the general amusement of all) I finished the recording standing up. I was offered a couple of chairs but said I felt safer standing.

All in all, it was a very funny recording session.

After walking the dogs and giving them a bath, I headed into London.

Ages ago, Nicktor had arranged with Sleazy and me for the three of us to meet up for a drink. There’s been a few cancellations and rearranged dates but tonight, finally, we managed it.

It was a lovely night with some delicious beer (6X on tap…bliss) and funny conversation. Actually, poor Nicktor came a bit a-cropper at one stage. He was explaining to Sleazy how boring I was because of my obsession with container ships but fell on his face when Sleazy started talking about the new Rolls Royce crew-less container ships that are currently in development (there’s an article here).

Anyway, we had Thai for tea in the back of the pub then were back at Waterloo in time for the 10 o’clock train.

A not very good photo of Nicktor and Sleazy