A2K London gathering - Francis tells his story.

and this pub serves good meals 50 yards from our friends house

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~cornwall/parish/images/Silver%20ball%20Pubsign_jpg.jpg

Quote, "D'accord, Monsieur Francis - or should that be, de acrodo, Senhor Francis?" Jeeesh! This was going to be "one of my secrets" I was going to share. I guess Monsieur Francis will continue to be a mystery - Monsieur or Senhor or something entirely different. It really doesn't matter though, cause Francis is a gentleman with smiles ready for all.

BTW, just arrived home about two hours ago, and I'm now reliving the 14 of May; seems like more than a few days ago. Took the United flight out of Heathrow at 10:05AM, and arrived at SFO about 10.5 hours later. My wife was waiting for me at the airport, and she took me out for lunch before coming home. Does life get any better than this?

Welcome home to California, CI!

Thanks, osso. Did you enjoy your "vacation?"

Here he is, and made it home safely.
Welcome back cicerone!

Yes osso, did you enjoy NM? Are you going to move there?

You came home, and didn't have to sample your wife's cooking? Sounds like bliss to me! :wink:

(no reflection on Mrs c.i., of course!)

McTag, My wife rarely cooks, because it's only the two of us. I'm not a picky eater, so I eat most things that's not prepackaged frozen meals from the super.

You look well on it.
You run well on it, too.
Moderation in all things, that's the ticket.

(although they do say- "If a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing to excess!")

The only thing I permit myself any excess is Travel, but there are limits to that based on the cash in my bank account.

Thes jokers on the pub sign look as if they were drawn from life

Roger Daltrey, "Tommy"

Ever since I was a young boy, I played the silver ball
From Soho down to Brighton, I must've played them all
But I ain't seen nothing like him, in any amusement hall
That deaf, dumb and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pinball

<Yes, CJane, I am, but it'll be a few months - I have lots and lots to do to make the move.>

For a Sunday Morning singalong:

Ever since I was a young boy,
I've played the silver ball.
From Soho down to Brighton
I must have played them all.
But I ain't seen nothing like him
In any amusement hall...
That deaf dumb and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pin ball !
He stands like a statue,
Becomes part of the machine.
Feeling all the bumpers
Always playing clean.
He plays by intuition,
The digit counters fall.
That deaf dumb and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pin ball !
He's a pin ball wizard
There has to be a twist.
A pin ball wizard,
S'got such a supple wrist.
'How do you think he does it?
(I don't know!)
What makes him so good?'
He ain't got no distractions
Can't hear those buzzers and bells,
Don't see no lights a flashin'
Plays by sense of smell.
Always gets a replay,
Never seen him fall,
That deaf dumb and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pin ball.
I thought I was
The Bally table king.
But I just handed
My pin ball crown to him.
Even on my favorite table
He can beat my best.
His disciples lead him in
And he just does the rest.
He's got crazy flipper fingers
Never seen him fall...
That deaf dumb and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pin ball.!!!!!

The pub sign must be unique.

Every 3 1/3 years when your Jupiter is in conjunction with Uranus or something like that

they beat a mysterious silver ball from one end of the little town to the other.

Those that survive are entitled to free Tinners Ale (with added salts of lead and mercury) until once again the silver ball appears and they beat it all the way back.

The population of this delightful (truly) little place has declined sadly in recent years.

I'm singing

'thou I was more rocker affiliated myself. Couldn't understand how those scooters stayed upright with all those chrome mirrors.

sure plays a mean pin ball

damn it cant get the tune out of my head I have a german earwig (you see you do learn something on a2k)

a) civilized
b) broad
c) St Columbs Major and Minor well known to me - how about lunch in Totnes on your way down? It's not a huge deviation to come by the A38 southern route...
when are you coming? Sorry I didn't see this post until today. Caught up in France.

Clary, seems the party continues.

Yes, yes, do come to sunny Devon.... mind you I'll be in Edgware on Friday...party at your place?

Well we could!

Depends on our travel arrangements, and those have yet to be finalised!

More later.

When are you travelling back from Edware to Totnes?

Clary, are you serious?

I'd love to meet up with you. I'm free in the afternoon.

Any chance?