Richard!! Oh Richard, darling!!
Come, come! Come out through the French doors and join us on the patio!
The cha-wallah has brewed a rather decent Darjeeling, and I have added the bergamot myself. We are all just about to have some Tea.

I'm afraid Reggie had to go down to see those M.O.D. chaps in London. Apparently there is some sort of hoo-ha going on in Rhodesia. It's all hush-hush at the moment, so I can't say anymore.
Can't for the life of me think what Smith would want now, after all these years!
Blasted cheek, if you ask me.

Reggie sends his regards, and asked me to ask you to remember him to dear Victor. Reginald didn't elaborate, but I think it had something to do with a bash at the MCC a few years back after some famous Test win over pakistan or someone. Oh Reggie could cut quite a step in those days, I can tell you!
But let us sit, Richard, along with all our new chums, and let us remember our glorious past, and absent friends who are no longer with us any more.
Oh Joy! Oh England!

Let us lower the flag on this glorious day,
and stand in salute of it's sons.
Let us sound once the cannon and shout 'hip hurrah!'
'Cos we shoved it right into those Huns.
We were fond, I recall, of our masterly throne,
(we perfected the fine art of leisure).
With our ships at full-mast; port side out, starboard home,
Cutting swathes through our enemies' treasures.

There were times in our past; T'was to live or to die!,
with our honour and destiny gainsaid.
That we stood on the bridge in the face of the Host,
who were barely a tad more than brain-dead.
But let's rake not the past, for the grief is too great,
Let us savour these moments of pleasance.
Let's all raise a glass; 'Jolly England!' we cry.
As we drink to it's sad de-tumescence.

:) H. H-S

(Just another one of my little offerings!)