"Next time I will peel a bucket of spuds so that all it costs him is the gas. What does one anoint spuds for roasting with that is vegan-edible? Will sunflower oil be as good as goose-grease or duck-grease (both of which are of course not vegetarian) for the spuds?"

Yeah, any vegetable oil will do. Even easier RB is to use *unpeeled* new potatoes. No preperation needed, just toss in a bit of oil (I do 'em in herby oil) chuck in the roasting pan, and straight in hot oven for an hour or so.

Should we put up a token quid or so a head for nibbles? Not just thinking about the landlord, but that bluddy great lump of cheese Pete brought must have cost a wad!