I managed to tempt the ROT crew back to Balham for the first time in over a year despite a last minute hi-jack attempt by Bascy. No doubt they were tempted by the offer of 50% of the food that I had managed to negotiate.

We gathered at The Nightingale, which it turns out is practically Newts’ local as it only took him 2 ½ hours to get there, which pleased him no end. It’s a cracking venue, one of the last of the old time boozers still standing (like most of ROT).

Packed out on a Tuesday with a real mix of punters. The beer was fine with most people drinking the local Wandle  which we managed to drink the pub dry of.

I also had Miss Scotland (oh-err!) ,one of the range of Caledonian themed beers on offer. Fruity and a bit stronger that the Wandle but very drinkable.

Papadums, popadoms...whatever, were average with very small portions of pickle soon running out. We then perused our menu’s which were adorned with a picture of Shilpa Shetty. Most Brits will know her from her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother where she accused some of her charming house mates of racism. Jo O'Meara (who she?)  reportedly suggested that “Indians were thin because they are always ill as a result of undercooking their food” ....shame that Indian food hasn’t had quite that effect on some of ROT’s waistlines.

After a very long wait we received our food. I had a Biryani for the first time and found it very tasty although it did look very plain and looked like it was missing something....like my lime pickle, which never turned up.. I tried a couple of other dishes and they both were good. I didn’t get much feedback from the other members but I presume they were happy.

During the meal there was plenty of fun and laughter...but I had to listen to a detailed technical explanation of the Toyota accelerator pedal recall disaster. I think Bogga must have been listening in as he was soon dozing away and dribbling like a baby.

The bill arrived and Mr Bate took command....result was a 30% instead of 50% discount! and £20 in his back pocket. Apparently we had also spent over a ton on booze (another ROT record)............ BYO next time??

We all left in fine spirits, I cycled the short distance home ,some members went back to the pub for a nightcap and Thomo boarded his usual sleeper train to Reading.

One last point, where the hell where the After Eights? a bill for over £200 and not a chocolate mint in sight. Back to Mr Dey’s next time for ‘drink on house’.