The Big Hound 0

It's that time of life, retirement parties and 50th birthday bashes are becoming way more prevalent than stag parties and head-wetting. But who would have thought the former would precede the latter.

Cast - In Order of Appearance

Steve showed up first, business is good at JRP and thankfully its good that one of us still has his shoulder to Industry's wheel. They're even selling a product called "Guaranteed Income For Life" but I don't think it'll catch on.

Myself next - hotfooting it from nowhere in particular. The most productive thing I'd done in the day was empty the vacuum cleaner of fluff.

Graham was third in, full from his diet of cricket, golf and tennis. Not as full as Leeds' old and Mansfield's new manager, approx. 20 stone in a grass skirt. He'll get along fine.

Next up, the main man, briefly accompanied by Tina. House move and back operations both imminent. Lots going on.

Then there was Kevster, fingers in more pies than a blind butcher. Lets hope the business of the day was satisfactorily concluded.

Next man in, Bruce (works best here in a high voice, I can't do it). Easily the most travelled of the group and an internet sensation. Going off him already.

And bringing up the rear, oh stop it, we had Pete. Looking remarkably svelte actually but that's what a bout of beaver fever does for.

With a common interest in beer, pub quizzes and at sometime in their lives worked at Umbrella Towers, they are the Hound.

We kicked off with one of those Word Ladder things, the final answer was either THREW or THREE. I don't think it mattered.

In the news were Sting, Carrie Fisher and Danny Baker. For once, Brexit wasn't.

Of geographical interest were Mexico, Kazakhstan and Birmingham. We spent a while trying to work out which of Dorset and Devon had more Regis's. Other than continually offering Cyrille I was no help at this point.

What linked Terry Venables, McLaren and Slade? Porridge of course with Daren having the insight to spot it first, it says here.

I'd say something about the 10 pointers but I can't read Graham's writing. Time for a toast.

We got stuck on the Linkup Round until a Hiro came to our rescue.

Onto Jeopardy and what colour is the Ferrari horse? And which is the longest tube line? Time for another picture.

Ok, it isn't clear but that red one is pretty long. We didn't know it, we had 8 confidently with a good shout at the ninth. But we had to declare at that point.

Music, and a singalong to Antmusic and Country House ensued. We'd had a few at this point.

Results, would our effort be enough? No, the Anoraks had bagged the Jeopardy. Well played to them, but tonight wasn't about winning.