Oh she of little faith

Photoshop? Moi?

Our soon to be betrothed chum sent me an email earlier today intimating that she thought I have been up to no good with Photoshop with regard to the provenance of the boat race victory photograph you see above. For those who remain to be convinced, a visit to the following site should offer some verification of my misdemeanours. Unless, of course, you believe I would set up a fake website and pay to maintain http://www.theboatrace.org/ and morphing myself onto the victory celebration photograph whilst nursing the mother of all hangovers yesterday morning, that is. Properly considered, I suppose I should be flattered!

Fat Neck - The return of the red jumper

Bottom left just in case your eyesight is poor

Just in case you missed the ITV coverage of the 154th University Boat Race on Saturday (which included 1 hour 15 minutes of “build up”, but omitted the Isis-Goldie race), you might have missed the "extra member" of the Oxford crew who helped his Father’s alma mater celebrate their 74th victory in the race with them on the podium in front of a mere 100 million worldwide viewers and was drenched in Champagne for his trouble. Watch closely at aprox. 1 minute 40 seconds for a chap in a red jumper and a receding hairline, who was greeted in the post-race reception by an American member of the Oxford crew with the words, “Hey, you’re the guy from the podium”. Karl Power eat your heart out!

Rohan at Easter

Dinner time

With Grandad George at the rugby on Saturday

With "Mama pub" in the Jolly on Sunday lunchtime

Rohan displaying his usual sunny disposition

Wales was bloody cold over the Easter weekend, but the welcome was as warm as ever. We managed to melt some crackling, watch Nicholas’s team win 47-0 in gale force winds (he doesn’t run much nowadays during the match) and get sloshed up the Jolly. Twice. Anyway, here’s Rohan, who as you can see, enjoyed the weekend to the full.

All Bar those who sent their apologies.

Bushy, Huffy & Fluffy

Dan & Jane, on the way back from her National Socialist meeting

R.Naomi & Tiger Woods

Ming, who was very much looking forward to seeing Mother Bush over the Easter weekend

Sharon Bush, who left her Mother home alone for the evening

Your corrospondent and the birthday girl

Bush & Anita

A few photographs from Liz’s birthday at All Bar One last Thursday. A good time was had by all, despite the unexciting venue. Proof, if any were necessary, that it’s the company that counts on such occasions.

16 minutes of fame

The victorious Cambridge crew last year

A coxless four from 2006. The boat race is hard work, as you can see.

We got past them last year. Twice.

Your correspondent is delighted to announce that the following have been selected to defend the honour of our former fenland home in the annual gathering on the banks of the Thames this Saturday. The crew list for lunch at the Coach & Horses on Kew Green, as declared at the weigh-in yesterday, reads as follows:

Reynolds “Reynolds” Reynolds (Homerton)
Weight – “Don’t be cheeky”

Liz “Huffin” Howard (APU)
Weight – “I haven’t looked since we went to Wales at the weekend”

Toto “Fluffy” Patel (APU)
Weight – “Sthlimer than lasth year”

Comrade “Brick” Ralli (APU)
Weight – “Yes Matt. It’s a new top”

Sober “Dave” Williams (APU)
Weight – “What for. Are you going to be late? Disgraceful.”

Matt “Soon to be 40” Howard (APU)
Weight – “Up and down”

Due to prior commitments, the ladies are expected to retire after the port. Sober and I shall plough on manfully as usual and do battle with the Royal Marines who are due to man the gates again this year, and it will be recorded on film as is customary for those who are not in a position to attend.

Kick off is 5.15pm. You know who to cheer for.

Happy days with Huffin the Puffin

14 years in my company has not immeasurably improved her mood, you will be surprised to read

Many happy returns of the day to ‘er indoors, who has reached the grand old age of 33 today. Quite whether I shall make it to my 40th birthday after she has seen this is another matter all together, but as they say in my ex-wives club, if you can’t take the joke, you shouldn't have joined. And they say that your school days are the best days of your life. I think they meant your post-school days, especially those spent with a loving, caring and thoughtful husband.

Happy birthday Wood.

Anthony Minghella RIP

Just in case you missed the news yesterday, your correspondent at Peter’s Friends is very sad to announce the death of the acclaimed director Anthony Minghella, the man who gave Ming his nickname. I telephoned Bush yesterday lunch time to break the news to her, and received the following email at 3.31pm.

So far Toto and Kirsty have both emailed me to tell me the sad news about Minghella. I'm now expecting my mother will call me shortly....

There’s many a true word said in jest, but as Ming put it in an email later yesterday afternoon,

Thanks Matt, as you can see ‘rumours of my demise have been greatly exaggerated’ ; )

"Nobody puts Baby’s BBQ demonstration in the corner of Harvey Nicks food hall, Baby."

Light fuse and retire to a safe distance….

Today’s riddle. He eats more fruit than an African, defecates for his county, supports a third division football team, has 2 Dad’s, 2 Knob’s, a mother-in-law with her own set of keys, likes a Bud or two and ducks more bouncers than Geoffrey Boycott. He’s also a good egg, and a splendid Father from what I’ve seen, although I expect to be chinned for the picture. Just in case there are not enough clues contained thus far, the prize of a pearl neckless for the first correct answer pulled out of my pith helmet might give the game away as to the identity of today’s mystery friend of Peter…..

Amos Brearley eat you heart out

"Would you like to come up to the bridal suite for some photos later, Helen?"

"I couldn't possibly entertain such an with a man of whiskers your size, Mr Mulholland!"

Peter’s Friends doesn’t usually do requests, but as a special concession to Shteeeeve, we are delighted to reproduce a picture of the dress that sunk a thousand Sweeney’s at the wedding of the same name, as sported by the greatest sport of all, Red Bush. Well, she has to be with a friend like me, doesn’t she? Good call, Shteeeve. As I said on the day the photo was taken, amongst our friends, when listed in order of attractiveness, I would put Bush in the top 10 every time. And you can’t say fairer than that, can you?

PS Hope you like the cameo of Scott, doing his best Harry Worth impression.

Mike in da Hood

Where's International Rescue when you need them?

As he didn't want to be left out, Bush was kind enough to forward this picture of Ming in his graduation robes from Leicester University. Whilst surmising that they obviously knew a thing or two about how to dress up at Leicester, I think you will all agree that hasn't changed a bit.