We had tonight one of the dinners for male friends and family that I put on about 3 times a year. I cook for the dinners concerned so a certain bravery is required to attend. I usually cook some form of mince and tonight I made chili con carne, which generally works well with help of certain sachets
As usual I got Graham up from Victoria for the dinner and it was mainly my doing that I was able to get Paul along too. Present were Paul, Graham, Joe and myself.
It was a great evening with lots of well-informed comments about American politics. Mr Trump was the center of attention, of course and we wondered about how iconoclastic he is.
Joe had given me a bottle of a single malt -- Laphroiag -- for my birthday so I decided to give everyone a "wee dram", using my collection of port glasses. And Graham had brought with him some Irish beer. So we were able to honour the Scottish custom of whisky with a beer chaser. Graham was particularly impressed by the Laphroaig
But the highlight of the evening for me was my acquisition of a sword and a dagger. The Sword was a 1909 British cavalry sword in amazingly original condition, including the leather straps. Graham bought it for a large sum at a militaria show at my request.
But the dagger was amazing too. I had owned for many years a rusty old dagger that had seen better days. Graham undertook to rehabilitate it last time he was here and brought it up with him tonight. It was a work of art. Graham is a very able craftsman. I think it is the best present I have ever been given. He made a new handle for it out of a deer antler and added brasswork. A picture below.
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