GOOD REASONS TO PLAY CRICKET

There are some remarkably skeevy types roaming the streets after dark. Not all of them are tourists passing through, some of them look they've been here too long. If I were a woman I should like to study krav maga or kickboxing just in case any of them become problematic. As a man I am of course a little taller, and much more likely to strike them fiercely with my stick. Maybe women should carry sticks too?

Or chainsaws. There would be far fewer problems in this world, guaranteed, if the feminine gender always had chainsaws at hand.

The bookseller arrived at the appointed time. We passed by the karaoke joint on the way to burgers. Crowds inside, ghastly sounds, and very evident misbehaviour. That, too, would be alleviated considerably by chainsaws.

In fact, I can think of any number of situations where a chainsaw would come in handy.


The beer place was too crowded afterwards, the karaoke joint sounded precisely like a bunch of blobbo sealions at the pier asserting themselves, and there were one or two stumblesome people on the way to the sanctuary which we headed towards.
Miss Vivian was on vacation, so a replacement was behind the bar.
Who already knew about my teabags.

After two hot cups of tea and pipeful of Virginia flake (me), a pint of guiness and a glass of whiskey (the bookseller), the conversation naturally veered into discussing cricket. Which presently I sadly cannot play because my legs are a problem. Once I've had the peripheral angioplasties on the lower extremities done, I shall be much more athletic (hah!) but I still won't be able to play cricket because I don't know how. It apparently involves running, wickets, Parsees, and cucumber sandwiches in the pavilion.
That last actually sounds rather nice.


Personally, I would suggest that cream cheese and capers are necessary inclusions for the cucumber sandwiches, and use toasted sourdough bread. But that's just me, and I don't play cricket, so it's probably heretical. The classic English cucumber sandwich consists of raw sliced white bread with butter, thinly cut cucumber, salt and pepper.
The Australians undoubtedly add Vegemite.


My friend the bookseller mentioned a grilled eggplant on focaccia, one of his favourite suppers at a local place near his house. Apparently there is no dignified way to eat that. It becomes messy. My own experience is the meatball on focaccia sandwich there, which is also deliciously messy. That may have something to do with why we don't play cricket.

Cucumbers with dry salami and spicy mustard. Also nice.
I fondly recall that from several years ago.
Remember to toast the bread.



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