The Party with Plenty of Pimms.

There has been a long tradition in our family, strangely enough relating to the consumption of alcohol. At major celebrations, for as long as any of us can remember (and probably dating back to our English heritage) copious amounts of Pimms number 1 cup are served to all and sundry. For those unfamiliar with the tradition of Pimms, please allow me to explain.

Pimms is a brown, gin based spirit that contains numerous fermented fruits and smells rather like English Christmas cake. It is served with Ginger Ale, Lemonade and Soda Water and garnished with a skewer that holds a glace cherry, slice of orange and a piece of cucumber peel. The remainder of the cucumber (for those really up with English tradition) is made into cucumber sandwiches.

By the end of Saturday afternoon, Mr Vett and I must have served approximately sixty litres of this brilliant drink - you see Pimms does not taste alcoholic in the slightest while being quite... potent (?) so the guests don't know they're getting drunk and suddenly wonder why they are all talking to eachother in such a friendly manner. Of course we did have one small problem when we actually ran out of the spirit and had to find someone sober enough to make the journey for more... but that is not a story I shall recount here.

Jiblets says: "May the Pimms be always in your hand this summer, and fly safely if you have the privelidge (rubber chickens only fly when propelled by unfriendly guests)"