A trip into uncharted territory for the club, this particular Friday lunchtime found us in the rarified latitudes of Shepherd's Pie, W12.

Just as we were tucking in with spoon and fork, we were treated to a guest appearance by West Londoner Mr Tony Chung, at which point we opted to dine at the 'breakfast bar' area on securely mounted stools. The ambience was dark brown and pink.

Pies were of uniform size and 'crimp', testimony to the shop's unique pie-making machine which has a top speed of 1000 pph.

Despite the automation, flavour and consistency were of a uniform high quality, the liquor presented as unusually flavoursome, and the eels were good to firm. The only minus was a slight West London bias in the prices.

At just after 1.50, we were joined by fellow pie fancier Tom Leader, who had been slyly observing the antics from a quiet corner table. Tom will have some way to go before he can be a leader by nature; over-consumption produces in him the disastrous side effect of premature hibernation. Nevertheless it was a welcome surprise to be joined by another enthusiast. Thanks, Internet.

On the way back to the Bush, we took a 'sheepish' peek at Jumbucks, the 'Jaffle Pie' Shop. The ambience was stripped pine and bright orange, and Richard Lucas detected a 'funny smell'; not a place to linger. In a chilling vision of a world turned upside down, the pies looked like flying saucers massing for an (Austr-)Alien Invasion. I remain suspicious, and advise extereme caution.