Eleven keen munchkins descended upon Clark's in Exmouth Market for a bumper festive edition of Pie and Mash. Messers and Muckers Lucas and Hollingsworth arrived early and were well tucked in by the time the rest of us turned up.

The service was, as ever, unhurried but not without a great deal of charm and humour, and it was nice to see a few old faces packing into the booths for some cockle-warming stodge. There were no concessions to festive fadishness here, despite my politest enquiries re mince pies, christmas pud and hidden sixpences. Definitely a place to recommend to the humbug in your life.

Half a dozen or so apple pies and custard were pre-booked to avoid disappointment; judging by the pursed lips and poised incisors they were baked in the vicinity of the earth's core.

It was a pleasure to take in the sartorial elegance and beaming smile of Mr Tony Chung, both of which I fancy he was sporting in anticipation of a Christmas spent in the company of a mysterious 'lady in Dulwich'. More details were not forthcoming.

And there's newcomer Tom Leader, getting into the spirit of the season(ing) with his second helping of eels. Those glasses were made for peering over, but I'll wager his backup pair are in the style of Dennis Taylor circa 1983.

Here's that man-of-Epping James King Edward Tanner, latterly known acronymically as 'Jet'. The Wings song might well have been written for him:

'Jet! Niff The Wind In Your Chair From A Thousand Paces. Climb On The Bus And We'll Go For A Pie In The Sky.' Definitely ripe for a Chas'n'Dave rendition, methinks.

Just over yonder is the hirsute Benjamin X Hayes, master and commander, revealing his lethal spoon technique. 'Tis mightier than the sword. But not as mighty as the pen is.

And lo, it was all over too quickly, and we found ourselves on the top deck of the 341 contemplating a windswept Waterloo sunset. (Chas'n'Dave again?). Farewell 04!