On the eve of his fifty-first birthday we were honoured and privileged with the company of longtime pie-comrade Tom Leader. Tom's fiftieth year was well starred for travel, including membership of the Caravan Club and a spell under burlap, but for the time being the peregrinations have concluded at Plumstead [not the Common]. He joined Edward and me unannounced on the 13.03 from Liverpool Street, which service delivered us to the quieter end of Europe's longest street market in good time for lunch at 13.20.

Both exterior and interior of L. Manze, established 1929, provided pleasing prospects for the hungry trio. Gleaming windows, white tiles and high-gloss ceilings enhance this ornate and dazzling hall of mirrors.

If you're in the mood for refection accompanied by infinite reflection, this is definitely the place for you.

I didn't get to the bottom of '2 Kid Friday', but other important paperwork at the till included an appointment with Walthamstow's health and safety officer and a sizeable Gregory Peck. I believe the two items are unrelated.

Leader led the queue and bagged the last of the hot eels, much to my chagrin. I suppose it was his birthday after all; after eel, even. We were cheered by the presence of Peter Riley, another of our reformed ex-punks who on this day was singing the praises of Rod Stewart's consummate showmanship at a Twickenham concert a few years ago. [His wife had made him go.]

The Club's own 'Young Turk' is Edward Mosse, who was bound for Twickenham the very next day to cheer on his beloved Wasps. Edward is seen here sporting the ludicrously trendy 'double-denim' look.

David Arkel's mash-free first course.

Dave shows complete control of the season[ing], for, with his second helping he pretty much wrapped up League 2009-2010. The striped one maintained decorum throughout, correctly ignoring a phone call from his missus.

A brace of Manze's pies. For that 'golden brown, texture like sun' we have seen none better this season.

I got chatting to these happy diners; if memory serves, Lee and Jackie. Lee first dined here many years ago as a stallholder on the market and has been a regular since. They were just about to deliver a take-out meal to Jackie's mother; what devotion to a noble cause!

Manze's is so bright one is fully justified in the use of protective goggles. What a nice pair of tints Terry Cecil has.

This is International Sign Language for 'Edward Mosse is still eating.'

But dear o dear o dear, Terence, this is not the preferred mode of conduct in the Pie and Mash Club; minus five points. Despite appearances, Terry was not accompanied by a mystery lady in a yashmak.

Kathleen has served with distinction for the past 24 years. As you might imagine her question to the Pie and Mash Club was pointed: 'What do you think of the pies then?'

With Mister Sharp sporting a fetching cerise mackintosh, I was for once at a loss for words to describe his look. Despite Sharp's gurning, the club was very much satisfied with the Manze's E17 experience.

A well-deserved tea break.

My thanks to Tom for a refreshingly good photograph.

St@