The Imperial...

We all arrived at the imperial - Me, Emma, Rebecca, Chris (Bec's bloke), Sarah, Dave, Hayley and Danielle.

I was a bit scared of leaving my expensive camera unattended so we went to the self-service buffet in a shift pattern. Unfortunately, I left my camera in the capable hands of Danielle and Hayley - hence this pic...

Danielle...

...and this pic...

Danielle avec flowers...

...and this pic...

And Finally...

This pic.

Dave...

They also managed to sneak this one past whilst I was filling up my bucket of 'all you can eat' Chinese food. I was last to leave the buffet area and was laden with what I can only describe as a sweet and sour everest perched upon my plate.

Sweet and Sour...

I heard you shouldn't eat food that is luminous. What the hell - it's all you can eat and it was nice.

Bec and Chris...

You've met Bec already, so may I introduce you to Chris. When Chris isn't working, he likes to fondle moonbeams and eat Tiramasu with a long spoon.

He also likes the odd game of 'Buzz' on the Playstation 2. Emma and I often spend a night over at Bec's playing Buzz. More often than not, I also win. Sorry Chris - I know you hate that.

3 - 2 - 1 - ignition...

As Sarah prepares to break wind, husband Dave prepares to inhale the mixture of aromatic spices and herbs that his missus has just ingested.

I told you I could be sensible.

Sharing food...

As if I would ever do that. That would mean less food for me. That would also mean I may have to make a quadruple trip to the buffet car and that would mean burning much needed calories. No chance.

One pint Chris...

Chris didn't want to come out for a few drinks after the meal because he was tired. After much persuasion he still said no so like a child would, I changed tack and started calling him boring - you know - a bit of friendly peer pressure. To be fair, he did have to work the next day and he had been at work all day as well. From now on, he shall be known as 'One pint Chris'. I'm so gonna get killed for that comment.

Habana...

The Chinese just didn't get it right when they started manufacturing cigars. They didn't even get the name right - They're not called spring rolls mate.

Double vision...

Had I drank too much? Are my eyes deceiving me? I'm sure they've heard the joke a guzillion times but I still find it amusing. I also have a dilemma - Identical twins. If I tell Emma that she is beautiful, does that mean I also think Bec is beautiful? Is that cheating? They are two completely different people, but sometimes (and I mean sometimes) I get them mixed up. Not literally - I don't wake up in bed with Bec and make my excuses - I just sometimes think Bec when I'm talking to Emma and vice versa. Is it me or does anybody else get this - I'll talk to Chris...

Chris...

Emma told me to put this photo in because she said Chris would hate it.

Personally, I happen to think that Chris looks beautiful. I'd marry him if I were female or gay and I think Emma should stop winding him up. Chris - I love you. Will you marry me?

Danielle, again...

She's full of 'all you can eat' and takes a moment to pose for me. Hang on - is that a bit of crispy seaweed I can see lodged between her Maxillary Second Premolar?

The beginning...

The 'adults' had planned to go home whilst us crazy kids wanted to go out for a night on the pop. Hayley can be seen here warming up.

Luke-warm...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that Emma was already 'warmed up'.

Crazy Kids...

Hayley donated one of her 'special' cards to Danielle labelled 'My Hoe' - I'm not entirely sure whether she was being referred to as a piece of gardening equipment made famous by Alan Titchmarsh, or a Lady of the night made famous by, well, people like Hugh Grant.

The 'Adults'...

From left to right - Chris, Dave, Sarah and Hayley. With the exception of Hayley, and the addition of Bec, these were the adults. As mentioned previously, they had opted out of a night on the razz and wanted to go home and tend to household duties like ironing, watching who wants to be a millionaire and such. We, however, decided to paint the town red and try and consume as much alcoholic beverages as possible within a short space of time and not much room in our stomachs - we did eat, afterall, 'all we could eat'.

Maybe not an adult afterall...

Bec showed her childish side when she pretended to get force-fed into the giant dragon's mouth by the others. We tried one last guilt trip by telling Bec how much she would miss out on but there was just no change of mind. We missed you Bec - 'twas a shame you couldn't make it.

Well - that was the end of the meal. What did the kids get upto in the City? Click below to go to part 3 of the Trilogy...