Sunday, 16 November 2014

The Deeping Don turns 80

He's the King in town. The Don Corleone of Deeping St. James. Giuseppe Morello, minus the claw. Celebrations for Grandpop's birthday began on Thursday, with a meeting of the men. We were a posse of pushermen, extortionists and counterfeit GBP bill printers.. Or at least we would be if that was Dundee's thing. But for the record, it isn't. He's more homegrown tomato's and butternut squash. But don't get it twisted, his produce is the finest in the land.

As a little context, for those who don't know the boss, Dundee is G's official a.k.a. Owing to a certain Australian, Crocodile Dundee style hat he frequently rocks. 

The venue then; The Bluebell Pub in Maxey. The very same place Dundee was born exactly 80 years ago. The pub was not your average gathering place for the local River Island models who like to get tipsy off Smirnoff Ice. But rather more, 'mind your head or you might accidentally walk into the ceiling'. A quiet place in a small sleepy village. An ideal location for The Don to get the low down on his various business activities. 

Over a few beers, topics of discussion included a hilarious recollection of how Uncle Kevin helped the blue team win on Bargain Hunt (by accidentally winning a bid for a piece of old tat), Wayne Rooney (don't ask), the best Christmas commercial (decisive win for Sainsbury's with The Football Match [unlucky JL]) and the stuffed animals which surrounded us (and I'm not talking the Bear Factory kind). 

With the "children not allowed beyond 7:30pm" sign on the wall, we wondered what kind of parent would allow their child in the first place to go to a pub in which two stuffed squirrels appeared to be doing the 'naughty thing' in the window. 

A great way to spend the evening, nonetheless. Lots of good laughs, relaxed, and in bed before 12, ready to put in the last shift of the week before the main event on Saturday evening. 


Venue number two; Hong Kong.. in Stamford that is, not the country. A Chinese restaurant. What mafia boss doesn't love to go out for some chow with his family? And boy was it some good chow! Starters of ribs, prawn toast, seaweed and, agreeably, the tastiest chicken skewers with peanut sauce the boys and I had ever tasted (I think my young bro Darius may have licked the saucer clean).

 As Theo and I wondered where we might purchase a few pints of their peanut sauce and a loaf or two of their prawn toast, the second course soon arrived. Three or four small dishes of what I was sure to be hoisin sauce arrived at the table. This could mean only one thing. The pancakes which followed saw our prayers answered. Duck was on its way. A rare treat. Dundee clearly knew what he was doing when picking the menu. 
Now it's been a long time since the brothers and I have been to a sit down Chinese that wasn't an all you can eat. But word from cousin Rob is that the main part of the meal is still to come. So we're geeked! We're in food heaven. 

With the main course, comes the main challenge of the evening. Chop stix. Having never had much opportunity to try it, I would first like to point out that two handed just doesn't work. However, we couldn't embarass The Don by asking for a knife and fork. So, following a quick lesson, Theo and I just about got the hang of it (aside from the odd sweet and sour stain on the white table cloth, and of course, the unavoidable rice grains which littered the area surrounding our bowls). 

Everybody was good at this stage. Approximately 16 food babies (and one real one) were now at the table with us. After a clear up, cake was on its way. Happy Birthday rang out, accompanied by singing and some clapping from a certain Uncle, which somehow almost drowned out the entire song. Once the clapping had stopped (5 minutes after the song had ended), Dundee blew out his candles and there was still time for a quick snap with all the grand kids..


*Top of the tree, Mick Dundee*

I've almost forgotten about the fortune cookies we left with. I don't really believe in fortunes but still.. My fortune? 'Soon you will be standing on top of the world.' I won't believe in it because the cookie told me, but surely, everyone has to try and believe in this one as standard. Unless of course you've already made it there..

Hats off then to man at the top. The Don of Deeping St. James. King of the castle. Hope you had a good 80th. We certainly all enjoyed it! 









 






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