tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644275821862159476.post2161658751243525697..comments2023-10-10T11:41:33.153+01:00Comments on The Armoury: Saturday.Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15107533550298517814noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644275821862159476.post-22844330323318295102014-03-09T21:35:52.789+00:002014-03-09T21:35:52.789+00:00Hi Mike, That sounds like a tiring funeral in the ...Hi Mike, That sounds like a tiring funeral in the very best of ways. I was using the alpha adjective in the zoological behavioural sciences specialized register as a word to designate specimens which exhibit qualities of strength, group domination, leadership and protection. Thought it rather suited you, although you clearly had well qualified back-up by the bucket-full.<br />Nice to find old aquaintances and make new friends. I must try to get to more funerals!Crowbardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01350188604175280097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644275821862159476.post-76537982093091625902014-03-09T15:17:53.747+00:002014-03-09T15:17:53.747+00:00Hello Carl and Jude. Interesting idea of yours re ...Hello Carl and Jude. Interesting idea of yours re funerals. Should perhaps have described the funeral a bit more. <br />Between fifty and sixty people I should think, three quarters of them male, and most of those looked pretty alpha (not sure that those two adjectives go very well together, but I'm sure you'll know what I mean). To give you some idea, many of them antique arms collectors/dealers, and one or two gunsmiths (although these, too looked ex army). The favoured form of dress was light grey flannels, navy blazers and regimental ties. One or two (me included) in the more traditional dark, double breasted suits, black ties and dark grey topcoats. Chaps who would be ready to help in any emergency, but not (to pinch your wording) hugs and hankie dispensers, I'd have thought. There were also a couple of small groups of rather gypsy looking types, but if you remember that Terry was a fairly specialised dealer, and remembering that gypsies tend to come across all types of metalware when dealing, I suppose - not too surprising. Generally speaking the dozen or so wives were more or less what you'd expect. At least one pleasant surprise though. One other dealer, much my vintage, who lives in Bury Saint Edmund's and whom I meet several times annually (usually in London around the major sale rooms) turned up with his wife, who we'd never previously met. She too, was much our vintage and absolutely charming! Ann spent quite a while with her (at the bean feast afterwards) and we all said how surprising it was that we'd not met Margaret previously. On the way home Ann said she'd like to know her better, and we agreed that we'd better ask them for a meal. We'll see. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07558857315748815249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644275821862159476.post-54773051308107355292014-03-08T23:59:47.305+00:002014-03-08T23:59:47.305+00:00Funerals are tiring Mike, especially for top alpha...Funerals are tiring Mike, especially for top alpha males who feel responsible for sensitively supporting all the other mourners. Its like being on look-out duty, one's psychic radar is on full alert for signs of weakness and trembling upper-lips so that hugs and hankies may be dispensed as appropriate. Just radiating strength and calm is a great drain on one's energies.<br />Give yourself a bit of recovery time with a cuppa and a crossword, or go and tinker in the cellar.<br />Big hugs and kindly blessings to you both, from Jude and me. (Ungrammatical but homely)Crowbardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01350188604175280097noreply@blogger.com