At home with the Jones'

Sunday we were invited for a roast at R's friends', Mr and Mrs Jones, who live in the lovely Bayswater area, home to a recent drive by shooting and where whole contents of houses are ransacked whilst the owners slept, (apparently). But, really, it is a nice area. Saturday a text arrived asking what the eating meat situ was these days... Now, R is a part-time veggie (as you know, he is a hippie).. and despite being vegetarian for many years and vegan for the last 2 or 3, i, too, dabble in a bit of meat and cheese on occasion (if i've had a hard day, is it so wrong to treat myself to a bit of brie and crackers goddammit). BUT, i don't really dig meat, and i do find it a bit icky. But, not wanting to be fussy, and rather than text back with a long list of meats i won't eat, kangaroo, emu being among two of them, we texted back with a 'meat is fine', thinking well, it's a roast, i'll eat the potatoes and veggies (sorry, veggos, we're in australia now), a bit of chicken or beef will be ok, and all will be fine. Sunday arrives, we draw straws for the role of Designated Driver (DD) (oh, hang on, no we don't, i'm automatically selected for the post) and off we go.

Upon arrival we are welcomed with gin and tonics (just a tonic for the lady) and informed that after a recent holiday to france, kath has been inspired to cook a cassoulet.... hmm, might not be able to avoid the meat on this one! Lamb, pork, rabbit, sausage, bacon, and probably more actually. I lost count. My eyes certainly widened but other than a quick glance in R's direction i think i somehow managed to keep my face from looking totally horrified. So not only did i have to pretend to eat a bowl of meat, as DD, i also didn't even get to drink through it. Thankfully kath also did a very yummy (and meat free) leek and potato soup for a starter. (oh, and btw, word around the table was that the cassoulet was delicious). Anyways, we had a lovely evening and i went home with a armful of gossip magazines which i gorged when i got home along with some rice crackers and houmus for a late nite snack. Note to self - just be vegetarian from now on... so much easier than dealing with flesh and bones and skin and general meat ickiness.