It’s been the year for reunions. Back in April I went to the 25-years-on reunion for Rathmore Grammar Schooledited to add see discussion of the late Peter Bowron below]; we’ve been better at keeping in touch; and it was not the first reunion we had had, so there was a bit more of an air of routine (though none the less welcome and enjoyable); and perhaps most important of all, the reunion was actually held in the college premises rather than in a function room four miles away. I thought that my college contemporaries had generally aged better than my school contemporarieshatred – so these pictures are not as good as I would have liked, but I think still presentable.

has a season ticket with Scudamore’s! I am fortunate in my choice of friends. So six of us set off for a quick excursion down memory lane the Cam in the morning.

Waiting on Clare Bridge for the season ticket to arrive, and admiring our surroundings.

Nick shows us how it is done.

Anne, Neal and James, sun in their eyes.

‘s turn, James and Nick at their ease.

I too had a go, and found the old skill came back, though it took more of a toll on my muscles than I realised at the time (shows how out of condition I am).

Again, I found it a very life-affirming experience to return to the college for a formal dinner (I had forgotten that it was supposed to be black tie, so was in normal business suit, but Clare is not a place that hugely cares about such things), hang about with old friends in the bar (the crypt, to be precise) until my energy dissipated about half past midnight (my wife managed to stay up much later than I did), and then a leisurely breakfast and more conversation on Saturday morning. We will try and be better at staying in touch in the ten years between this and the next reunion, promise.

Edited to add: poem by here.