I was sat in the Rising Sun, Epsom on Saturday  drinking a pint of Youngs Ordinary when various gentlemen in top hats and tails arrived after the last race. I am like royalty myself, I leave after the main feature to avoid the crowds.

Anyway, they took off the hats and eventually the jackets. One bloke even removed his tie and shoved it into a plastic carrier bag. I then noticed he was wearing five pocket grey trahseez. He said to his companions that 'they only look at your top half'. I assumed he must have either bought or hired the full kit. It is unusual to buy them as separates. The grey trousers initially passed inspection but I thought he would have been just as comfortable in the pair he left at home.

Going up to the course you could tell the ones that were 'to the manner born' as they headed for the Queens stand. I suppose another place that I could see all the kit being worn correctly would be that famous soda fountain in San Diego.

On the Friday I had headed down to the Amato pub to see the Derby prediction the gypsies chalk on the wishing well. Sadly the Amato was closed down. I only use it once a year.

That was how I ended up in The Rising Sun. This pub was where the 'Society for the Preservation of Beers from The Wood' was founded. A sort of early version of CAMRA - except the founders were pipe smoking chaps in three piece suits who worked for the Bank of England and MI5. There was a retired Met policeman on the door. You know you are getting old when the retired policemen start to look young. Hopefully this pub will be around for a few more years. I don't take legal highs or shove gear up my nose, so that sort of thing is important to me and many of my generation.