When anyone comes to visit me nowadays, t'old man scarpers, he can't do with 'women's talk' he says.
If it is only a short visit he will disappear into the garden with the pretence of being industrious 
but if it is a visit of a much longer duration he often sees it as the green light to disappear down to the pub 
This suits me fine most of the time 'cos why would I want him around when all I want is a girly chat with my visitor, yet on the very rare occasions when he has visitors it is usually me who scurries round organising tea and/or perhaps a finger buffet.
This afternoon he has an elderly gentleman friend visiting, he usually visits about three times a year and is partial to my home-made cheese and onion pie and jam tarts. Today I don't feel like entertaining but i'll put in an appearance 'cos although this gentleman comes to see t'old man he obviously would like to know how i'm getting on.
"What should I give him to eat?" babbled t'old man
"I don't know" I replied " go to the supermarket and buy something.
So off he toddled this morning and 'eureka' he came back with some white baps, boiled ham and a battenbug cake
He's buttering the baps as I type so who was it that said "you can't teach an old dog new tricks"?...we're going to prove that rufty tufty contracters can entertain in other places barr down the pub after all 
Bushka
Pro 
Good for 't old man....
x