Perfect weather and a newly renovated lawn greeted us upon arrival at the Marrickville Croquet Club  – and of course our resident croquet host-tutor, the recently un-retired Prof. Gareth Denyer. A total of 28 of the Structural Biology cooperative turned up, many bringing home-made food, including some national specialties; I was quite partial to the Georgian Nigvziani Badrijani (cheesy flatbread) and Kachapuri (eggplant and walnuts), Clement’s potato salad and Shahnaz’ fishcakes [with Alysha’s Kourabiedes (Greek Xmas cookies) and Jacqui’s Australasian pavlova – kiwifruit on one half and mango on the other – getting special mention for dessert. OK – I had some of Milad’s baklava too…].

There was croquet playing a-plenty, a selection of small (and very calm!) dogs, and – by the end of the afternoon – at least two very sunburned shoulders…  A great time had by all (though the owner of the shoulders might have some doubt about that conclusion the next day). Thanks very much Gareth for hosting us again (apparently that’s 10 years in a row now!).