S1 EP5: Summer activities

"It is pleasant to watch from the land, the great struggle of someone else in a sea rendered great by turbulent winds”. The barely heard of poet and philosopher Lucretius articulating what everyone else was thinking. Yes, it’s time we took a look at our dark side. If you’ve never revelled in someone else’s misfortune then you are a liar. The Germans call it Schadenfreude and in our uber competitive modern world, filled with comparison and one-upmanship, surely it’s a sentiment necessary for survival? Michael and Richard gaze into that metaphorical mirror once more in order to impart life lessons from which we can all benefit. Gentlemen’s Relish: Helping you relish your potential.

Are you outside? It’s a joy isn’t it! (If not, look out of a window or something). Absorb the things you see; the glory of nature’s gifts. We often take them for granted, but be warned: the landscape changes quicker than you can say ‘Pass me the Highway Code it’s time I genned up on my bridleway etiquette’. Modern civilisation’s obsession with progress is the natural world’s greatest threat (alongside plastic of course) and Richard is appalled by this. Michael, however is not so quick to hysterical behaviour. A robust dialogue ensues. Gentlemen’s Relish: Helping you relish your potential.

News flash!!! Each of us spends an inordinate amount of time on the great information superhighway. You know it and we know it. But was it meant to be this way? The days of waiting for the dial-up modem to whirr its way into life are over. Click, Scroll, Siri, ‘What are the ingredients needed for the perfect Tarka Daal’…And you’re there, zipping around that atom-less world. Conversation this time turns to the roots of this obsession and why it has become such an intrinsic part of our Joie de Vivre. Advice is at hand for the grossly addicted. Gentlemen’s Relish: Helping you relish your potential.

Michael’s on hold…his club class membership is under threat and he wishes to make a complaint. Richard, hankering for gelato, is forced to indulge Michael’s lengthy complaints procedure. Naturally an argument breaks out as to which of the gent’s fathers has the best handyman skills. Wooden spoons, Lego building and European Law are all up for debate. Oh, and if you fancy yourself a handyman type, you’d do well to listen to the gent’s fashion advice.

The gents are waiting on a delivery of Richard’s new bushcraft knife. What better way to while away the time than to play some fun, two-person games! In between, thoughts turn to non-effective secret keeping, Michael’s political bent rears its head again, and there is a surprising appearance from an 80’s popstar.

Welcome back dear listener. We hope our absence hasn’t been too sorely felt. There is good reason behind our extended period away from your lug-holes; the journey towards self-improvement. Richard has been reading; educating himself and attempting to sound as if he has retained it. Michael too, has been steadily developing his cognition, but his is towards a more technology-based skill set. To celebrate these achievements, the gents stroll through a famous London landmark, stumble across a legend and ponder the greatest inevitability of them all...death

Michael and Richard attempt a positive spin as they reflect on this post-factual year - their own observances rarely avoiding some post-facts of their own, but then when hasn’t that been the case for this pair? If your seasonal period wasn’t as heavy as you anticipated, sit and soak up the tones of these two modern gents as they sip sloe gin and muzzle a medjool or two in anticipation of the annual festivities. There’s hope for 2017 and fondness for 2016, although you might have listen closely to discern it.

Michael and Richard look further afield for an opinion worth sharing when the change of season brings with it considerations neither is able to contend with independently. Thank goodness for Richard and his connections to the fashion world. Listen and learn what newly singles should attend to in their tallboy; how others get the chic-est of silhouettes; and why Michael is likely to be sporting dessert fatigues this Winter.

The Relish is back! Our gents are enjoying a spot of late brunch as they discuss their usual plethora of topics. Pastry top-threes, personal discoveries and Vladimir Putin's political career are all on the agenda this week. Pop the kettle on, settle down and enjoy the perfect condiment to your leisure time.

The gents are in reflective mood as summer becomes a fading memory and Autumn takes hold. Michael, is back following his EU diplomacy trip (or month long German bender). Richard, is in a pensive mood following some rather ethereal and life-affirming experiences. A little catch-up is in order, and a tale or two from the past. Pop on a cable-knit sweater, sit back and enjoy the perfect condiment to your leisure time.