Murmurings of the MxM Christmas Beach party start in early November when @higgis and @bobbyc research which fireworks to buy. They never disappoint.

Next up is reviewing what worked for last year’s beach party and what didn’t… Cries of “must have Ginger Pig sausage rolls again” and “make sure you buy enough Champagne for the train journey” are heard multiple times. Lists are written and menu talked about with our resident chef @olvado. Basically, baked potatoes, lentil stew and Bifana are all you need to line your stomach and warm yourself for an afternoon on a beautiful pebbly beach in cold December.

Our calendar is blocked out for a week in early December and staff warned not to book any meetings as the day of the Beach party is weather dependent. Tension mounts as we check every weather app going to see when Operation #MxMBeachParty is Go! Raymond overlooks the booze list and we adjust the quantities accordingly! A large order for booze is placed and ingredients purchased. Essentials are piling up: First Aid kit, fire proof gloves, charcoal, BBQ tongs, toilet paper, pots for cooking, a pot for mulling the wine, matches, blankets…

The night before, everything that needs to go to the beach is laid out on the table and staff line up to have their rucksacks filled with cans of lager, cider, rum, water, snacks, potatoes, lentil stew, glo-sticks, etc. Fireworks are wrapped to not look like fireworks….but extra large Christmas presents instead! (Cunning!) Train tickets handed out, strict instructions are given of where to meet at Waterloo and by what time. And a casual threat of “if you miss the train, you miss the best Christmas party”

Hearty breakfasts are eaten (you will find most of the Many queuing for a Sausage & Egg McMuffin) we gather near platform 11 and I take a register to make sure we don’t leave anyone behind. Once bums have settled on seats (apologies to fellow passengers for the large rowdy group in the quiet carriage on the delayed 9.05 to Weymouth) we pop the Champagne and dish out the sausage rolls. Those that are on a mission have a sneaky swig from a hipflask too.

A long train journey and a slightly scary coach ride later, we trudge along the pebbly beach on the Jurassic coast and pick a spot to set up camp. Fires are lit for the food and an even bigger fire is lit to keep us warm. Especially the two nutters who decided to take a dip in the ocean! sideways glance to Owen and Nelson

We huddle, we mingle, we play Frisbee, Instagram the same things, poke the fire, and throw stones into the sea. Lunch is served, mulled wine is mulled, S'mores are eaten. Rum, beer, Makers Mark & other unidentifiable spirits flow. All to keep the winter chills at bay of course!

As the sun disappears and rubbish collected, we gather to watch the fireworks and squeal and whoop at the visual delight.

The day after, when heads are sore, we head to The Rheidol for a recovery lunch.

Another #mxmbeachparty is in the bag.