I had the joy of a field trip with Peter to Jamnagar in India, mainly with the view to assess local rocks for rip rap but as ever with Peter the agenda developed into most things construction and just about everything else, with of course a study of the coastal geomorphology for good measure. Peter had gathered an entourage of young local engineers hanging on his every word, there must have been around a dozen of the them, and as Peter could never remember names each and every had a nickname aligned in some way with their character or appearance.

Anyway the highlight for me was the closing presentation (using the old overhead projector and slicks) to the client team, headed by the company president, a fine Indian gentleman by the name Mr Malhotra, and the full entourage of his staff. We had a midday flight to catch back to Mumbai and Mr Malhotra was late so we were all becoming a little anxious, and Peter somewhat irritated. So, Mr Malhotra duly arrived with ceremony and took his rightful place front of centre, to which Peter picked up his famous sun hat, walked over to Mr Malhotra upon which he dusted the head on Mr Malhotra with his hat to the tones of 'we are all short of time just because Mr Malhotra decided to have a late breakfast'. Mr Malhotra was mortified at the telling off in the presence of all his staff. Some months later approval was given for a follow up visit to close out the findings and recommendations, but it came with the message that 'Mr Malhotra respectfully suggests that Professor Fookes need not make the trip'....