Part Two

For more than a year we had planned a very different celebration of our 70th birthdays and golden wedding in the UK. However as the much awaited day arrived fears that Ryanair would throw a spanner in the works haunted us. Fortunately Wednesday's flight cancellation list confirmed that our flights were still operating. Phew!

Last October we had reconnoitered the venue before before making a reservation. Hartwell House was built in the 16th Century and is owned by the National Trust. Consequently it has the air of a mini stately home set in mature grounds, just the sort of thing that is a million miles away from our everyday life, so suitable for our celebration.

However when we arrived on Saturday morning we felt that we had come for a themed weekend and expected the "Cluedo" characters to appear any moment. May be it's just that we are not used to being treated like "gentry". We soon entered into the spirit, particularly when we were escorted to our bedroom by the porter who gave us a potted history of the building as we climbed the grand staircase.

Soon our guests began to arrive and this was the very nicest part. Some friends joined us who we had not seen since we moved to France. Many had been major players on our wedding day, including Betty, my second Mum, who is now 94. Others we have collected over the past 50 years but they are all very dear and it was wonderful to share the day with them.

John decided that after each course the gentleman should move to the next table so that everyone could get to know each other.

 

Unfortunately we were a little disappointed with the food but we will gloss over that as it was the warmth of family and friends that was most important.

On the subject of food we had brought our own with us in the shape of the top tier of our wedding cake. It had been lanquishing in a tin in various lofts for 50 years and we had no idea what state it would be in. Inedible, but good for a laugh.

After John and I had delivered our "speeches" John and Lesley, Mas de Bouye friends, read a poem about us which Lesley had written. I would love to include it here but it is very long and you will have to read it when you come to see us.

Pat and Mel stayed over on Saturday night and it was lovely to share an evening reminiscing followed by a walk in glorious autumn sunshine the following morning.

Our pleasures did not finish there as on Sunday we drove down to the Forest of Dean to visit a friend who was not fit enough to join us on Saturday. She is a very accomplished artist who still manages to  "paint" using her iPad despite suffering from advanced Parkinson's disease. Very inspirational.

Following our visit to Kathy we stayed a couple of nights at a Premier Inn in Cheltenham, a bit of a contrast to say the least but we can only afford to play Lord and Lady Herring for 24 hours! We  planned to visit a famous garden at Hidcote Manor and possibly fit in a second garden nearby. Despite the unfavourable weather we joined the many vistors to Hidcote and gathered more ideas for our own garden.

 

However we have to say we enjoyed the neighbouring private garden at Kiftsgate Court more. It is a traditional but imaginative English garden created by three generations of lady gardeners. John particularly liked the two modern areas which have recently been added. We are both of the opinion that gardens should constantly be evolving.

We returned to Bovingdon to spend some more time with Betty but en route called into some more friends in Wiltshire who were again prevented from joining us due to ill health.

As you will no doubt have realised we thoroughly enjoyed our week of celebrations.  So now it is back to the grindstone ... an autumn garden awaits.