Louisa, Errol, Jessica and Imogen, after the girls had had a grand time playing with the Pig characters, left mid-morning for their return to Nottingham. Yesterday had been a great success.
Later, it was Elizabeth’s turn to be introduced to our new flat. She had, of course, seen the outside, but then we had not been in possession of the key. Jackie and Elizabeth had a chat on a bench in a corner of the garden, which is in full view from our East facing windows.
We took over a few more items from The Firs, then had lunch in The Trusty Servant in Minstead. We all chose Sunday roasts, for which the pub is rightly renowned. I so enjoyed my real ale, Doom Bar, that I persuaded the others to try some of their own. This meant I had to sacrifice a couple of mouthfuls to their tasting, but it was worth it to get Jackie, for the first time, to enjoy a proper beer. Sadly, when I came to examine the bill, I saw it labelled as ‘guest beer’, which means it won’t be there long. I told the proprietor she could have it back any time.
After lunch we looked in at the Hall Antiques market which is a fortnightly event. Again we made a purchase, this time an elegant little bedroom chair which is now the first item of furniture in situ in our new flat. On leaving the Village Hall we returned to The Lodge to place the chair inside. Jackie preferred to wait in the car as Elizabeth and I went back into number 4. Out of the car I stepped, and headed off to the entrance doors, suddenly realising that my sister was not with me. I turned, to see her, walking away from the car, bearing the chair. So keen was I to have another look inside the flat that I had forgotten what we were meant to be doing. And I had drunk two pints of Doom Bar.
Back at The Firs, during a discussion about Paultons Park, Jackie and Elizabeth realised that, some twenty five to thirty years ago they had each visited this theme park when both it and Elizabeth’s children and Jackie’s nephews and nieces were in their infancy. Elizabeth remembered a photograph of Adam enjoying an early ride in the company of his mother and Frank Keenan, his paternal grandfather.
After a light salad in the evening Jackie and I returned to Morden. I kept my driver company for most of the journey, although I did have a snooze midway.