A Lunch Party

At mid-day friends Caroline and Keith, Margery and Paul joined us for lunch. Jackie laid on an excellent vegetable soup with croutons, followed by onion bhajis, spring rolls and prawn toasts; a choice of meats and pies, and various splendid salads, with several different breads. A little red wine was drunk, but most of us preferred water, still, or sparkling.

The general consensus was that we should spend the afternoon in the garden before tackling the scones with jam and clotted cream, the fruit salad, and/or the strawberries and cream. Even then, no-one had room for cheese.

We enjoyed warm, sunny, weather, with a slight breeze, making it ideal for the garden tour. We wandered round in twos and threes, occasionally meeting up.

Caroline and Keith entering Brick Path

Brick Path

Here, Caroline and Keith contemplate the Brick Path. When they reach the sweet peas which will be to their right, they will enjoy their fragrance.

Bee on echinea

To their left lies the New Bed whose bees fascinated them.

Paul and Jackie at Fiveways

Jackie and Paul paused at Fiveways.

Jackie

Jackie went on to the rose garden where she delighted

Jackie, Caroline, Keith and Margery

in displaying our achievement.

Margery

Margery tried out the armchair under the arch,

Margery on Pergola Path

then led the way back through the pergola.

Fuschia Ringwood Market, petunias etc

Much of the afternoon was spent in happy conversation on the patio, surrounded by arrangements like this, of fuchsia Ringwood Market, petunias, geraniums, and succulents, with a pink hydrangea peaking out from behind.

Rose petal on Ace Reclaim Bench

A red rose petal came to rest on the Ace Reclaim bench

View from Dragon's Bed

which is visible from the Dragon’s Bed.

There was a very brief programme of highlights of the fourth Test Match. This is because it didn’t take England very long to dismiss the last three Australian batsmen, thus winning the match, and the series and retaining the Ashes. 200px-Ashes_UrnThe Ashes are a symbolic representation of the ashes of English cricket described by a Sporting Newspaper after Australia’s 1882 victory. The following year England’s Captain Ivo Bligh vowed to regain those ashes. Said to be the remains of a burnt cricket ball, they are fought over every series between the two countries, although the urn that contains them never leaves Lord’s cricket ground

25 comments

    1. A moscato d’asti would have been perfect for desert! Then have every guest sign and date the bottle as a momento of the party. These empty bottles could be used as vases of collected on a window sill as light-catchers.

  1. It’s a funny thing, but I’ve always thought that experiences are relatively meaningless until they are shared. Your visitors expanded the joy of your garden no end…

  2. Looks like a delightful afternoon in a stunning garden 🙂 The new garden area is filling out very quickly…you must be having some lovely weather there. Congratulations on the cricket: it certainly has claimed some scalps!

  3. Perfect way to spend my Saturday Derrick – after sweltering in 106 temps here in TX. Your garden walkway is like a treasure hunt filled with eye-candy for everyone!

  4. Ah, finally an answer to the question of whether you ever get to enjoy the garden! What a wonderful afternoon. Thanks for sharing. Margery looks as though she’s on a throne!

  5. What a lovely, sweet garden! And it seems, also, a truly delightful day. Marvelous. I’m glad you came by my blog so I could follow you back here to yours and enjoy this little promenade!
    Cheers,
    Kathryn

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