Lovely Day

Aside

By the time we were collected at 12 noon the sun had come out and it was, fittingly, a lovely day. I had been panicking all morning, wondering if it were wise to wear heels after damaging my big toes on the Coleridge Way. Flatties wouldn’t be right with my outfit – I had got MTL looking fairly immaculate and didn’t want to let him down. Then I remembered one of the christenings in France where all the women were in trousers so I chose smart black trousers and black top and kept my sandals on – blissfully comfortable. Sure enough my chic French DIL was also in black trousers and a pretty waistcoat – must remember to re –introduce mine back into my wardrobe – I have about four.

Parking isn’t easy in Dunster on a busy week-end so K dropped us at the hotel where we joined the rest of the party for aperitifs. After choosing what we were going to eat we began to wonder what had happened to K. He had gone to the Castle and got his four wheel drive in the midst of a horde of competing cyclists and had a hilarious tale of how he was forced into a tunnel which got narrower and narrower. Poetic justice we said for having a four wheel drive.

It was all beautifully organised with our party at the far end of the dining room in a private enclave and a table laden with presents. The food was excellent and we had a leisurely lunch with present opening between courses. The birthday boy was very lucky with a kinetic watch (don’t ask), silk ties, books, sox, a dirk (Scottish dagger – just what he needs) a woolly hat, a scarf, a wee ‘Scottie dog (pottery} a pen, a fantastic shirt and still some to come. Spoilt rotten he is.

Eventually we all repaired to ours and as we were all grown ups we went in the drawing room and I used a china tea service for the first time since my mother died. No –one could eat any cake but we all managed a glass of champers. A very successful birthday arranged with loving care and much appreciated by us. Now we really must get back to our routine and catch up on some sleep.