Guess who came to lunch?

I became a little nervous when Daphne announced on Face Book tht she was meeting the Queen Mum.

Zoe McCarthy said; Oh good grief - get out your finest bone china ( I already had)and don't forget to wear white gloves.  Daffers is a stickler for protocol, y'know.

Joani Elle said: and high heels, your diamonds, pretty dress.  She's a good sort though we had a great time at that Royal Wedding last year drinking champagne etc

Isabel Cosgrove Hatcher said: surely you both like G&T's(or the equivalent)-pour a large one and toast the memory of the Queen mum, God Bless Her!" (This was a no- no, I don't drink gin and Daphne was driving)]

Kim Ayres said: I've met you both, and I've no doubt you'll fall straight into old friend mode with each other within moments.

I rang Daphne on her mobile:

"Pat Mackay" she announced (she was ordering breakfast) and I stood to attention.  For some reason I had always seen her as a 'Mrs Feather' - Jeanne de Casalis for those of you with long memories - with a fluffy voice - a bit ditsy.  WRONG!

However when I saw her lovely big smile when she got out of the car I knew Kim was bang on and it was going to be fun.

When I told Daphne MTL's real name she said she must remember not to call him Jamie. At least I had been Pat throughout.

Lunch was easy as it was cold but I did do devilled eggs- first time for years and salade de tomate, using my new basil plant.

After the girl's visit last week we had cream oozing out of the wormholes and I threw about a pint away - not good for the drains- and then forgot to buy some more.  However I told myself that Daphne was cosmopolitan and the French disdained the use of cream on Strawbs - maybe because in the Langudoc it curdles as soon as it comes out of the fridge.  A slurp of cointreau did the trick.

MTL was responsible for the cheeses and had really gone to town and I persuaded him wee should  have it before the pud.

It wasn't really garden weather so after lunch we just slumped in the drawing room and talked about blogging, writing, our lives, mutual blogging friends and life in general.

Daphne was disappointed that MTL didn't have a Scottish accent although the rest of his family did.  She liked Minehead,and agreed it was a good place to retire to.  She commented that all the food she had had in the UK had been excellent.

I thought it sweet that she was concerned about my going up to London alone for a chat with an editor.

"Why can't he have a chat over the phone?"

Daphne has just one fatal flaw; years ago when she lived in Poland she met this really awful woman from Bacup and she has a problem with the fact that I was born within spitting distance of Bacup,

indeed my Alma Mater was named Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar Schoool.  But I think she likes me really:)

She gave me two good books and some delectable Belgian biscuits, but best of all I have a new real live chum.

Below a photo of Daphne and the Queen Mum and a video of Mrs Feather - so not like Daphne.

For some reason my Word document wouldn't fit the Dashboard so I have had to re-type this so please excuse erorrs.