Thursday, July 12, 2012

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.


18 comments:

Unknown said...

That is a lovely photo Pat. You really are looking well (as always).
Warm regards, Mike and Ann.

Anonymous said...

haha to the 'no gin' - I did say 'or equivalent'!!

sounds as if you had a wonderful time - Daphne sounds good fun.

Funnily enough my middle name is Daphne and I was called by it for the first 15 years of my life.

and wow! I am first - I never manage that usually!!

Unknown said...

It's good to meet!

Pat said...

Rosneath:it must be strange getting used to a new name after 15 years. My nickname was Binnie when I first started nursing.
My surname was Barnes.

Pat said...

Mike and Ann: MTL took it - I'll tell him. Such a bore - I'm not allowed to use photos of him.

GYPSYWOMAN said...

what a wonderful story - thanks so much for sharing! sounds like a fabulous meeting and visit - good for you all!

Pat said...

Gypsy: it was a good day.

Ms Scarlet said...

I wish the weather had been better for you, but I bet you had an interesting conversation ;-)
Sx

Pat said...

Scarlet: you should join us next time.

Mage said...

Oh, what a perfect visit. :)

Pat said...

Mage:)

Granny Annie said...

A friendship meant to be.

Pat said...

Granny Annie: hopefully:)

Pat said...

John: wwho have you met besides Keith?

Daphne Wayne-Bough said...

Sorry I'm late -- internet access not universal in SW England, plus have been gallivanting around the Cotswolds with Aunt Maude. It was a delightful day, and you were exactly as I had imagined - I know I wasn't how you imagined, but let that be a lesson to you! All is not always what it seems in cyberspace. Glad you enjoyed the biscuits. Hope Jamie didn't scoff 'em all.

Pat said...

Daphne: just been following your progress.
Actually you now seem so familiar I can't remember what I imagined but your persona is the same.
The biscuits were rapidly diminishing so I hid them:)

Macy said...

Looks like a match made in heaven. Would have loved to have been a fly on the wall ...

Pat said...

Macy: I think I'm old enough to be her mother but I felt she was a sixth former to my fourth. A great person to have around when one was in a tight spot. Back to Angela Brazil:)