Pat and Maureen's Anniversary lunch
A good night's sleep and both Lorraine and I were feeling distinctly perkier. A quick breakfast with John then off in the car to Marks and Sparks to pick up a cake that Lorraine had had decorated there, and a cheeky bunch of flowers. Drove off towards Kent to join in the celebrations of Pat and Maureen's sixtieth wedding anniversary, which occurred while they were on holiday.
At Ashford Station we picked up Beth and were soon at Pat and Maureen's house. It was already filling up with people, as Pete, Ken and Clare were there. Soon Lorraine's nieces Sarah and Louise, and Louise's partner Will had arrived, then Jason, and Maureen's sister Betty, and Betty's daughter (Lorraine's cousin) Janet and her husband... Then it was time to drive off to the Duke's Head, where we had a room, the same one we'd been in for Pat's Eightieth birthday. We were joined there by several other family members including Maureen's sister Doris, Pat's brother Steve, several cousins, and extended family to numerous to mention.
Steve had brought in a fascinating photo of Pat's grandfather, father and uncle on his mother's side, and spent some time with Pat poring over that.
We all tucked into Sunday lunch and lapped up some good wine, and Steve made a speech, and so did Pat, who pointed out there was only sixteen years to go before we'd be there again celebrating his 100th birthday. Maybe they'll get something else from Queen then too. Puddings, and I ordered Spotted Dick, which was given instead to Pete who had eaten half before he realised it wasn't sticky toffee pudding. I enjoyed his sticky toffee pudding a good deal however.
I had a nice time chatting with everyone, and found myself talking lots to Will, Louise's boyfriend. Rather empathised with him. He studied philosophy and theology and is now trying to find a way of fitting into the world which is quite difficult when you have been trained for a few years to question everything. Disproportionate how many current or reformed philosophers there are in the extended family, what with Will and Louise, Sam and Jade, Jade's dad and me, and of course the Tobster teaching the blessed stuff in Canada.
The main business of the day was having a party with Pat and Maureen, and it went really well, everyone was relaxed and enjoying themselves.
Lots of fond farewells at the Duke's Head where everyone agreed we'd had a good time and good food, and a friendly service. We headed home from there. Lorraine having done brilliantly all day. Beth and John sleeping in the back. I was feeling really tired and we went to bed not long after getting home.
Ken and the barman took photos of the whole company, so there will be some photos with lots of folks in it at some point. For some reason I didn't take too many photos. But here is their card from The Queen, a photo of them kissing, and the photo of Pat's grandfather that Steve had brought. Their grandfather is at the back and centre, one of his sons has his arm around him, and the other appears to be filling up a chamber pot with beer. Just love the clothes and general atmosphere of this shot, which is from the 1940s.
At Ashford Station we picked up Beth and were soon at Pat and Maureen's house. It was already filling up with people, as Pete, Ken and Clare were there. Soon Lorraine's nieces Sarah and Louise, and Louise's partner Will had arrived, then Jason, and Maureen's sister Betty, and Betty's daughter (Lorraine's cousin) Janet and her husband... Then it was time to drive off to the Duke's Head, where we had a room, the same one we'd been in for Pat's Eightieth birthday. We were joined there by several other family members including Maureen's sister Doris, Pat's brother Steve, several cousins, and extended family to numerous to mention.
Steve had brought in a fascinating photo of Pat's grandfather, father and uncle on his mother's side, and spent some time with Pat poring over that.
We all tucked into Sunday lunch and lapped up some good wine, and Steve made a speech, and so did Pat, who pointed out there was only sixteen years to go before we'd be there again celebrating his 100th birthday. Maybe they'll get something else from Queen then too. Puddings, and I ordered Spotted Dick, which was given instead to Pete who had eaten half before he realised it wasn't sticky toffee pudding. I enjoyed his sticky toffee pudding a good deal however.
I had a nice time chatting with everyone, and found myself talking lots to Will, Louise's boyfriend. Rather empathised with him. He studied philosophy and theology and is now trying to find a way of fitting into the world which is quite difficult when you have been trained for a few years to question everything. Disproportionate how many current or reformed philosophers there are in the extended family, what with Will and Louise, Sam and Jade, Jade's dad and me, and of course the Tobster teaching the blessed stuff in Canada.
The main business of the day was having a party with Pat and Maureen, and it went really well, everyone was relaxed and enjoying themselves.
Lots of fond farewells at the Duke's Head where everyone agreed we'd had a good time and good food, and a friendly service. We headed home from there. Lorraine having done brilliantly all day. Beth and John sleeping in the back. I was feeling really tired and we went to bed not long after getting home.
Ken and the barman took photos of the whole company, so there will be some photos with lots of folks in it at some point. For some reason I didn't take too many photos. But here is their card from The Queen, a photo of them kissing, and the photo of Pat's grandfather that Steve had brought. Their grandfather is at the back and centre, one of his sons has his arm around him, and the other appears to be filling up a chamber pot with beer. Just love the clothes and general atmosphere of this shot, which is from the 1940s.
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