Sally had kindly offered her house for another weekend of school girl japes and jollity - and Mark had sensibly absented himself so off we went...
As usual we were all looking forward to seeing each other - and as usual we were all hyped up and giddy before we even got there!
Friday 30 September
The advance party arrived - Wendy, Sue, Trisha, Linda and Carol.No Siobhan or Chris this time as they were busy elsewhere.
Sally was super duper organised with lots of forward planning and ideas...
We had a lovely evening eating pizza followed by lemon cake with amaretto semifredo and drinking and generally chatting and catching up.
Nice and relaxed.
Saturday 1 October
We had breakfast and a leisurely morning waiting for Rosemary, Joyce and Jeanette to arrive.
Rosemary arrived wearing her trifle - which she had dropped as she got out of the car. So the first job was to clear it up from outside Sally's neighbour's house... Such a shame - it smelled delicious!
But her cake survived.
The weather was quite dull so we decided to visit nearby Beeston Castle. A lovely walk with glorious views from the top. And luckily the rain stayed away for most of the time we were out so we didn't get too wet.
We seem to be getting better at these selfies now!..
Then off we went homewards, feeling that we'd done enough exercise, to start the serious business of eating, drinking and talking again.
Linda was drinks monitor and Sally cooked a delicious meal of chicken and chorizo while Joyce added the finishing touches to her yummy berry cheesecake.
In the course of conversation it was decided that when we all reach our dotage (not yet - we're in our prime!) we will all go and live together in Rosemary's house as it's the biggest. Our new home will be called 'Shady Pines'.
We will have it converted so that we can all have our own rooms (with en-suites of course) and we'll have communal areas for socialising, eating etc.
We'll have our own bus (with logo on the side) for outings - and probably convert Rosemary's pond into a swimming pool so we can exercise.
I blame it on the Aperol and prosecco...
Still working on the selfies...
Cheers!
Sunday 2 October
Glorious sunshine and blue sky! Mist in the field and dew on the grass.
Janice arrived today - her weekend had been cut short by the early arrival of her new grand daughter. But at least she was able to come over for the day and we were able to congratulate her!
We all set off out for breakfast - past the sad remains of Rosemary's trifle which was still a sweet smelling splot on the pavement. Our breakfast destination was Tilly's - a lovely little bistro cafe in the village. This place seemed to be a favourite stop-off for cyclists so we were able to
The staff coped admirably as all ten of us ordered different drinks and meals - even down to Janice's order of one poached and one fried egg with her breakfast!
Tummies filled we all trooped back to get ready for a walk with time for another quizzical selfie before we set off...
Trying to get ten people suited, booted and out of the door was like herding cats...But once we'd gathered sunglasses, tissues, water, cash, handbags, bumbags, etc, etc - and admired the sunflowers and had a head count we were ready to go. So it was back past the trifle site...
Sally and Sue read the map and led the way whilst the rest of us ambled along behind chatting.
Across fields, down lanes and over stiles - all in the glorious sunshine.
An ice cream and coffee stop at Bunbury Locks - with a chance to study lock opening and closing technique in readiness for our next adventure - a weekend on a barge (still in early planning stages at the mo).
Then it was back to Sally's for Rosemary's cake.
For some of us it was time to start the journey homewards. Others stayed an extra night.
A great weekend.
As always.
With great friends.
As always.
A huge thank you to Sally for your generosity in opening up your beautiful house to us all - and for doing all the organising and sorting out. It was much appreciated.
Thanks again - see you all soon! xxx
