Les's Birthday Bash

Well the baking, icing, shopping, organising and hair pulling out was finally worth it. We had a fantastic weekend with family and friends. Les's birthday bash went off extremely well - despite the weather. As I type this the sun is shinning and the temperature is 21 degrees - but Sunday morning was a different matter. We awoke to pouring rain and 30 mile an hour winds and the gazebos, chairs and tables that we had erected the day before were just about being held down by extra ropes and pegs.

We had set up the bar in the Wooden Gazebo in the garden complimented by a barrel of real ale from the Blue Bell Pub in Halkyn. By late morning we abandoned the idea of having a lovely summer garden party on the lawn and hastily rearranged the house to accommodated over 50 guests and a 5 piece Trad Jazz Band. We also moved the bar (apart from the barrel) into the hall and just prayed that everyone would fit.

Mad Ed's Hot 5 started playing at around 2pm for an hour and then we quickly laid out the food and spent the next couple of hours eating and drinking and catching up with friends and family. Many of which had travelled a long way to celebrate with us (the furthest being Spain and the shortest the next door neighbours). By this time the weather had cleared up sufficiently for a few brave people to eat outside (obviously fortified by the medicinal effect of alcohol) whilst most of us found a perch somewhere in doors.

Mad Ed returned with his group at around 6pm and played for another couple of hours, there was more drink, talking, singing and even a bit of dancing. Happy Birthday was sung enthusiastically by all with an inpromtu speach by the birthday boy. Later on those that were still partying enjoyed curry or chilli before heading off home or to local B&B's, hotels and campsites.
Monday was a fabulous day the sun shone and not a puff of wind. As the whole family had stayed for the weekend we spent the day in the garden and had lunch alfresco. One of my favorite films is A Good Year with Russell Crowe - if I had to choose a different life it would be the female lead in the film (Fanny Chenal) - at the end of the film she is preparing lunch outside in the sun - enjoying good food, wine and being with each other.

Well on Monday I had my French moment with all my family sitting around enjoying a relaxing lunch in the sunshine - the ages ranged from 10 months to 82 years. My Dad said ' A day for memories' and it really was.