Today we got a message about 10am to say that Hazy and Neil were on their way to meet us and should arrive in about two hours.
That message gave Jamie and Simonne all the information they needed to plan today’s dinner which was based on a Three Bird Roast (Duck, Pheasant and Wood pigeon) with the warning that there might just be some shot in the mix as some of the birds were shot in the wild. Everything was organised and running to schedule which left us all some time to spare before the work needed to begin.
Scamp chose to sit and read in the comfort of a warm room heated by a log burner Jamie and Simonne were reading and I wanted to go out to get some photos of the old church and churchyard in the village. I’d come prepared with my trusty leather boots and a pair of jeans. Since everyone was settled for an hour or so, I went out to take in the countryside.
I walked through the churchyard, past the church itself and down the path that would take me to a bridge across a stream. From there I could travel in one of three directions. I chose left, which was the muddiest of the lot although I didn’t know that until I was part way along it. It gave me an opportunity to try out my new Shokz headphones.
The further I went, the muddier it became until I was slithering along with just a patchy hedge to stop me sliding into the stream. Eventually I came to a path that would lead me up to the village, but I knew the path got steeper later in the walk and didn’t fancy coming a cropper on our second last day in this countryside and having to bundle my muddy boots and jeans into a Tesco carrier bag and carry them all the way home. No, safer was best, I turned round a walked back the way I’d come with a few photos in the bag, but nothing spectacular. PoD turned out to be two of Vixen’s Kong toys stuck in the gate of the house to be rinsed by the rain while she played with a new one.
Not long after that, Hazy and Neil arrived and our family was complete again. Stories were told and prezzies were exchanged. Vixen inevitable got another new Kong, an octopus this time. Then it was dinner time! The Three Bird Roast was lovely. Scamp, not being a meat eater had chosen fish again for her meal and it looked very nice. I think all the family had Salted Caramel Cheesecake for dessert and it too was really good. I think the diet will have to start as soon as we get home.
All too soon it was time for Hazy and Neil to head back down the road again but we’re hoping to see them next year, all being well. It’s strange how empty a house feels after two members of the group leave, but that’s how it felt to me today. We will be the next to leave tomorrow.
Watched TV in the evening but had to make the break and start packing later in the evening.
Things I’ll remember:
- That complete family feeling when we’re all together
- The slippery clay path beside the stream
- The antics of a dog with a new kong
- Food!!!
Tomorrow it’s our turn to head for home again.