Monday 18 December 2023

Party

 

Party

We went to a party on Saturday at Susannah and James’s house. I think they were catering for the 5,000, with many bottles of champagne and other inviting beverages, 30 litres of tonic water -  and associated nibbles, naturally.

Children of 15 and under who hadn’t made other plans accompanied their parents. They were all boys, funnily enough. Some were friends or at least acquaintances, but none of them were particularly socially aware, so there was an element of Lost Boys without the leadership of Peter Pan. Thank goodness for screens of various sizes!


Anyway, as they were mostly out of sight and mind, though perfectly safe in the house, the adults carried on enjoying themselves regardless.  

No-one who goes to a house belonging to any member of our family can expect or hope for an animal-free environment. Susannah and James have two dogs and four cats and we took Roxy and Gilbert, as they had been invited. We were a little anxious about it as we knew there would be lots of food conveniently placed at dog’s nose level and Labradors are not known for their reticence where food is concerned. We need not have worried. They behaved beautifully and were sociable and friendly guests, although Gilbert’s wildly wagging tail narrowly missed knocking over glasses several times.

It was lovely to see such a mix of affable people and it was a thoroughly enjoyable time. It was particularly pleasant to see our daughter-in-law and her two very tall handsome sons. All the rest of the family had been unable to come – it’s such a busy time before Christmas and everyone and everything seems to be booked up months in advance. We slipped away to feed our starving cats, leaving behind a diminishing but happy throng.

Gilbert and Roxy have been exceptionally quiet today, being unused to socialising,  and so have we.

22 comments:

  1. It sounds just lovely; everything looks so warm and inviting. How fun that Gilbert and Roxy were invited and were such well-mannered guests. I'm just now adding some festive decorations. Cricket would love a tree (and so would we) but we're not up to the drama that would certainly produce.

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    1. I'm sure Cricket would look delightful as the angel at the top of the tree :-)

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  2. Heat can come from electricity or gas or even blankets. But the open fire is far more cosy and attractive for the family or friends to sit around.

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    1. Living flames, well contained, are a delight.

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  3. It sounds like a wonderful party, too sad about the "lost boys" though. The house looks beautifully decorated and it is always better to overcater, than to run out of food and drinks. Good to hear all the animals were well behaved.

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    1. I think the boys are at one of those awkward ages - not adult, not small children, just somewhere in-between and not practised at social niceties.

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  4. Well done, Roxy and Gilbert, for showing such excellent social manners - and I'm so glad you had a wonderful time. xx

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    1. The day following was unnaturally quiet . . . x x x

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  5. Nobby is green with envy. Gail went to a party at a neighbours house on Saturday evening and, despite it only being a few doors down the street, he was not invited.
    Gail says it might be that, unlike well-behaved Gilbert, it was impossible to image he would have left the food alone...

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    1. Aw, such libellous comments. How can Nobby show he's the perfect guest if he's not given the opportunity? ;-)

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  6. From what I have seen in England, young men seem perfectly comfortable with older people, unlike in Australia, as we noted tonight at our building's residents annual Christmas party.
    So much tonic water and so little gin.
    Two tall and handsome sons, do tell me more.
    Such socialising may be tiring but no regrets. We may be a long time in Shady Pines.

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    1. You're right - we're a long time dead! I was as sober as a judge, as I had offered to drive, but it was fun. It's quite amusing watching other people slowly going under the influence . . .

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  7. Jellicoe and Herschel may have been hungry, but if they would have known you were in a crowd, they would have appreciated the hunger pangs more.

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    1. Yes, they would not have enjoyed so many people. Lenny, Susannah's furry rugby ball of a cat, is an exception. He loves people, the more the merrier.

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  8. How cosy and christmassy all that sounds, and very nice that you could take the dogs
    Alison in Wales x

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  9. It was lovely - the sort of occasion you keep thinking and smiling about. x x x

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  10. I love looking at other people's trees. I also like parties that include the dogs. Gives me something to do if I'm feeling awkward with people. :)

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    1. I'm always happier when there are dogs and cats to interact with.

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  11. Great that you all had such a good time at the party including Gilbert and Roxy.

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