An afternoon in the garden
We visited Gareth and Nina and their family on Saturday. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen all of them together. Susannah drove us there, which was very nice of her.
The ‘children’ are all currently living at home, with plans to move out to live in London, where the three of them work, with friends. Everything in London is so expensive, and they know they will have to part with a lot of their hard-earned salaries each month.
It was so nice for Frankie (13) to see his cousins, (27, 25 and 23) He’s had a rough couple of years with many changes, and it was good for him to be greeted and treated as an individual in his own right and not be judged or criticised. He had a wonderful time in their company and they each had something different to offer him.
It was a warm, sunny afternoon and we sat under an enormous adjustable parasol, which has integral lights and sound. We didn’t need the lights, of course, but it was pleasant to listen to different people’s play lists.
Gareth loves preparing and cooking food, so we dined very well, with Nina’s delicious salads accompanying homemade burgers and sausages. The pavlova proved a step too far for most of us, sadly. It looked delicious!
I discovered that Elliot cannot burp. It was not a subject I introduced freely, but he asked me if I still wrote blogs, so I told him about the recent one. He suffers from abelchia and often has to lie flat on his back to relieve the discomfort. This leads to some interesting conversations when he’s out, as strangers offer sympathy - ‘Had a bit too much, mate?’ It cuts short some of his evenings as he is obliged to return home.
It was soon time for us to take our leave. Eve and Louis were planning to go out for the evening and were trying to persuade Elliot to join them. They asked us what we would be doing for the rest of the day. One event a day is quite sufficient for us . . .
Today, Susannah and Frankie, Arthur and the three cats have returned to London. We shall see them again soon. It was very pleasant to have them here for a week.
It feels quiet here now. The dogs and cats are flaked out. We shall go to bed early. The heat is building up again, so early morning walks will be the order of the day once more.
Moving out to live in London might well be expensive but I am on the 20s' side. As long as they are well prepared to share space in their new address wisely and eat cheaply, they will enjoy their new independence.
ReplyDeleteThey've had the independence of university, of course, and now look forward to that again, even though life at home is very comfortable, and London is easily accessible for them all.
DeleteSounds like your family knows how to family. :)
ReplyDeleteThat sums it up perfectly - just what I was thinking when reading Janice‘s post!
DeleteThey're excellent hosts, all of them.
DeleteSounds like a great time was had with family! Glad you enjoyed yourselves.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon. 😊
DeleteSounds as if many memories were made. That is the stuff that knits a familybtogether.
ReplyDeleteWe always come away thinking, 'We should do this more often' and then the time drifts away again.
DeleteSounds like a perfect day apart from the pavlova being a bit too much. I love pavlova and would have "made room" somehow for at least a tiny bit.
ReplyDeleteWe don't normally eat lunch so it was a bit of a stretch for us anyway, though thoroughly enjoyable.
DeleteYes to early walks. We left ours a bit late today and were quite uncomfortable in the heat.
ReplyDeleteIt soon builds up, doesn't it?
DeleteIt sounds like a wonderful get together Janice - yes one outing a day is more than enough for me also.
ReplyDeleteWe were surprised at how tired we felt when we got home. Oh, dear! 😕
DeleteAlways leave room for thee pav. Glad you had such a nice time.
ReplyDeleteI've reached the 'one event per day stage', especially if it is a lovely long day with family All the conversations!
ReplyDeleteIt's all the crossways conversations that are fascinating but taxing as you try to listen to each one.
DeleteFamily get togethers are just brilliant as is the peace when home alone.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, the blessed peace.
DeleteSuch happy summer pursuits - poor Elliott - but alwaus good to visit family
ReplyDeleteIt was most enjoyable. The two grandsons from that family are very tall and very good-looking (should I say that??) and it's lovely to spend time with them.
DeleteA normal happy event with family. With our three grandchildren in London, the hassle of finding somewhere to live and then finding unscrupulous landlords hiking the rents up is miserable for them. Matilda and Ben though go with their friends as part of a group to rent houses.
ReplyDeleteThey're all planning to live with friends - it's the only way they'll be able to afford anything. Susannah suggested the three of them buy a house together - it's just about doable, depending on the area. I pointed out that it would work until they started bringing in live-in partners, when frictions might arise.
DeleteAnd a good time was had by all….
ReplyDeleteIt was. We found that Frankie can do more than grunt . . . 😉
DeleteSounds like a happy time with family.
ReplyDeleteThe hairdresser and dentist always have that conversation about what else I'm doing to day - Going Home is always my answer!
I hate those artificial conversations with hairdressers and hygienists. I always feel as though I'm socially lacking . . .
DeleteThis is the number one reason why I dislike going to the hairdresser, so of course I never go.
DeleteSounds like you had a lovely time.
ReplyDeleteWe did, thank you.
DeleteHow lovely for you to have a bit of a family reunion. I imagine there was a lot of visiting in Stories being exchanged. It certainly will seemed quiet with all of them gone.
ReplyDeleteIt's so refreshing to be with young people - they're so positive.
DeleteIt's always lovely to see the family together. Terrific that the children all get on well.
ReplyDeleteThey're very close. My son and daughter-in-law have done a wonderful job of parenting them.
DeleteThat sounds like plenty of peopling for one day. Nice to be chauffeured, too.
ReplyDeleteIt was a change from our usual routine, that's certain.
DeleteSounds like a lovely day.
ReplyDeleteIt was, thank you.
DeleteSounds like a lovely time.
ReplyDeleteWe just wish we could do it more often. It's rare now that everyone gets together. 27 when we all gather, plus umpteen dogs.
DeleteA lovely family time
ReplyDeleteIt was, thank you.
DeleteIt's always good to see family.
ReplyDeletePoor Elliot! That must cause problems. Does he have to watch what he eat a lot?
He avoids carbonated drinks, including beer, so that's a constraint, but I think he manages quite well. He didn't like the sound of the treatment, though.
DeleteSounds lovely.
ReplyDeleteWhen I get asked what we’re planning for the rest of the day I smile to myself, it’s usually - nothing- , we slow down in the afternoons and evenings now we’re older 😆
Alison in Devon x
Life was so energetic in our earlier years, especially in our 20s and thirties. Hard to believe now.
DeleteIt seems very quiet after a houseful of visitors leave. On the other hand it is pleasant to visit.
ReplyDeleteIt is quiet when everyone leaves, but peaceful, with lovely memories.
DeleteHow nice to be able to gather together as a family for a visit. I do so miss those gatherings with my own family.
ReplyDeleteIt was very pleasant and really doesn't happen very often.
DeleteWhat a lovely family afternoon. I really enjoyed reading about Frankie having such a positive time with his cousins, especially after a difficult couple of years. It’s wonderful when people make someone feel accepted for who they are. The garden gathering are perfect too, good food, music, conversation, and time together. I hope the early morning walks help you through the heat.
ReplyDeleteAfternoons like that set us up for the week ahead, not that we have anything of great import to do.
ReplyDeleteNice to be with family.
ReplyDeleteIt was, indeed.
DeleteGood food and conversation - what a great party you were invited to. Family outings are not common to me and my husband as we live a distance from many of them.
ReplyDeleteI cannot begin to imagine how difficult it must be in a huge country like USA to visit family. Family gatherings must be rare and precious.
DeleteSounds like a lovely afternoon indeed. Since I only relatively recently found your blog, I'm not familiar with the names of your family members but think I've somewhat figured it out. ;-) Ahhh....pavlova. I would have at least begged for a "to-go" piece to take home with me. And, yes, the silence after guests leave can be deafening. I know it was when I took my grand back home.
ReplyDeleteIt can be confusing following someone else's family, I know.
DeleteI'm sure it must feel quite strange to be without your undoubtedly chatty little granddaughter. I hope she's pleased with her baby sibling. It can be a difficult adjustment for a small child.
Fantastic! Sounds a lovely family time.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thank you, Jan. It was.
ReplyDelete