Bardfest.

There is a certain somnolence around today.
After the party you see :)
People had an enormous breakfast (courtesy of Barney, the ultimate breakfast chef - I believe he is happiest when cooking breakfast for 17) and then there was a walk to the pub expedition, with a support expedition following in cars to collect the walkers. Well, and to go to the pub too, obviously.

People who stayed in B&B turned up to say goodbye and delightful cousin No1, took the two utterly, wonderfully, loopy Elderlilies to the pub too. He didn't get a lot of choice because in between asking how they were getting home and who was going without them they both seemed quite certain that they were going to the pub. Delightful cousin no2 and her partner and son had to go home but managed to add a little confusion to the conversation with the Elderlilies before leaving. it was all very relaxed and pleasant. Well I think it was - I was in that after party state where everything seems relaxed and pleasant. Small children (only three this year) were as always, gorgeous and gently naughty, in spite of having a slightly disturbed night camping. I hope they sleep well tonight, for youngest and partners' sakes :).
Frangelita and HF finally left after joining the pub support expedition and youngest and her partner and the three children left after a suitable period of putting the slide to various unorthodox uses and dog patting and fruit eating.
Soon we will eat another large meal ( we still have Great Grandad and Sister in law - the famous author - and beautiful teenager no1 here) but meanwhile, somnolence.

As for yesterday, the party proper went brilliantly. did I mention sunshine? We had sunshine. Did I mention food and drink? We ate and drank sufficient - well maybe a bit more than merely sufficient :)
As well as the aforementioned people there were the Lovely cousins from the Hertford and from Wales (though sadly none of their children or grandchildren came this year) who added sparkle and Joie de Vivre to the whole day. As well as washing up heroic amounts of dirty dishes and glasses. Brother in law and his wife whose dry humour always entertain and beautiful teenager no2 who was a stoic camper in the face of coldness and wet feet (can you have wet feet in the face? No don't answer that!)
Throughout the day, the slightly dotty Elderlilies were delightful and particularly sporting about the hot chocolate with marmite incident. The marmite was really just a figment of the assembled company's imagination but the two of them grabbed the idea and ran with it. Hysteria ensued:) It's not at all that these two ladies have lost any marbles, just that their marbles often collide and roll in quite unexpected and hilarious directions. Their conversations were reported to other people in a way that would make chinese whispers sound as sensible as.....oh as sensible as if it had come from the academy of sensibleness!
The cats both hid, all day. Mandu has just come in to ask if Muffy, the visiting dog has left yet. And whether it's time for her tea and incidentally, would I like a fresh mouse. I haven't the heart to tell her the visiting dog is sleeping upstairs with sister in law. However, I do have the coldheartedness to tell her to take the dammed mouse away.
Nutmeg seemed less infatuated with Muffy than in previous years but settled down in her basket with the confidence of old acquaintance.
My favourite niece came and helped with all sorts of tasks, including kebab threading and hoovering. I so love a relative who will arrive and pick up a hoover in one hand and a set of skewers in the other and set to work:)
Wonderful puddings were brought by youngest and lovely cousin from Hertford. Ooh, Delicious
Puddings :) With cream :)
The lamb chops were completely forgotten and stayed in the fridge all day.
Barney juggled on the scaffolding (we still haven't had the pebble dashing fixed) and then slid down one of the vertical poles. This caused both daughters to remonstrate with me on and off about allowing him to behave so dangerously. As if I have any control over his dangerous behaviour. After all this is a man who climbs ladders for a living and after a few drinks, he just does it more adventurously. In the same spirit, he took the three littlest ones for a ride round the garden in the back of the ride-on mower which started off a bit of a trend. Soon the orchard became a practice ground for would be tractor drivers.
Now, one of our friends, who is known to some of you as Joe Brown is an honorary member of the family and he brought, well I suppose, a new honorary member, known to some of you as Thursday:). Oh well, all I can say about that is,
:)
Though there was a good deal of pleasure expressed by people who have met Joe Brown a few times at seeing such a very nice person with such an equally nice companion.
A number of people who couldn't come for various reasons were missed. But we hope to see them next year. (Last weekend in July folks, book now!)
And now there's a fabulous full moon rising and I think I need to go and be somnolent myself fr a while.
I hope you all had a fabulous weekend too:)