Jubilee Garden Party

Of course it was a wet day.  



The light drizzle began precisely at 2pm, when the party started. 





It was an amazing afternoon all the same. 



I met families from up and down the street, and some from around the corners. 

People congregated in the kitchen, in the dining room, the conservatory, in the marquee. 



The children joined in the festivities here and there, but otherwise gathered in the sitting room in front of the telly.

We learned more names to go with faces we see walk past our house, with and without dogs. 






Bill learned that one couple is moving to a home they inherited in Donegal Ireland.





I spoke with a young man, whose father is our neighbour, who is married to an American woman and soon to join her in Michigan. 

The Queen gets frisky with her Consort.

His sister lives in Paisley, near Glasgow, a place I still want to visit one day.

Their lovely house, built in the 1920s.

Dave, across the road, is retiring in November. 



They still won't be able to come to our Thanksgiving again this year, because of his retirement do. 

Geoff and Ann told Bill about their house in France that they will be at this summer.  We all compared the number of days our various home insurance policies allow us to be vacant from our homes.

George and Elsie who live behind us were in top form, with Elsie posing as the Queen. 

Elsie & George, some of the loveliest people you could ever meet.

Geoff reported that his bladder was much improved, thank you.


Their pet rabbit had been sent next door but by popular demand was brought home. 



I don't think he was very happy about that. 




I picked him up but after chewing on my scarf, he politely nipped my hand and jumped down. 



On his way out he gave a good thump with his hind leg, a way that rabbits express their grumpier thoughts, I was told.



I never went near all the salads, holding out for grilled hamburger, sausage, chicken and even a round of king sized prawns. 



I really enjoyed catching up with people who have been neighbours for years, folks I've rarely had time for more than a wave. 



I learned that Sarah is an only child like myself. 


Jules and Matthew are new to the street and their renovations are proceeding well, if a bit messy.  



Jules works at the Sage and told us where the free parking can be found.

This wasn't an issue for us, as we took the Metro to the concert last week, one in honour of Sandy Denny.

 

The party was at Alison and Martin's house, people I'd never met. They have in the last year bought the local news agent down the road. 



I knew a woman was involved in the new shop because of the large display of tempting magazines in the front window. They've repainted the outside a lovely cream and blue and renamed the store for its location across the street from a park.




Their house was lovely and Bill and I discussed some of the features - mainly the conservatory - that we might attempt to achieve ourselves.  



Turns out they have built up into their attic only because of a catastrophe some time back when their chimney collapsed. 



I think I'd rather not go that route, insurance money or not.




Everything went beautifully and the rain didn't spoil a thing. Bill and I went home about 8pm and fell asleep in front of the TV. I'm looking forward to catching up with some of the Jubilee events I missed on the iPlayer.