A Golden Weekend

I can't believe it's been so many months since I was here last!  May!  The vegetable garden is now unrecognisable.   We have been eating runner beans until we go green, lots of courgettes, some beetroot (a bit small and disappointing this year) and plenty of lettuce.  Sweet corn yields were low but the cobs were delicious; so too were the raspberries which were plentiful.  We benefitted from Gill's absence and tucked into her plums and apples - though we would much rather have seen more of her!  Some of the vegetables are beginning to fade now that the temperatures are dropping but there are more to come The kale and purple sprouting broccoli plants are huge, leeks are taking off and there are still potatoes to be dug.

Between picking and eating vegetables, keeping the garden going in Norwich and tending the garden in Southwold and painting and decorating there, it's been a busy and enjoyable summer.  

So, now it's Friday 15th September today and tomorrow we are expecting all the children and their partners and the grandchildren and 62 friends and family to celebrate out 50th Wedding Anniversary.  Sunday is actually the day, but we are being kind to people who have to travel back and go to work by holding our lunch party on Saturday.

The house has been tidied, the furniture pushed back to the walls, and the kitchen cleared.  This morning Peter and I went to the market and bought 8 bunches of sunflowers which I have inexpertly put into vases.  We hope they will open out a bit more by tomorrow.

Just before lunch today the banqueting hire company arrived with glasses, plates, tables etc., and an oven and a hot cupboard which are now squatting in the kitchen.   The caterer arrives at 9.30 tomorrow morning, the family at 11.00 and the guests at 12.30!   The boys are planning some kind of 'speech' and have been asking us mysterious questions.  We cannot imagine what they will get up to!  Watch this space!