Tales of walking, eating, watching and playing. Vintage treasures and simple pleasures ... the things that make her happy.

Friday 10 May 2013

Friends from afar ...

They had Italian visitors.  Maristella and her charming husband came to visit.
 
Maristella has a lovely blog showcasing her creativity
 and the vintage fairs she attends selling pretty Victorian china. 
She gave VJ one of her handmade bunny's ...
She even made the little corndough carrot and heart herself ...
They arrived with lovely foodie gifts too - Veronese wines, olive oil,
 tapenade, sweet pastries, Parmesan and shortbread!
They carried the sun with them from Northern Italy
and suspended it over Somerset for two glorious days.
It shone on thatched cottages and the new willow growth on the Levels.
The VJs showed them the local countryside.
They crossed the Mill Bridge and walked along the riverside
to Kingsbury Episcopi and the fun filled May Festival.
Little girls in pretty costumes danced around the Maypole.
Dances danced for generations ...
the Jacob's Ladder, Spider's Web and Barber's Pole.
Cider fuelled merriment from the local Morris Dancers ...
Maristella was even persuaded to dance!
There were games, music, dancing, stalls, food, plants
and thousands of happy visitors.
The tunnel of wishes ...
Later they visited the grand English pad that is Montacute House ...
The gardens brimming with colour ...
As evening the drew in the VJ's cooked the Italians a meal of
traditional English fareThe Slovaks and their little ones arrived too
and then the Mancunian and his Maltese lady
 (who just happens to speak Italian ... perfecto!).
The house was filled with laughter and chatter.
VJ was happy that they were all happy ...

Maristella and Sergio ... we hope you enjoyed the rest of your journey.
You are welcome in our home any time dear friends.



16 comments:

Pennyblossoms said...

Wow! Can I come and visit???
I can bring Carlsberg, (it's brewed in the town). But that's about all we have to offer!
I would love to see a proper Maypole dance from start to finish, the pole looks so pretty all entwined with ribbons.
Have a lovely weekend.
Z xx

Rosemary said...

What a magic time you had with your guests, and how lovely that they saw a bit of tradition too whilst they were here. I love to see the ribbon weaving on the maypole, I am sure that it must have fascinated your visitors.

greenthumb said...

So glad you all had a good time.

WILLIE...! =(^..^)= said...

Arrrrrh! Oh! No! Oh! Dear! HeHe! :).
There is one thing...One! I hate most in the world..On the planet...In the universe...Morris Dancing...It's no secret! God! 'I HATE IT'. What a start to the morning....'Nuff Said". :).

ooooO! bottle of Valpolocella, Merlot Veronese and lovely Parmigiano...!
What time shall l pop round! I'll bring the bread....! :>).
=^..^=

haggiz said...

What a lovely time you had, beautiful photos, especially the maypole and the tulips. Julie x

Outcast said...

This sounds like so so so much fun Jane, really glad to hear that you got this experience with your Italian friends, sounds like a really great time to me as well, absolutely love these photos here.

Unknown said...

Sounds like a lovely time was had by all and the bunny is lovely.

primrosesattic said...

I also went to a May Day. I love them.
It looks like you all had a wonderful time.And the weather was great too.
Rosezeeta.

rusty duck said...

Aaah Montacute, lovely old 'pad'.
What great weather for your visitors and lovely gifts too!

Madelief said...

Such fun to have visitors from abroad! They brought you some delicious gifts. The rabbit looks very sweet.

Happy to hear you had a good time together.

Madelief x

Old Magnolia Tree said...

Wow that sounds like such a great visit. How lucky are your visitors!! But they did bring you some gorgeous foody gifts too...yummmy!
Rosie

The Dainty Dolls House said...

Everything looks amazing, am glad you enjoyed yourself xx

nilly said...

A Great Big Melting Pot indeed!
And in your home - I love that!

Maria said...

~ Ever so pleased you had a wonderful time with such great guests from over the sea's....~Just had a'wee' peep at Maristella's pretty blog, so lovely!
~ Thanks for sharing with us all Mrs VJ....the sun shine has not shown his cheery face here in the cold, cold, north west, since Bank holiday! and I for one have popped back on me thermal vest! Really! But with a rosey frock on over the top! ~ Hugs Maria x

bohemian vanity said...

Beautiful pics and glad you had a nice time :) xx Tani

Niki Fretwell said...

What a wonderful time you must have had with the lovely Maria and Sergio.
(They are so generous with their gifts too!! I was lucky to catch up with them both again when they visited my shop.)
Maypole dancing is a great antidote to any language barriers!

Niki :)