Friendly Days

She set off early in the morning to meet up with friends at a local ‘Talent for Textiles’ event.  After half an hour of trundling along windy little lanes the venue finally appearing through a glade of trees.  A rare glimpse of sun warming the rain soaked lawns.  They made a quick dash for the ‘Rag bag bring and buy’ in the courtyard, making a few purchases between them.

Then into the house, where treasures galore lay beautifully displayed in the gorgeously sumptuous rooms of Yarlington House.  A few more purchases were made, before heading back outside to the front lawn, where more treats tempted them, including the edible kind!  They had a long sit down and a good old natter, fuelled with elderflower, coffee, tea and cake, oohing and ahhing over each others purchases.

Lovely to catch up Mrs FG, Sue, K and Mrs J.

Despite the ominous skies, 
VJ and Mrs J decided to stay awhile and wander the delightful gardens.

The prettiest colours, sculptural planting and architectural details made for a wonderfully visual and interesting escape.  

Little doors and secretive paths.

Expansive walled kitchen garden. 

Oh, and the children’s playhouse … 

Yes ... really!

Despite the drizzle it remained magical.

Not ready to go home, they whizzed over to nearby Castle Cary.  VJ couldn’t resist a rustic wooden trug and this old Christy’s of London top hat box. 
 
Now perched on top of the wardrobe in the bedroom ...
... with no top hat of her own it makes a handy store for her glittery evening bags!

After another long and lazy coffee stop they headed for home.  Thanks Mrs J – it was a lovely day.

And the Mr cooked a lovely tea too.  Sweet roasted pointed peppers with juicy little baby plum tomatoes, crisped parma ham and parmesan shavings.

And the sun sensing her raised spirits decided to stay awhile … so they sat in the garden and ate and drank and agreed that they are lucky to have such good friends.

And it didn’t stop there – the next day they went to dinner with much loved long-time friends.  Tasty tidbits to wet their appetite with crisp bubbly, followed by the tenderest lamb and creamy gratin with seasonal veg. 

They talked for England … and some!  They toasted their friendship. 

Their little girl all grown up – the ‘girl with the gorgeous hair’ ... that VJ envies so – made sweet scones, crumbly and soft, with intense strawberry jam and cream.

Hours had whizzed by in minutes and all too soon their chariot arrived.  
A lovely evening as ever Mr & Mrs E.  
Thank you friends.