Nights to remember ...

The last day of school.  They finished work and ran outside, infected with the children’s excitement.  They packed wine and tasty treats and headed for the sea. 

 

Vast shoals of mackerel dancing in the shallow breakers, chasing whitebait onto the shore.  

A line of little silver fish glistening on the beach for as far as the eye can see.   

Mr S caught close to fifty mackerel that night. 

The children were princesses, princes, cavemen, robbers and cowboys,

lost in their world of make believe.

 

As the sun descended, dramatic clouds collected above, protecting them, 

holding them in a bubble of warm air, wrapping a blanket around them.   

 

In the gathering darkness they chatted quietly, little tents popped up on the beach, fishermen arrived.        

 

A great evening Mr & Mrs O.  

Mr O - you were right … just!

 ________________________________________

The next evening, they were transported to España in a little corner of Somerset!

 Jugs of Sangria, little plates of tapas to tempt.  

Boquerones, palm hearts, olives, cheese and peppers.

 

Pans of colour.  Paprika spiced scent filling the warm evening air.  

Thirty happy people sat down at tables beautifully dressed with flowers, baskets of bread and individual plates of salad topped with slivers of Iberico ham.

 

Steaming bowls of paella were served,

heavy with tender chicken, succulent prawns and mussels. 

 

Wine, chatter and laughter flowed.  

Mrs C even sang them a song! 

As for the puds … wow … 

Crème Catalana, plump cherries, the most delicious Banoffee ever and a divine lemon tart.

Mr & Mrs C – hosts extraordinaire!  Thank you so much.

It was a perfect evening.