I also had a CD of Moroccan Lounge Groove (?!) playing.
All instrumental.
And some Frankincense & Myrrh incense burning. Although you get what you pay for with that - I didn't want an overwhelming scent, but it wasn't exactly what I'd hoped for.
Still. Better than buying the really good stuff and having to put it out.

Starters
Bread with dipping oils
Chips & dips (and by chips I mean crisps - no, really, flavoured crisps - brought by a guest)
Home made falafel

Main
Moroccan lamb
Cous cous
Potatoes
Green Beans

Dessert
Blueberries in Cassis inside Meringue Nests with Crème Fraiche
Cheese & Biscuits (brought by another guest, who took home the remaining cheese, including the very nice Cornish Quartz I'd added to the board because it looked pretty sparse)
Baklava & Turkish Delight, Coffee

I present The Girls

I travelled down the country on Friday, to be with Dads on his 75th birthday.
Family things being what they are, we are having two separate celebrations. It's not so much about the whole my-sister-has-disowned-me blahblahblah, and more about the fact Mum offered a choice about which of the two weekend days everyone was free. The Wrights wanted Saturday, Ste wanted Sunday, so guess who I sided with?

Yup. Going to have Italian with the 'rents and my bro today. Looking as Sophia Loren as a fat middle aged woman with wild lilac hair can manage.

Dads loved the boot-sale cat. He doesn't know where it came from (Mum does but she loves it too).
They've called it Queenie.
The inflatable crown was from me. He wore it out for the meal yesterday and it was a hit.

Mad old Dad. I feel like Cordelia.

The buses were so confusing. I gave up and went on the train. More than I intended to pay, but so much quicker and easy to work out.

I will confess from the outset that I wore the wrong shoes.
This is so unlike me... :rolleyes:
But I believed the church we were meeting at (because it was having an open day, and I like ecclesiastical architecture) was right on the High Street. Nope, it was along a gravelled path. Note to self, next time you meet Carruthers, wear flat shoes and rely on conversation to impress him, not in platform wedges and height.

Cornflowers and clematis.

Poor Carr. He's such a gentle man.
He's not responding to my calls this morning. This may be because I ended up going barefoot and making him carry my shoes.

Nature in all its glory.

Church photos now.
Lots and lots.

It was really rather marvellous I have to say. And Carr is such a genial host; I swear he knew every twinkly eyed lady there...!

I know, I know.
I can't help it. They call out to me.

Main display and detail.

Stern stony looks from lady who does not approve of my footwear.

Flowers, God and railways.
Always a winning combo.

I'm not mocking - the whole outing was delightful.

We went on the tombola. I think it was seven tickets for a pound?
Why can't I remember? Because Carruthers paid :hug:
I don't mean that in a materialistic money-grubbing way, it was a kind gesture.

And of the seven tickets we got four prizes!!! (or maybe three - I was too excited after the first!)
One was even a bottle of wine.
I gave it to my Mum, unopened, undrunk, as soon as I got back here. Just so you know. Even though I went home via the pub and had loads of fags and booze and steak and kidney puddings. Not. Although I did pick up a discounted roast chicken at Morisson's so Mum didn't have to cook.

And we had tea n cakies too. Mine was a mini cream scone, the unhealthiest thing I've eaten in weeks. Flipping lovely. But that might have been the fellowship. Sitting under canvas in the watery sunshine, barefoot and blethering on.

Just realised I had a hotdog too!
What a fat pig.
Me and the sausage I mean.

Ketchup and mustard.
In a white dress?! This girl knows no fear.
Except fear of collapsing on a weak ankle. Remember how I said Carruthers squired me? He very politely allowed me to take his arm back down the uneven gravel path, so there were no spills and spillages on the way back.

What a lovely day. Shame it's bucketing down now!

I love the new hair color, Sundae.

Nice one you two! Looks like you had a great day! Despite the footwear fail!

Sent by thought transference

King Dad!!

There's a movie title for ya.

"platform wedges and height"

so funny, though I'm sure he was impressed nonetheless, as you're never without your conversation, irrespective of your footwear.

I went through my photos when I was recharging my camera, and realised I hadn't posted the ones I took of the guest bedsit I stay in when I visit the 'rents.
It has its own street entrance, but can also be accessed across the garden, which all the flats share. It is for friends and relatives of residents who want people to stay overnight or longer, and is rented out at £10 per night.

It's a lovely little place - I want to live there. It's perfect for one person, although I'm sure it would be fine for two. Fully equipped kitchen, long and deep bath (there is a shower too, but I usually indulge in a bath). All linens provided, although Mum usually supplies them for me because that way she can bring them back and wash them at her leisure.

Bedroom - separated from the living space by a partition wall.
Attachment 51689

The "dining" end of the living space. I was packed to leave at that point, hence my things in the middle of the room. I use the table for make-up, as I don't tend to eat alone when I'm there.
Attachment 51690

Sofa end of same room, including the balloon (Welcome Back!) that Mum brought to greet me at the bus station with.
Attachment 51692

Kitchen - which is L-shaped and has a table-top oven with a two ring hob around the corner. Mum does my washing for me, because her machine is faster and more efficient. She also has better drying facilities. Again, I've only ever used the fridge, for fruit, leftovers and cold drinks.
Attachment 51691

There's no TV, but that's not a hardship for me, and Mum always lends me a radio.
I think of it as my place, it's funny to think other people probably feel the same!