Our Summer Extravaganza

Unexpected good news: after 2 or 3 years of complaining that the Biggin Hill air show was simply too expensive to put on, the powers-that-be announced that they had found a way (to make money, I guess) and we'd all be enjoying the annual event again. This was especially welcome news for us as we get free viewing from our garden, so I immediately went about planning our summer extravaganza and inviting family and friends along.  I mean, who else can boast a Red Arrow display at their Barbeque?  Still, getting a freebie isn't what it's all about.

What fun to get family and friends together. As Meg's stay with us this year coincided with the airshow and Shelley is carrying the new addition to the family, that's 4 generations at one party.  I love the way that everyone pitches in, which helps to make an informal and friendly atmosphere. I turned down all offers to contribute to the food as retired folk have plenty of time to prepare for our entertaining, don't you know.  But I was more than grateful to Meg, who assisted with the cooking, Richard & Ben for being the BBQ chefs, Shelley for accompanying me on the big grocery shop, Liz for setting up the deck & garden with seats and tablecloths etc. (three times, due to the showers), and for all my lovely lady friends who ferried dishes in and out and helped me to keep on top of the mess on the day.  But, of course I don't ask people over just because they are well-behaved guests.

Never get fed up seeing the Red Arrows from our garden

The weather was a bit of a disappointment, and the air show didn't live up to the standards of previous years, although the Red Arrows gave a spectacular finale.  Nonetheless, I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we all had fun, eating, drinking and making merry.  I went to town with the catering; as usual with aspirations that stretch my culinary talents.  The homemade sausages were a lot of faffing about, curry puffs are always popular but are a 3 stage cooking effort, the fruity rice required excessive amounts of chopping, slicing and dicing and dips, ribs and salmon were marinating well before any of my guests were stewing in the traffic jam.  I'm sure all the thanks were heartfelt and so, yes I put in a lot of hard work, and yes it was all worthwhile to see everyone happy and relaxed.  But why go to all that bother, when people would have been just as replete with supermarket crisps, bangers, burgers and a bag of lettuce?

Everyone came armed with very welcome contributions, but a special thank you goes to:

• Julie & Mick for the blooming marvellous pot of chrysanths
• Hilary and David for the chocolates and the sweet Scotts Pines (born & bred in Scotland)
• Carole & Tim for the cute cushion that matches the newly decorated bedroom so perfectly
• Jill for the goody bag, especially for my favouritest  Comte cheese and fancy biscuits
• and to Louise for the special bottle of red and a topical book 'The Time of Their Lives' - for anyone who wasn't born yesterday. 

Doesn't that conjure up a nice little scene: sitting on a comfy cushion with pretty flowers, a good read, chocolates, cheese and biscuits and a glass of red?  So there you have it - why do I go to so much trouble for a summer gathering? Cos I like the hostess gifts, of course.