Saturday ‘The Big Party’

Saturday, the ‘Big Party’. The day started early. There was excitement in the air. A bed invasion at 6am and soon after a breakfast of pancakes with Dadda’s home made mango jam drizzled liberally with a splash of lime juice. Come 9am Sindy and sister Sally arrived to prepare the party lunchboxes. I on the other hand had just finished the triple later chocolate cake that was sandwiched together with Strawlime Berry Jam and heavily entombed with homemade chocolate ganache fudge icing. The top was laden with home moulded white chocolate pyramids and squares. The ladies made Jam and ham sandwiches for the lunchboxes, the jam on this occasion was black grapple. I cooked a mass of perfectly cooked basmati rice in the microwave. Please read a previous diary entry for the method of guaranteed perfect rice every time. Things were on track. Our three veg curries were pre cooked and bagged up in the refrigerator (Mutter, dal and chana) and 30 chapattis were dry cooked on the griddle. Wrapped in a wet tea towel and polythene bag to keep moist, they were added to the bags of food that were set to leave with Sindy and sally for the setup at the hunting lodge where the party was being held. We all arrived later to meet Thea and hubby John (Pips parents) who were also helping to set up. Within 15 minutes of our arrival the party was in full swing. The wild animal lady entertained the little ones and everyone had a great time with the myriad of surprisingly scary insects and small vertebrae! The children consumed their lunch boxes and the grownups devoured the ‘Pur Veg’ curries with gusto. Sindy and Sally were brilliant as were our fellow hosts. A brilliant venue and we left with a happy crowd having appreciated that it was a more inclusive affair – the grownups and their enjoyment are often an oversight at these events. Catering for 40 adults for a tenner went down well I think. And a few of them even thanked us for a party that was a party for all and not just the children. Job well done! The other matter was my shock at the gratuitous amount of presents and cards this year. I just counted sixty cards between the twins and as for the avalanche of presents on the dining hall table – unbelievable!

Some words on Sunday later this evening.