After a difficult night in a strange bed, we were up to cater for
a big breakfast in shifts. Hugh and Julie had provided a mass of food and drinks for yummy breakfasts, which lasted us all week.Today there was fruit, yogurt, cereal, boiled eggs, toast, croissants and coffee. Frannie immediately helped out in a calm manner and helped to find things in the many cupboards. Then we explored the grounds. After weeks of rain, everything looked green but it was rather wet under foot. The house borders the
River Dove and we saw the weir as well as the lawns, shrubs, flower beds and fruit trees. There were rabbits playing on the grass all week.
Paul, Tam, Jess and Tom arrived at 11.30 as we were standing in the drive hoping they would find their way. The others who had been for a walk along the Tissington Trail returned, and David and Cheri also arrived. At 12 o'clock we all drove to the
Rose and Crown pub in Mayfield, where Paul had booked lunch for 21. It was a very nice place and not busy. We were seated at 5 tables and Paul and David H bought a round of drinks, while we perused the menu of around 10 delicious-sounding dishes. I went for salmon with ginger and lime, served with new potatoes and summer vegetables. Others had traditional pub dishes with a special twist. It was all very enjoyable and a chance for everyone to get to know each other better. Occasions when our group of family members get together are rare.
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| Dinner was served in the dining room which looked very pretty |
On return to the house, most people rested in their rooms apart from the ones setting up the
Dining room - Laura and Sam took a lead, helped by Lesley who had brought flowers for the tables, and Kathryn who had made the place settings and provided decorations in red and silver. There were souvenir coasters with a photo of the bride and groom, and red and white napkins, individual menus and programs of the evening. It all looked lovely.
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| Matthew and Sarah in their red Chinese outfits |
The caterers arrived a bit late at 5.30 while everyone gathered downstairs in their party outfits. We waited until 6.30 to have the
champagne apero, provided by Lesley and David and set up in the front sitting room with help from Tom. The caterers were on hand then to serve drinks, accompanied by snacks. The
wedding party dinner was served at 7pm. Matthew and Sarah sat at the top table, with me, Richard, Joan, Frannie, Laura and Sam. The other guests were mixed up at three tables of 4 or 5. It worked well. Starters were
chicken and parma ham terrine, smoked salmon and prawns or tomato and basil soup. The main course was a choice of
lamb with buttery mash or cod garnished with mussels and new potatoes, served with summer vegetables. The meal was accompanied by red wines from Paul and David N, as well as two special bottles of
Newton Chardonnay from California, bought by us in Switzerland. After the main course, there was a musical interlude provided by Jess, who played two lovely pieces on the recorder. Then a dessert of
chocolate tart or pavlova with berries was served. It was all delicious.
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| The wedding flowers matched the table decorations |
David N proposed
a toast to Matthew and Sarah, who then cut the cake, a
red velvet sponge cake with white icing made by Frannie. It was delicious. Matthew answered the toast, and the Kings Heath Clixbys sang two songs accompanied by Joe on his new guitar. Then we all adjourned to the large sitting room for a picture quiz set by Paul - Clixbys versus Newtons. The Clixbys, who are quiz experts, won by a narrow margin. Then we played the 'Wilcox game' led by Jess Crooks when we had to shout out the answer to a topic beginning with a letter drawn from a Scrabble bag. Hugh was the winner. Then Joe played his guitar and we all joined in songs. It was a lovely end to the evening, although rumour had it that the younger members prolonged the evening outside on the trampoline. Wet grass on the floor the next day gave the game away.
