Florabunda

I was up and out early to go to the local shop and get some essentials which we'd realised last night were missing from my 'pantry'. It was a glorious morning, warm, with bright sunshine and clear blue sky. With shopping out of the way, I pointed the camera at this typical display of spring blossom which seemed to have burst into bloom overnight all over my neighbourhood (well, some of it had been there already, but this morning seemed like the first time that all the tress that could blossom had suddenly decided to do it at the same time. which made for a truly spectacular display).

TV coverage of the Spanish Grand Prix began at 12.00, with race-start at 1.00, and guests were due between 12.15 and 12.30. There was some food preparation which had to be done in advance, and the sangria blanco has to be prepared and final dusting, tidying, table setting done. Normally I'd get into a bit of a flap as time went by, but this time I only had one tiny moment of flap and all-in-all was unusually calm when the guests began to arrive. Carl was a wonderful help. He often helps me out as commis-chef when I'm entertaining, but this time he was more main chef than commis, and did a wonderful job.

The race was an eventful one, with only thirteen cars finishing, two retiring due to engine blowout, and Heikki Kovalainen suffering a nasty high-speed crash into the tyre wall and having to be airlifted to hospital. Ferrari finished one-two, with Lewis Hamilton finishing third from his fifth-place qualifying spot. We watched Hairspray after the race, and thoroughly enjoyed it (more power to John Travolta for his portrayal of the mother). People left around 7.30 or so, and Carl got the DART home just before 9.00. I tackled the start of the after-lunch tidy-up, but went to bed around 10.00 with crockery, cutlery and glasses still waiting to be washed and tidied away. A tiring weekend, but an enjoyable one.