Party

The Cheese's Annual Garden Party! Trains, Castles, Teenagers and an Unexpected Guest.

Things kicked off before lunchtime when Rob & Di, and separately M, arrived. Gazebo's went up. The signalbox (on this blip) got tidied, even J's Room of Extreme Lego got tidied, thinking we might have a lego fan visiting. Bouncy Castle arrived and inflated. Railway track got cleared (even roping in the guests to help clear some overenthusiastic plants), and the trains, and the party, started running.

Had a couple of showers which was irritating but, on the whole, the weather was reasonably kind to us.

Not entirely sure what's happing with the Jenga. Is it Art? Is it wanton violence?

The unexpected events including John arriving before nightfall; Kay & Steve who'd not been for a long time; and, spotted by guest and wildlife professional Guy, a juvenile grass snake at the edge of the pond; seen here in the hands of the wannabe wildlife professional, S. I was entertained by the snake seemingly trying to match the Celtic knot on his T-shirt!

Many years ago we had a visiting adult grass snake in the pond - about a metre long! Grass snakes are harmless, for those reading this from behind the sofa.

We had a bit of a deflating time when a seam burst on the bouncy castle. Good ole Gaffer Tape obliged as a temporary measure.

It was great chatting with old friends; entertaining new ones with the trains, and just generally lazing and grazing. Most had left by the early evening, settling in two pockets, one of teenagers in the signalbox no doubt setting the world to rights; the other in the house. It's been part of the tradition to watch something silly, typically The Goodies, but this time we finished off the evening with UP!

--
Note for those I know read this from overseas. It is not usual to have a signalbox in an English garden!

Several years ago we needed more space. Being a family that likes trains and heritage structures, we were pleased to find a company who would make us a full sized signalbox. It's served very well for band practices and sleepovers!