The calm before the storm

11.00 am: The marquee is up and all is quiet - 1 hour until the staff and residents arrive and transform this into a 'high end' (PR talk) party and barbeque venue. The gazebo will be erected and fitted out for the caterers who are expected to arrive at 6pm. The tour leaders are rehearsing their spiel for the visits to the new houses. The wine has been delivered and is chilling in the fridge.

Tonight the charm offensive will be evident and prospective donors will be wined, dined, and courted.