Summer Fetes and Fairs

I cannot resist a fete, a fair, a hospital fund raising event... anything that has a few tables, bunting hanging from trees, or balloons tied to front of any gate... it means pimps, cake and fun!

Driving through this county is tough for me, I am forever stopping abruptly, always saying  "I just want to see if they have... ". I have no idea what I think will be different, they all seem to be very similar, however, they epitomise summer, the days are just endless.  

Well, we have meet the bestest of families in Cornwall, they are the Cox / Hawken family and boy, do we just LOVE being with them. They live in a grand old manor, the extended family are all together, 3 perfect children, the family labrador and even a couple of fluffy chickens. We were invited to assist with their Village Fete Day... what a sheer privilege.

The day was divine, the volunteers were all chirpy and eager, and the settings was magnificent. I kept on saying to Dino, that is just like a page from Country Living Magazine! 

Impeccable white marquees, hand sewn vintage bunting, classic wooden chairs and tables, local wild flowers in old jam jars, we had the pimps stand, there were gourmet cakes and teas, the second hand book stand, plants for sale, loads of games and fun stands and even a fabulous singer. Dino was in charge of "Splat the Rat" and I had the "Pinata game", we were able to force the tiny little children to part company with their parents hard earned money and try some of these very hard games.

What can I say, summer is not summer without a good old fashioned village fete. So next time you are out and about, and you see one of the those badly painted signs, indicating "this way to the village fete" don't ignore it, you may get to eat some delectable food, try your hand at sweetie tombola and even attempt a throw at welly wanging!

Sculpture of the Month - Game, Set, Match!

Sir Terrence is very special. His family has owned the same Manor Home since 1423, he lives with his aging mother Lady Henrietta Winthorpe III, and their 12 stray cats, 7 lamas and 4 tortoises .

He did graduate with honors, but found his major in Stained Glass from the University of Edinburgh a little too suffocating. So for the last 23 years he has decided to look after mummy, answer all correspondence and each day at 11am, have a hit of tennis with his tennis teacher, Milo. He has never played anyone else, as he is a little sacred of playing a real match.

He is intrigued with all things tennis: the tradition, the rules, the facts, he is a purist... One day, he may even get Lady H to allow him to go to Wimbledon, but for the moment he is quite content following the game via the wireless

So here's to you Sir Terrence... "Game, Set, Match!"

Painting of the Month - Happy Days

The sun is shining, the air is warm and life is good

Johnno and Judith are enjoying their day out, on their fuchsia coloured, 1954 vintage Piaggio Vespa. He is an illustrator, he likes to read books about bees and wasps, and he cooks a fabulous macademian crusted sea bass with mango cream sauce. Judith is a librarian, she is a keen quilt maker and she is a fan of Elvis.

Whenever they can, they are out and about in the Cornish countryside, taking in the sights. They normally bring along a gourmet picnic and a chilled bottle of Muscadet, they have great taste

Yes, they love life, love the freedom and love each other. What else can one say but "Happy Days"