Celebrating JC's 40th
May. 3rd, 2014 10:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sawylThe day of the Good Doctor's party to celebrate his fortieth birthday in the presence of friends and family. A couple of us caught a taxi from outside my place, picked up a couple of others en route and arrived Jack in the Green slightly ahead of everyone else. We weren't alone for long: the main party arrived 5-10 minutes later, having finally managed to find seats for everyone in one of a vast fleet of taxis.
Shown into the rather charming lounge, we set about making ourselves at home. From left to right: Mark H, Mark S, Clare.
Clare, experimenting with my camera, managed to grab a shot of me looking characteristically awkward. And yes, I am wearing exactly the same clothes as last week!
After a chance to chat and practice our French over drinks and canapes, we moved into the dining area and sat ourselves around the table with the Franophones clustered around the South and the monoglot Anglophones in the North.
I've managed to catch the Good Doctor in a characteristic moment, his glass of prosecco upraised as he waits for his guests to find themselves a seat. For the record I was actually sat at the opposite end of the table, acting as a buffer between Clare and Mark.
The Good Doctor preparing to blow out the candle on his birthday pudding — I believe he went for the white chocolate parfait. I, on the other hand, went for a delicious coffee cake served with blood oranges and a truly delightful cardamon custard.
We lingered over lunch until four before heading back to Exeter for tea on the patio to make the most of a surprisingly sunny afternoon.
Once the children had exhausted themselves playing games with Bertie the Dachshund, those that were leaving starting to wander off either towards home or, in the case of those who were staying, towards supper at the Victoria Inn. Despite planning to knock off early, I found myself persuaded to step inside for a few minutes, only to finally leave around half-past nine. Still, I had a good time — more so than if I'd gone home with a book — and it was nice to catch up with some people I hadn't seen for ages.
Shown into the rather charming lounge, we set about making ourselves at home. From left to right: Mark H, Mark S, Clare.
Clare, experimenting with my camera, managed to grab a shot of me looking characteristically awkward. And yes, I am wearing exactly the same clothes as last week!
After a chance to chat and practice our French over drinks and canapes, we moved into the dining area and sat ourselves around the table with the Franophones clustered around the South and the monoglot Anglophones in the North.
I've managed to catch the Good Doctor in a characteristic moment, his glass of prosecco upraised as he waits for his guests to find themselves a seat. For the record I was actually sat at the opposite end of the table, acting as a buffer between Clare and Mark.
The Good Doctor preparing to blow out the candle on his birthday pudding — I believe he went for the white chocolate parfait. I, on the other hand, went for a delicious coffee cake served with blood oranges and a truly delightful cardamon custard.
We lingered over lunch until four before heading back to Exeter for tea on the patio to make the most of a surprisingly sunny afternoon.
Once the children had exhausted themselves playing games with Bertie the Dachshund, those that were leaving starting to wander off either towards home or, in the case of those who were staying, towards supper at the Victoria Inn. Despite planning to knock off early, I found myself persuaded to step inside for a few minutes, only to finally leave around half-past nine. Still, I had a good time — more so than if I'd gone home with a book — and it was nice to catch up with some people I hadn't seen for ages.
