Saturday 3rd September began looking as if it might be a fine sunny day and just right to sit outside and chat with fellow members and enjoy the refreshments provided by the hosts David Pick and Jenny Cottee. But we had a shower from about 12 noon for about 30 minutes, just at the time many of us were making our way to the party minus things like coats or umbrellas. This meant sheltering under a tree waiting for the rain to pass. Guests started arriving soon after noon to find we sat under gazebos arranged in the beautiful garden sheltered from the weather. We enjoyed a glass of wine while we compared the past walks we’d been on, recent holidays, Covid or the energy increases.
The PVR Garden Party was again held in David Pick’s lovely garden where in spite of the recent drought conditions in August the trees all seem to be laden with delicious apples, or loaded with Kiwi fruit and masses of flowers in bloom. David gave those interested a guided tour of the garden which showed just how productive a garden can be as well as a place of beauty.
The food which our hosts very generously provided for us all with was a vast choice of things to eat with the food arranged on the patio, all prepared by them. The dishes included quiche, cooked meats, potato and mushroom salad, chicken in sauce and homemade pickled pears. Desserts included: fruit salad, a large bowl of delicious gooseberry fool, cape gooseberries, and walnut butter biscuits. Susan Spires had made another of her fabulous cakes, this time it was her own recipe of an apple, raspberry and chocolate cake.
This Garden Party was a gathering of friends who enjoy walking. Many of us had walked with most, and in some cases all of the group. The afternoon gave us a chance to enjoy a good chat while filling our bodies with a really wonderful and delicious spread of foods. Plus the weather cleared to a lovely fine afternoon.
Thank you, David and Jenny.
Michael Howes