We had a nice quiet morning with me doing various online bits and trying to clear emails from my inbox before loading up swimming things and heading over to Lewes. We stopped at Asda on the way to gather picnic supplies. Parking proved to be an issue – both my rather rubbish parking ability (I am fine when I concentrate and always surprise myself at managing when I actually try but would rather find a nice easy drive-into-able space if possible) and the lack of actual parking. I managed a very good reverse parking between two cars then got out to buy a ticket and realised that side of the road was permit holders only 🙁 . I drove around the block again and found a space eventually, parked, paid and we headed over to the park where Ali, Jay, Freya and the other birthday-celebrating-guests were. C, E, M and D who we’ve not seen for ages.
We gave Freya her present and were speedily presented with a present each back for Davies and Scarlett as she’d requested Ali get gifts for all the attending children rather than party bags / prizes for party games. And very excellent, well chosen gifts they were too – Pop Up Book kit for Davies and Lip Balm maker kit for Scarlett.
As the weather had been very changable all morning and we seemed to be heading for a sunny interval Pool Time was called and we headed over to the open air swimming pool next to the park. We’d been there before to celebrate Freya’s fifth birthday, although neither Davies or Scarlett could remember it according to them. I had decided not to go in although I had brought my costume. The water was very cold and it just wasn’t a hot enough day to have me desperate to plunge into cool water. The others all had a good dip before coming back to eat food. Everyone had brought food to share so a very good picnic was on offer including some very interesting ‘pakes’ sweet pizza bases to spread with sweet toppings. After eating most of the others went back into the water again, I sat chatting to J enjoying the sun which had decided it probably would shine actually.
The others had a date at a pizza place for the more traditional savoury version so after a very nice couple of hours they headed off there while we headed for home. We stopped by the allotment to do some watering and harvested some garlic which was ready along with some peas and beans.
I rang my Mum as it was her birthday and we had provisionally planned a barbecue for dinner or a trip to the Harvester depending on weather. The weather had remained changable all day and we decided it was bound to go overcast and breezy as soon as we cooked food outside so the Harvester was the plan.
Back at home the kids got some clean clothes ready to change into and explored their new kits. Ady came home and we all got changed and my parents arrived. We gave Mum her card and presents and she had a look at the ducks, the quails and the chicks before we went to the Harvester. Mum and I decided fizz was in order and we toasted her birthday in the bar before moving through to the restuarant. It was very busy in there and they pre-warned us there was likely to be a bit of a wait for food and service. There was, but the food was probably the best we’ve had there, probably partly due to waiting, partly due to having plenty to drink while we waited and partly due to having lots to talk about while we waited.
Frazer joined us for dessert (he didn’t finish work til 9pm) and then the rest of us returned here for coffee.