Mr F is another year older but according to him & to steal a line from Jon "Has still got it". The four of us went to The Pot kiln for a fabulous lunch. It was a very sunny day and despite the mad dash to get there on time, the Scotts were late courtesy of traffic problems in Byfleet & the usual on the M25. We sat outside until our table was ready & then there was much deliberation & indecision as to what to eat.
Starters were Mackerel fillets with a green salsa, Cornish Mussels in Cider & cream & Mr F had pigeon breast. We then shared a haunch of Muntjac deer marinated in herbs and grilled, served with new pots a sublime red cabbage and carrots, Sarah had the mushroom risotto with various local mushrooms and Jon had the Fallow Deer T bone, which came with Venison sausages and the aforementioned red cabbage. Not a scrap of food was left it really was excellent & the service as usual was impeccable. Some St Clair 2007 Pinot Noir helped the meal along & then Jon & Ian had a plum sundae which was just perfect. Sweet and tart plums with rich cream and crunchy biscuit crumble all layered in a sundae glass. It was delicious.
Back to Marlow & the birthday boy opened his lovely presents, favorite were the marmite crisps & case of Adnams beer. Seriously he had some great presents which I am sure he will be sending all concerned his thanks.
We then had a few glasses of fizzy stuff, sitting in the summerhouse until it was very dark. We then decided that we would set off some of the Chinese sky lanterns that we had. Hmmm, Sarah was very excited,so were the boys seeing it involved setting fire to something. I was rather concerned, seeing as a few beverages had been consumed by this point and it involved fire.
Firstly the lanterns are twice the size that you think they are going to be, secondly the fuel cell blazes away quite fiercely. The first one went up really without a hitch and floated a long way off towards Bourne End before it burnt out. The second one was a different story as we let it go it just made it over the top of the lean to and then sank down into next doors garden. Horror, this bright red flaming lantern was floundering around on the patio & round the side of the house before with much relief we saw it clear the roof & set off in the same direction as the first. The 3rd and much to Sarah's disappointment last, just scraped over the bushes in the garden before making towards the trees. By this time I was beside myself and had visions of the fire brigade being called and enraged neighbours. However it cleared the trees and sailed off until it went all "ziggy zaggy" and burnt out. Phew. Next time we must make sure we are in more open ground.
On Sunday after much debate which pub to go to, we decide against the Blacksmith & Shoe Horn (You had to be there) and went to the Chequers instead.
As I said when I started this it was a truly great weekend.
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