The Garden Party

It was a special day at Norton Conyers on Saturday as we were having a party. Thank goodness that the storm of the previous day had vanished leaving clear blue skies and warm sunshine. It was almost as if the garden itself could sense it was taking centre stage again as suddenly after weeks of drabness it glowed with vigour and late spring colour. We cleared out the orangery in preparation and filled every vase with fresh flowers, Giles showing a certain flair for arrangement along with Alyson where as I stuck to posies of lily of the valley having the artistic skill of a gnat! At lunchtime the friends of Norton Conyers gathered to tuck into a lovely luncheon prepared with produce from the garden, sitting and chatting in the vinery whilst admiring the view. Sir James then made a speech declaring that May was a very special month for beginnings given that four of us, Celia, Halina, Nikki and myself all celebrated birthdays in it and that eighteen years ago Giles had first started work there also. Cake and champagne then followed leaving it somewhat difficult to sum up the energy to go back to work! We did however manage to plant the chrysanthemums!
"Spring is natures way of saying "Lets party"!"
Robin Williams