Entertaining al fresco

We had some friends round for lunch today, just about the hottest day of the year so far, and N and I were in the garden early to look at rigging up some shading.  N had pondered this yesterday and had already strung some spare washing line between a couple of suitable uprights.  We draped a large sheet we brought back from India over the line and secured it with pegs and clamps and fixed the other side to the fence with more clamps.  It drooped a little in the middle, so we used the clothes-line prop to give it a bit of height.  Rather Heath Robinson, but more than effective.  It has something of a bedouin tent look about it!

It was very pleasant to sit outside and have some respite from the heat.  The four of us sat and chatted away, with ice-cold lemonade and home-made shortbread biscuits.  Our friends have also recently retired, so we are able to compare notes on how we are all adapting to a different way of life.  It was good to hear them say they felt we looked well for leaving work, and seemed content and at ease.  That is how we feel ourselves, so we were pleased that it is noticeable to our friends, too.

We were able to show them around our little plot, they tried some peas straight from the plants, and they sampled our home-grown potatoes and salad leaves, served with salmon, for lunch.  We enjoy their company, and it was a very pleasant way to spend a few hours.

We have made plans to take lunch out on Friday, so I shall bake soft bread rolls again that morning so they will be fresh out of the oven - I can almost smell them already!