Tuesday 16th August 2022

Woke around 0800. Breakfasted downstairs with the old folks. Gave Margaret her birthday present, the black cardigan she had requested. It seemed to fit OK. The chocolate brownies I had ordered failed to materialise, courtesy of DPD...hopefully they will turn up tomorrow. Needed some odds and ends, so borrowed the Up! and drove down to the shops at Darras Hall in the rain. Bought bread at Davidson's, and some cheese and things in the Co-op. Back at 12 High View, dad decided to defrost the drinks fridge in the dining room, which resulted in some leakage on to the laminate flooring...we had to remove the fridge from it's position in the dining room cabinet, and wheel it out to the lobby, but not before we witnessed 92 year old John lying on the floor hacking away at the ice that had collected to the rear of the fridge! Somehow, we managed to fit in a cheese omelette lunch around the ensuing chaos. 

The kitchen got a bit busy post lunch, as Aki beat a mascarpone cream for the birthday cake, and Kath made a spinach pie for the vegetarian guest. Jim and Emma turned up around 1730. Emma had brought a homemade Rollo cheesecake, which we added to the dessert fund. Kath and Stuart arrived around 1800. Stu had brought Margaret a big bunch of flowers. They re[aired to the living room, and we started to get to know each other. I repaired to the kitchen to prepare the chicken bourguignon with mushrooms. Sat down for Margaret's crispbread starter, with prosecco...Jim and Emma stuck to fizzy water, rather impressively. Then repaired to the galley to cook the main course, which we had with sauteed potatoes, peas, and carrots. Aki was on hand to assist, and we got eight portions plated up and on the table. It seemed to go down fairly well, though I didn't think it as tasty as the beef version I've done before. Aki then prepared the birthday cake, a store bought chocolate fudge cake which she had smothered in whipped cream and raspberries. We stuck a candle on top and sang Happy Birthday. This was followed by Emma's Rollo cheesecake! We staggered from table to living-room for post prandial drinks and chat before Jim and Emma headed off, soon followed by Stuart and Kath...