The Duchy of Lancaster

Before Christmas we found out that the Duchy of Lancaster had very kindly donated money towards the cost of our tracking and hoist for the downstairs bedroom. We had specifically chosen a system that would operate in the most intuitive and discreet way possible. We definitely didn't want clunky and that costs more money! So this gift was very gratefully received.

It took a little bit of organising but Paul Griffiths very kindly came over and presented us with the cheque.

He was really impressed to see with what we've done with the house. It's always lovely to show it off.

 

Looking through the photos it always amazes me how much we've achieved on the house.

From this:

To this:

And now to this:

As a visitor commented, "Who wouldn't want to live here?!"

Celebrations

It was Eleanor’s birthday Wednesday and she was turning the grand old age of 25. Owing to such an occasion Eleanor had managed to arranged about 6 parties, one of which was at St Paul's. Invitations had been written and sent and apparently around 16 people would be attending; some people I know and some I didn’t. 

The guests started arriving from about 6pm. Fred and Pauline were the first. They had had a bit of a stressful time as the driver had said that he couldn’t fit two wheelchairs in the car, but somehow Pauline had persuaded him. Eleanor helped both Pauline and Fred into the house and then they came into the kitchen to chat while we got into the food ready. As the guests appeared Eleanor welcomed them in and go them a drink. The room soon filled up and people were chatting and mingling. There were people Eleanor knew from the youth group she used to attend, from her church, from the Catholic Fellowship she attends on a Saturday and from L’ Arche. Food was served at 7pm and we crammed round the table to sit and eat together. After the meal, tea and coffee were served alongside a huge chocolate cake and the obligatory ‘Happy Birthday’ was sung. In L’ Arche we pass around a candle at someone’s birthday meal and it gives us the opportunity to say thank you for that person, to say a prayer for them or to share stories about them. As the candle was passed round what was echoed by each person was the sense of joy and fun that Eleanor brings and the depth of friendship she cultivates.

We cleared plates, made some space and had a bit of a dance. There were plenty of balloons around so we played the age old game of ‘Keep the balloon of the floor’ which appeals to all of us whatever age. Once we ran out of energy we sat around and chatted. The evening had a really relaxed feel to it and it seemed as if everyone was enjoying each others company.

By about 9.45 pm people were starting to leave.  It was a fantastic evening full of lots of fun. Eleanor had orchestrated a great party and it was lovely to meet her other friends.