Partaaaay En Francais!

No party would be complete without music and dancing - 

I LOVE to dance - all night!!

In the evening a friend of Marie's did the most fabulous DJ mix of 

French & English music.

Flashing lights & smoke featured!

Flying the flag!

Such a great buy this dress - love it (& Marie's)!

Visit again soon!

XX

En Francais

So, I escaped to France for a few days to celebrate my friends 50th birthday

 (hard to believe friends are turning 50 - just WOW)!

They live in a beautiful part of France, 68 miles South of Paris called Villemandeur, near Montargis a really pretty medieval town,  with canals, bridges and rivers to cycle :-)

I spent the days cycling, socialising & mooching around the garden which is gorgeous & so bountiful it deserves it's own post later!

& of course eating and drinking....

 Lots of small details were added to the birthday marquee. 

The main course was cooked by a Chef in the garden - seafood Paella.

Everyone was given a job to do.......I was on desert course with 3 others, we collected the plates and 'dished up' handed out to all guests, cleared away and washed up - what a fabulous idea!

Beautiful napkins.

 

Floral touches, courtesy of moi!

 

Glasses were decorated with gold & silver pens & used as table settings!

Canapés & champagne to start.

& this....I have no idea what it is but it was yum - and what a beautiful container!

I know it contained Cointreau, Blue Curacao and possibly Rum!!

We played games - one of which you were given a number. 

The men then came out carrying a chicken with a number round it's neck -

 this was mine....

As a team we had to 'herd' our chicken back to the coop

 without actually touching it with HANDS!

Ahem.....

Before entering the marquee to be seated everyone had the chance to sit here to make a card

 which you then hung inside, cute idea!

Marie's birthday chair!

Beautiful!

& The Birthday Girl Herself!

No party is complete without dancing - 

More to follow...

XX

Weekend in Portinscale

Last Bank Holiday weekend Mr.L & I had the most wonderful time, celebrating the 50th birthday's of three friends!

Between us and another 72 people we hired Hawes End Centre a Hostel, consisting of a Mansion House and cottage, sleeping 74 people in total. There are also two yurts available which sleep 12 each.

 

The weekend was mad - lots of activities and everyone mucking in to share and prepare food, tidy up, turn lights of etc etc!

The first morning a lot of us walked up  Catbells Fell - quite a gentle yet challenging walk being steep and rocky in places. The sun was blazing which was a welcome after the awful weather we have been having :-) The view once at the top was amazing, especially on such a clear day.



Going back we walked along the lakeside through the forest - all having a go at skimming stones, counting how many 'bounces' we managed. Two for me - big WOW!



After lunch it was off to the lake again - this time to go out on the lake in boats. Two  Dragon Boats and a small replica Viking boat. I chose to go on the Viking boat and am so glad I did - the guy taught us to use the sails but also gave us some of the history of the Vikings in that area and the boat itself. We were out for an hour and a half - time flew, it was glorious!

Viking Boat

"This is a unique opportunity to get afloat in one of histories most successful, and notorious designs of boat. "Gift of the Gael" is a replica of a genuine "Berlinn" Viking Longship" - PLATTY+

This weekend just took me back years ;-) Obviously being a hostel we were in girl and boy dorms with bunk beds, HA! I was one of the last to arrive so it was a top bunk for moi!

Getting ready for the celebratory Pyjama Party on Saturday was great fun - all prancing about in our underwear, doing each others hair and make-up - it. was. fabulous. Some sneaking about in the night too for some people in fairly new relationships - NAUGHTY!!

It was mad seeing loads of blokes wearing onesies - surreal dancing to Love Cats as lots of them were lions, tigers etc! So funny!

Lovely Mr.L looking FOXY!

My look for the evening -  PJ's and bed head hair!! Half a can of hairspray to create that!

 Sunday we all surfaced rather slowly compared to the previous morning, mmmm wonder why????

A mountain bike ride was planned in Whinlatter Forest  Now I love me some rough terrain on a mountain bike, always have, the trickier the better!

 Unfortunately 20 minutes in I fell off a narrow track and about 20 feet down the sheer drop - yes, really! So, lack of photo's!

I survived, black and blue, but I survived LOL! I was really pleased I managed to grab hold of tree roots and my bike before it & I started the 80 feet of remaining drop. Everyone was more shook up than me - but they SAW it. I'm a tough cookie!!

In the Café - recovering with tea and cake, yum!

 After that back to the Hostel, quick shower and change (and a bathe for my injuries) and it was off to Keswick for a Pitch & Put session. Never played before, great fun and I managed a 3 PAR - is that good?? Only 4 people per group allowed - pic below of the group behind us.





Just had to be a chippy tea after all the excitement!!

Just look who was watching over us all in the Square at Keswick tucking in to Fish & Chips :-)

This week I've been worn out! As well as stiff and sore from my tumble.

But what a memorable weekend with the best friends EVER! Happy 50th Birthday's! XX