Silver linings

It has, as they say, been a bit of a day from start to finish. So I suppose I am just touting for sympathy. It has been the sort of day when I have to remind my myself that you have to laugh or, well, I’m not sure what. Men in white coats, perhaps?


But we have had a lovely weekend to fortify us, and I thought I would share with you some Kidstonly cheer. By now, dear readers, I am sure you will have gathered how much I like presents – just look at my list of post categories in case that fact had passed you by. For reasons both agricultural and financial, we won’t be going away on holiday, and what with all the animals and permaculture and self-sufficiency, and all the commitment that goes with it, we don’t get out much, but who needs holidays and outings when you have a holiday sofa and lots of lovely people to stay? And lovely people who bring you lots of lovely presents! Including cake (cake in the plural chocolate form) – but I can’t show you pictures of that because it has all been gobbled up.

My dear sister-in-law, the Seaside Landlady, and the Head Chef’s brother, Bob the Builder, came to stay with all their darling children, Isis, Osiris and Bob Junior. And if you would like to stay at their stylish, bijou seaside residence, built by Bob with his own hands, just click here.

The Seaside Landlady, who is a woman after my own heart, not only came armed with cakes and ale, but also some charming little souvenirs from the temple of the great Cath. How well she knows me! And here they are in all their beauty and domesticity. I don’t think I will let the Head Chef use the oven gloves – he is sure to make a mess of them with gravy stains or cherry juice or the like.


And I have had a hankering after this pincushion ever since I saw it in the catalogue, but felt that thrifty wives don’t indulge themselves in such frippery.


So we have had a jolly weekend with family who understand the complications involved in the permaculture life, and are kind enough to come to the mountain. The holiday sofa has been overflowing with occupants – I think I might even have to acquire another one to be the party sofa, in order to avoid arguments and forcible evictions when we have company present.

The new Cath Kidston bedlinen in the bed-and-breakfast rooms has been reviewed and found satisfactory by the adults, and we have had some outdoor sleepers as well. The more intrepid ones amongst the youthful members of the party slept outside, with my second son, the General, ensconced under a basha in the garden (for those who don’t know, that is a sort of camouflage lid with no walls and doors), keeping guard over the younger and softer ones cosied up in a proper zip-up tent. The Head Chef’s other brother, the Media Mogul, also graced us with his presence, and my other dear sister-in-law brought a nice chocolatey present, too. Chocolate is always given a very warm welcome in this house.



So although, among other things, the day started with taking this naughty dog to the vet (and she has already chewed off her bandage, so I think we will be going back again quite shortly), and has finished with some other slightly distressing slings and arrows, I have the means to comfort myself. I can go and play with my pincushion, think where to hang my oven gloves to best advantage, and munch on a few chocolates. Like the tea towels say, keep calm and carry on!