Sunday, August 30, 2009
Walk like an Egyptian!
Before I fall asleep this evening I should recall yesterday evening's fun.
We had been invited to a barbecue - this turned out to be a meal at the table, cooked in the kitchen. The weather was just not good enough for an evening in the garden.
Our hosts were Sue (Bill's cousin) and Chris.
Sue is the daughter of Bill's Uncle Sam Brand.
When I first met them the family were living in London.
But Sue and Chris moved to Crawley to live and work with a young family of their own. I always admired Sue. She was awaiting her O level results when a hasty marriage was arranged and her education was put on hold. Later, with 2 children, she trained to be a teacher - showing determination that I would never have had.
I would meet Sue in various schools and we heard of some of Chris's exploits as a local councillor - he was Mayor of Crawley for one year.
But we have never socialised or really got to know them.
So we were happy to put things right.
There were to be another couple enjoying the evening with us.
At the last minute Chris phoned to warn us that the other couple would be wearing Egyptian costume - and in fact it seemed that Chris and Sue would be doing so also. The foursome had recently had a holiday in Egypt.
You can imagine we began to feel like shy outsiders.
"Oh well, - we needn't stay too long." we thought.
In fact we stayed until almost midnight.
I had my camera with me and intended to take a few snap shots - but never got around to it.
The other husband was like Chris from a London Irish family, a Catholic and an ex Labour councillor.
It turns out he was our councillor until last year.....and I was one who didn't vote for him!
His wife had been a county councillor.
But still we didn't feel like outsiders.
In fact there was lots of laughter and each showing interest in other's activities.
This morning we went to Reigate. I am not sure that I should have bought the doll's house. Hopefully when sorted out it will sell, maybe before Christmas. But it takes up a lot of space.
But we did buy enough apart from the doll's house to fill the trolley.
I haven't got round to sorting much of it.
I have been describing. Cricket lovers will know of the annual Wisden Guides. I bought one dated 1924 - with potentially £100 plus of value. The other one I bought was 1957. I wanted both these described and listed on EBay straight away.
These 2 books belonged to the same cricket lover - he has written his name in both. I wonder what happened to the 30 or so books that came between them.
I also have listed half a dozen railway books. Then Bill and I decided that the 6 bicycle manufacturers metal badges (to be fixed onto the frame) should also be listed. They were bought this morning.
So I was quite busy.
I have already been dozing this evening - very much an autumn type evening.
There was an edition of the Antiques Roadshow and I felt I wanted the cosiness of drawing the curtains as we obviously would in winter.
Tomorrow is a Bank Holiday - the shop is not open.
We will go to Horsham for another car boot sale. Then we have to get ready for an athletics meeting.
I think there will be a drastic shortage of timekeepers. Especially as we have not been given any details about the meeting. Most people who thought they just might be attending won't bother. One of us will no doubt have to be chief timekeeper.
I have already agreed to do that next Sunday - so maybe tomorrow is Bill's turn.
Time for bed - soon! Its only 9 o'clock, but after a drink I shall be ready for some sleep.
Finally - welcome to the family tree, Caleb. Our niece Fiona - daughter of Bill's sister, Pam gave birth to Caleb yesterday evening.
A good family name - a great great grandfather of Bill's was Caleb Ellis.
Later in the year we expect Ruben - another from the Ellis family tree.
We had been invited to a barbecue - this turned out to be a meal at the table, cooked in the kitchen. The weather was just not good enough for an evening in the garden.
Our hosts were Sue (Bill's cousin) and Chris.
Sue is the daughter of Bill's Uncle Sam Brand.
When I first met them the family were living in London.
But Sue and Chris moved to Crawley to live and work with a young family of their own. I always admired Sue. She was awaiting her O level results when a hasty marriage was arranged and her education was put on hold. Later, with 2 children, she trained to be a teacher - showing determination that I would never have had.
I would meet Sue in various schools and we heard of some of Chris's exploits as a local councillor - he was Mayor of Crawley for one year.
But we have never socialised or really got to know them.
So we were happy to put things right.
There were to be another couple enjoying the evening with us.
At the last minute Chris phoned to warn us that the other couple would be wearing Egyptian costume - and in fact it seemed that Chris and Sue would be doing so also. The foursome had recently had a holiday in Egypt.
You can imagine we began to feel like shy outsiders.
"Oh well, - we needn't stay too long." we thought.
In fact we stayed until almost midnight.
I had my camera with me and intended to take a few snap shots - but never got around to it.
The other husband was like Chris from a London Irish family, a Catholic and an ex Labour councillor.
It turns out he was our councillor until last year.....and I was one who didn't vote for him!
His wife had been a county councillor.
But still we didn't feel like outsiders.
In fact there was lots of laughter and each showing interest in other's activities.
This morning we went to Reigate. I am not sure that I should have bought the doll's house. Hopefully when sorted out it will sell, maybe before Christmas. But it takes up a lot of space.
But we did buy enough apart from the doll's house to fill the trolley.
I haven't got round to sorting much of it.
I have been describing. Cricket lovers will know of the annual Wisden Guides. I bought one dated 1924 - with potentially £100 plus of value. The other one I bought was 1957. I wanted both these described and listed on EBay straight away.
These 2 books belonged to the same cricket lover - he has written his name in both. I wonder what happened to the 30 or so books that came between them.
I also have listed half a dozen railway books. Then Bill and I decided that the 6 bicycle manufacturers metal badges (to be fixed onto the frame) should also be listed. They were bought this morning.
So I was quite busy.
I have already been dozing this evening - very much an autumn type evening.
There was an edition of the Antiques Roadshow and I felt I wanted the cosiness of drawing the curtains as we obviously would in winter.
Tomorrow is a Bank Holiday - the shop is not open.
We will go to Horsham for another car boot sale. Then we have to get ready for an athletics meeting.
I think there will be a drastic shortage of timekeepers. Especially as we have not been given any details about the meeting. Most people who thought they just might be attending won't bother. One of us will no doubt have to be chief timekeeper.
I have already agreed to do that next Sunday - so maybe tomorrow is Bill's turn.
Time for bed - soon! Its only 9 o'clock, but after a drink I shall be ready for some sleep.
Finally - welcome to the family tree, Caleb. Our niece Fiona - daughter of Bill's sister, Pam gave birth to Caleb yesterday evening.
A good family name - a great great grandfather of Bill's was Caleb Ellis.
Later in the year we expect Ruben - another from the Ellis family tree.
