So, it may have been a little on the chilly side, but at least the rain held off! Les and Kath, now in their 70th year of married life together were both on good form and very pleased to see so many people from the family meeting up at Lauraine’s house last Sunday afternoon. The hog roast had been cooking in the back garden since 7.00 that morning and by the time we got to lunch it was full of the flavours you’d expect (if a little off-putting with its eyes still appearing to look at you!)

With good food, fine wine and excellent company came a speech from Philip to encourage everyone to raise a glass to celebrate the previous 69 years of marriage. Not that people needed encouraging, of course!

And then a response speech from Les which I don’t think I’ll ever forget. Packed with meaning, humour and emotion, he spoke with such clarity and thoughtfulness and touched the hearts of everyone there.

I hope I’m as happy as Kath and Les are when I’ve been married 69 years. Tomorrow, Karen and I celebrate our ninth wedding anniversary. Far fewer years but just as happy!

The photographs below are a small summary of the day. If you’d like a complete of them please email simon@bonjourphotography.com and I’ll arrange for that to happen.

Hope you enjoy them!

It was possibly the perfect weekend. Good friends came from Manchester, Rochester and Cheltenham to spend a time of catching up and relaxation with us in Baughurst, Hampshire. What’s more, my year of not eating any chocolate came to an end (it all stemmed from a moneyless bet with Peter May of ClarionCall,  but let’s not go there!) What better way to have my first taste of chocolate than in the company of friends?

After a wonderful lunch of home-made soup and bread provided by Rosheen and Nik, we all spent the afternoon swimming at the local spa, or should I say the girls swam with the kids while the guys looked on from the Jacuzzi!

A fantastic Spaghetti Bolognese from ‘D’ rounded off the day with a very impromptu but talented show by the members of ‘Starbust’ (aka the kids) in the style of X-Factor. Three of us were nominated as judges and I made a very convincing Simon Cowell (if I do say so myself!)

Sunday roast, provided by my good lady wife, satisfied us so much that a refreshing walk in the country beckoned. It was only 45 minutes around the village so there was enough time for frisby and a game of ‘it’ or tag, as us oldies used to call it.

But before I allowed anyone to warm themselves with tea, home made cakes, chocolate around an open fire when we got home, a group photograph was taken. One formal, one not so. Which do you prefer – the first (backlit and more formal) or the second (chilling on the climbing frame)?

And the incredible chocolate gift from Annabel Errington…!