I received the invitation to the ” 70th celebration” in the summer and replied saying that I would go. This was from friends I made more than 40 years ago in Kenya. I decided that I wouldn’t want to drive back in the dark in November so at some stage in the autumn got round to booking a room for a couple of nights. Two nights would give me time to look round Frome.
I decided to go by train and walked from the station – 10 to 15 mins? I booked in and went to my room. Not the best – about twice the width of a single bed with a bed, table, hard chair and cupboard for hanging clothes. Also a small shower room about the width of the bed. it was warm, though which was good as it was a frosty night.
After a cup of tea, I went out for a look round. It was dark by then and very busy because it was the day of the Christmas lights switch on but quite good to see what was happening. It was a bit dangerous in places because one could not see the unevenness of the ground. After a bit I went back to the pub and ate the sandwiches I had brought – a good thing as the pub was not serving food because the lights switch on was just outside and it was far too busy. My room overlooked the market where it was all happening and was quite noisy until it was over. I watched a bit of TV and read a bit until bedtime.
Next day, after a quite good breakfast, I went out – well wrapped up as it was very frosty. I looked at the centre of the town – hilly with cobbled streets and a river. Lots of independent shops, too.
I found somewhere to have coffee, which was quite hard as everyone wanted a seat inside because of the cold!
I then decided I had better locate the church where the party was being held and after going round in circles several times I succeeded. Then found somewhere to have lunch – another church that had been turned into a café and art gallery.
It was then time to go back to my room and change before making my way to Holy Trinity – without going round in circles this time! The party was actually held in the church itself, with tables and a drinks table set up. I went in and was pointed in the direction of a place to leave my coat and then found my hostess!
I also greeted her husband and sons and located their wives and children. There were also another couple I knew a bit from Kenya, but spent most of my time, when not watching the dancing, talking to people I had not met before – always interesting.
We had a lovely meal prepared by friends. It was supposed to be a ploughman’s supper, but it was a very posh ploughman! And the desserts were lovely, too. There was cutting of the cake before the desserts. This had been decorated by the grandchildren so the decorations were interesting!
Afterwards there was a bit more dancing and chat, but I left about 7.0 as I was quite tired.
Had breakfast the next morning before getting a train – with some problems! – home.
So? An enjoyable weekend and it was good to see people again and meet new ones.