Scribblings from the Mitchy Side

All I can say is, kudos to my cousins, Beverley, Heather and Ian, for the organising because it was wonderful! It was held in the Old Palace Lodge in Dunstable, which is a lovely old hotel and restaurant and a very amiable place to have a gathering.

I was actually on time picking up Aunty Beryl and Ernie, which is probably a record of some sort and we had a very painless journey over to Dunstable, arriving well before scheduled time at 12.30. So we had a drink at the bar while we waited and gradually people started arriving. I even recognised some of them! *grins* I did have to have the idiot's guide to Which Children Belonged to Which Cousin but I got that sorted out (see pics below). Everyone seemed pleased to see me and it was good to catch up with some folks I hadn't seen for years.

Dinner was served at 2pm and was very nice indeed. Certainly the starter and dessert were wonderful - the apple pie was so good I had to apologise for the sucking vortex I created around my plate wolfing it down :) If I had any complaints at all, it would be that the vegetables were a smidge undercooked, particularly the roast spuds. But other than that, it was all well served and presented.

Ian made a wonderful speech that reduced Lorna (and not a few others) to tears, being both funny and touching at the same time. Harold also made a speech and insisted on toasting Lorna, whom he called the lynchpin of the family. Aww :) I may have sniffled a little. Maybe.

Then there was yakking and chatting and catching up, it was fun! Of particular interest was the Keech Family Tree that my Aunty Hazel has been working on for 8 years. She presented it to Lorna and Harold in a beautiful album and it's a fascinating read. Apparently it's all available online now - I'm wondering if I can negotiate to get another hard copy produced. She's done a superb job, tracing the family line as far back as the 17th century and Thomas Keech, master tailor :) And hey, therealsherbs, guess what? Apparently my grandfather lived at No.8, Arthur Street, Miskin, Mountain Ash when he was a young man! Worked as a miner. I'll have to do some research next time I visit :)

By about 5, Beryl and Ernie made it clear they were ready to go when I was, so after I'd nabbed the photos I wanted, we trundled back to WGC, arriving back shortly before 6. So all in all, it was a Very Good Day.





Aunty Beryl and Ernie



This is Lorna and Harold and their grandchildren. I love this pic :)
From Left to right: Danielle, Annabelle, Claire, Louise, Lorna, Emily, Ashleigh (front), Uncle Harold and Mark

Claire and Mark are Ian and Jacquie's children. Ashleigh and Danielle are Beverley and Graham's children and Louise, Emily and Annabelle are Heather and Ian's children.

And talking of Beverley, Heather and Ian, here we all are...



Left to right: Beverley, me, Ian and Heather. Hee! This is a great pic :) I'll be interested if any of you think there's a family resemblance. I can see it between the siblings, but I'm not sure if you can see it in relation to me ;)