Dinner for friends

The morning started with a phone call from Social Services who had been alerted by the police regarding Nathaniel’s walkabout. They said it was just routine after an “incident”. I’m really impressed how well these different agencies coordinate. (They said that if he’d been on holiday from a different area they’d contact them.). When I told #3 daughter she reinforced the seriousness of the situation to Nathaniel. Ella said “Well Nathaniel now social services will send you to a care home”. Too much Tracey Beaker and The Dumping Ground!

The rest of the morning was spent cooking for Linda and Colin coming. Once it was more or less all done, she texted to say Colin, her partner, had had a positive Covid test. (Her son’s wedding was 10 days ago). The poor things had already been isolating as she was pinged and tonight was freedom. But not to be. They have been vaccinated but 25% of hospital admissions are people in that situation. Hopefully they are all ok as Linda’s mum in 94.

I called Carol and Phil who were not busy so they came to help us eat the dinner. Chilled Courgette and Pea Soup, a bake with spinach, grilled yellow courgettes, ricotta, eggs, tomatoes and feta, accompanied with new potatoes and salad, and the Strawberry Lemon Soufflé which worked out well. I used Mr C’s produce as much as possible - courgettes, spinach, potatoes, salad, herbs and the strawberries the children picked on Sunday. I enjoyed making it and we all had a lovely evening. It’s so nice to relax with old friends.

The only downside was the heavy rain hammering on the conservatory roof was so loud we could hardly hear each other at one point. We do need the rain though.