A Moment of Stillness ...

.. in a busy day.

We met Ali & Nat and the children in Alexandra Park at 9.30 am. A couple of hours there, while they ran around and we ran after them, then Ali took Nico to a party (her 3rd this weekend) and we went back to Claire's with Nat and Hal, to help eat up some of the left-overs from yesterday's celebrations. Claire refused all offers of help with the clearing up. Her friends had done most of the washing up yesterday, but the house and garden still need to be put back to rights. She was adamant ... so we left, feeling guilty and clutching 2 cake stands which she decided she didn't need any more ... I'm not sure I need them either but I couldn't refuse.

We sloped off to Richmond Park for a couple of hours. We'd heard from people at the party that the Isabella Plantation was looking wonderful at the moment. It was such a beautifully sunny afternoon that we decided we must go and see it. And indeed it was amazingly colourful. And very busy.  

It took us some time to find the Still Pond, but wandering around the maze-like paths was pure pleasure, as was watching the passing crowd (extra, I wonder where these beautiful costumes originate). 

The Pond, in the main, wasn't entirely still, the tiny breeze stirring the reflections into an impressionist echo of the scene. Can you see a Mandarin duck in there?

Then another meet up, another park - Duncan and Caroline had been at a First Communion and lunch, and came to catch up with us in Canbury Gardens. We managed to eat chocolate ice cream without ruining the children's smart outfits, and then went back home with them for a bit of a sit down. 

And now we're flopped in our hotel, and planning an early night before driving north tomorrow. I'm ready for a quiet week now ...