Celebrations in Somerset

It could have seemed like a long drive down to Somerset, but the majority of the guests at this weekends 70th celebrations had come from much further than North Wales. We broke the journey by having a night with other siblings in Taunton, (and the 'traditional' cooked breakfast at Neil's), before carrying on. It was a real international select team that came together in the south-west to celebrate Pat's 70th Birthday. With flights landing from France, Newfoundland in Canada, Frankfurt and Seattle, we all assembled on Saturday morning at the beautiful old hall of Blackmoor Farm in deepest darkest Somerset.

We had the quirkiest room ever, with some serious antique features, including our own 'upstairs' suite! It was like going back in time, with everything beautifully preserved.

But before we could get too comfy, we made our way down to the local pub, for what was to be my induction into the crazy world of 'Somerset Skittling'. In the pub (and many in this area, I'm told), was a skittles alley. Nine, insanely heavy skittles were evenly laid out at the far end of an uphill, slightly bumpy alley

And we each had three equally heavy, round(ish) wooden balls to bowl. I've no idea what kind of hardwood it was, but they were heavy as lead.

As far as I could establish, one has to try and knock down as many skittles (or pins perhaps?) as possible, after bouncing the ball off the wooden centre-board and without hitting the sides of the alley. Sounds easy right!?...

After a few practice throws/bowls/bounces, the assembled cast was split into two teams for the main tournament.

Scores were kept on the pub's official scoreboard, which provided a thrilling commentary as well as some good mental arithmetic practice. 

After a strong start, my team's form took a slow and steady dive (possibly due to being unused to the effects of afternoon cider consumption) and took a convincing beating, with Bob getting the top score, followed by Andy and Clare in silver and bronze position). However, I should point out that Clare was the only person to get all the skittles down in one round. It was a brilliant activity, with everyone getting involved. A 'time-out' was called at around 4:30pm, and we returned to the manor house to relax before dinner. A nap would probably have been prudent at this point, but we spent the time relaxing with a drink or two at Andy and Jonelle's luxurious 'house', in one of the beautifully converted barns, before getting changed for dinner. The evening meal, after a prosecco starter, was served in the great hall on a twenty-foot banquet table (made from single lengths of wood!), which Anna had decorated.

The food was excellent and we all felt like royalty as it was brought to the table and served to us. I had to make sure I didn't over eat on the starter and main course, as there looked to be some serious deserts to contend with afterward! (not served by the knight). I managed some of each, only to discover that there was still a cheese course and coffee and mints to come!

And of course, there was 'The Birthday Cake'....

After the meal, (I could barely move, I was so full), we were all invited to walk round to 'The Cider Press', where Bob and Pat were staying, for nightcaps, then 'the siblings' retired to the drawing room for some late night chatter. 

We got a bit of sleep but were back down in the Great Hall before we knew it, for a long and sociable breakfast. Then all too soon, it was time for people to start to begin their homeward (or in some cases onward) journeys. It had been a marvelous event, with family, friendships and a whole lot of fun. It had been a real 'occasion', especially with the fantastically unusual venue and everyone having traveled from so far around the globe to be there. We left utterly full and completely exhausted. Thanks, Pat - you sure know how to throw a party!