Saturday/Sunday

Recovery and do it all again……

But first, Saturday morning at 4am our alarms went off. We had had about 4 hours sleep at this point. Kate was bidding at an auction for a place in Mascot, with Andrew there in person to do the bidding. We were all clustered around the phone listening in. Andrew got in 2 bids before the price went past what Kate set as her limit, and in the end her limit was exceeded by $150K….crazy stuff. The search continues.

So, it was back to bed for a much needed sleep in. When we re-surfaced it was for a large breakfast of bacon and eggs and then off to the Cowe’s place for a recovery BBQ. When we arrived we were confronted by the Bride in her finest PJ’s and welly boots, broom in hand.

Gradually more and more people turned up, all looking a little worse for wear. As luck would have it some more chairs were needed and we were able to go with Rob down to his old quarry where the chairs were stored. The quarry has long since been flooded and used as a wild life reserve. It is fed by a natural aquifer and Rob uses it for irrigation when necessary. It is a lovely wild place.

After a reviving beer for me, flavoured Gins for the girls and a sausage sanger we headed over to Trish and Harry’s place for a tour of their tree business. It is a very large concern, employing over 50 people. They propagate seeds and sell the trees on after 6 to 18 months depending upon the tree variety. It has grown from very humble beginnings by Harry into a business that sells over 12 million plants a year. Their son, Al, is now mainly in charge of running the place but Trish and Harry are still hands on for some of the time. It was a fascinating tour.

It was then time for an easy night at home and an early bedtime, ready to start again tomorrow.

And now it is Sunday.

A very relaxed start to the day with a long lingering breakfast of mushrooms and scambled eggs. A game of cards, and then the start of packing up ready for tomorrows trip north.

Today is the recovery for the recovery of yesterday. Well not so much a recovery but a new party time. Today is all about friends and neighbours of Rob and Lorna, farming colleagues and workers. Just another 120 people for lunch.

The weather has not really come good, but it is not raining. Another fantastic spread is laid on: nibbles on arrival; plenty of drinks; platters of entrees; platters of main course ( including masses of spuds, of course) and platters of desert. The catering for all these events has been amazing.

One observation is warranted: they love a drink in the Borders, and for the blokes it is definitely the beer. I’ve been “chipped” a number of times for drinking champagne intead of a pint. The blokes were in seventh heaven living their dream of being their own barmen as they were able to pull their own beers.

We meet heaps of new people, including the groom’s Mum (Mandy, delightful) and many friends and other farmers from the local area. Ian and Morag were there which was great. They enjoyed being included in the celebrations, and when we return to stay with them in 3 weeks we will catch up with Rob and Lorna for a game of golf at Dunbar where Morag is the past President.

We can’t thank everyone enough for the kindness, generosity and friendship we have been shown. Of course special thanks the Rob and Lorna and Abby and James. But also, a huge thankyou to the Frews, all of them.

It was sad to say goodbye. We topped of the day with a trip to the pub at Auchencrow, a pub we had had a big night in back in 1986 with Rob and Lorna. Small pub, big night.

Thankyou Borders, Chirnside and Old Castles. This countryside is just so picturesque at this time of year. Just after harvest with the rolled hay left in the paddocks and the fields between the hedge rows freshly ploughed for the next crop, and sprouts and cabbages coming on a treat. Love it !!