Tuesday 7 August 2007

Anticipation....

The bunting is going up all over the village. From every lamp post now hangs a pennant in village colours, blue and yellow; every balcony now caparisoned like a medieval charger. All in preparation for the Medieval Fair which starts next week. Soon the jugglers, stilt walkers, musicians and fire eaters will turn up, this town another stop on the summer festival circuit in the South West.

Columns of medieval knights on horseback will process up and down the streets before thrilling us with their jousting tournaments and hordes of contented children will swarm over the market place, full of wooden mediaeval toys with not a battery in site. Music will float on the air from every public space, the sound of the drums reverberating off these ancient walls. Tourists will flock to watch, listen and feel the rhythm as the heart of the bastide beats strongly again.

However it's not the arrival of the cavalcade that I anticipate with a mixture of excitement and hesitation, it's the Other Family, due later this week. School gate friends, great company, like minded, wine swiggers, Toon Army. Their children are delightful. Often, I borrow the daughter for girlie things like baking pink fairy cakes and playing Barbies. She's a real little sweetie, though she's named after a battle maiden and more than able on her own to cope with older brothers. The son, a delightful, thoughtful boy who loves both his farmyard pets and all things mechanical, is soulmate to my elder boy.

We should all get on, there is room enough here for us all to spread out and a new cellarful of wine to lubricate any awkwardness but they've never been here before. Our family has our own history here now and love it for many reasons but will the Other Family fall in love with the village as we have done? Will they find it quaint and pretty or just run down? Quiet and peaceful, full of character or dull and boring? There is no beach, we don't even have a garden or what my sister calls a sit ootery here, it's a town house. A novelty for country friends perhaps, the sounds of the street instead of the hedgerow. Step out of our door into a road with a florist, a bakery, a photographers, a beauty parlour, the new " lovely things" shop and not forgetting the best pizza restaurant in the world just two doors away! Not too tough a stagger home then...hic!

Oh I do hope they like it...I'll let you know...

23 comments:

Norma Murray said...

Fingers crossed for you. It sounds absolutely wonderful to me. I'm sure they will be charmed.

Suffolkmum said...

I can't believe they won't love it, it sounds great, I know I would! They sound like a lovely family. Toon army - me too.

Anonymous said...

I shouldn't worry too much. It's sounds delightful.

Crystal xx

Westerwitch/Headmistress said...

With you as hostess . . . your home and such a wonderful fair - how can they not.

When I lived in Holmbury we used to have a similar fair in Abinger Hammer . . . brings back wonderful memories.

Blossomcottage said...

They will love it I know they will.
Blossom

patsy said...

Thanks all for re-assurance but you know how it is when something really touches you...a book, a film, a restaurant, some music... and you hope everyone else feels the same way?
Perhaps I'll say no more and let the place do the talking...!

Pondside said...

That sounds like a good idea - after reading the Flash Dance blog I couldn't help but think that anyone would love your village. I hope you have a wonderful time!

@themill said...

What's not to love? Wish it was me.x

snailbeachshepherdess said...

'course they'll love it....

Mutterings and Meanderings said...

RE your comment on WITN. Well said. It needed to be.

@themill said...

Can't believe what WITN wrote either M&M. How insulting she is to us all! I don't know how you can bear to come back and visit us all Patsy. Must be so arduous for you!

Exmoorjane said...

Patsy, they will LOVE it. I know for a fact that when we lived in the middle of nowhere, we craved shops and town life....heaven was the sound of the street instead of the endless baaing of sheep....the strobing of car headlights rather than the lamping searchlight strafing the hills... Sounds like you have all the requisites for a good time anyhow!
Medieval fete eh? Very swish. Our village fete was deeply sad - a wobbly voice announcing the '15-17 year old sack race'....to muffled giggles and no takers. Wonder why?!

Catherine said...

I find like-minded people tend to love the things you love, so fingers crossed. It sounds absolutely lovely, an antidote to my personal version of The Darling Buds of May. Perhaps I will have a town house next.

Must pop over to WITN and see what the controversy is all about.

rilly super said...

The french certainly go to town on the civic pride front patsy. Seems like you are throwing yourself into things there and I'm sure the presence of rough swarthy men on white chargers has nothing to do with your enthusiasm, sigh

Exmoorjane said...

Hey Patsy, I'm still politely waiting to find out what they thought....c'mon (nudge, nudge) we're overdue a new blog.
jxx

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Hadriana's Treasures said...

Hi Patsy, I was recommended to visit your site by @themill. How's it all going? Did they like your gaff? Please spill the beans. Thanks. Hadriana.

@themill said...

About time for an update, you're only a year late.............

CAMILLA said...

Hello Patsy,

It sounds absolutely gorgeous, cannot imagine them not liking it, would be lovely to know how all went Patsy.

Apologies for coming here late Patsy, just trying to catch up, and thank you so much for your recent comments on my posts.

xx

her at home said...

When I was a child it would be a test true of friendship to invite city friends come and stay in the country with us. Those who fell in loev with teh ancient walls and crumbling stoen work were embraced forever into our lives those didn't loveit as we did never came back.

Exmoorjane said...

Bloody hell, this blog has dust all over it - cobwebs in fact. Shape up, missy!

Rob-bear said...

Bear has climbed over dirt, dust, grass, lichens, and mushrooms in order to find you. Even surprised a Newt in the process. Sigh! No Dr. Patsy to be found. Anywhere.
If this gets to you, would you be so kind as to send an e-mail note to Rob-bear? Thnx.

Rob-bear said...

Well, I've done all that scrambling, again. Except no newt this time.
Is there a Dr. Patsy who's alive and well.We certainly hope so, but we're not sure.