pumpkinstrokemarrow

Instead of watching BBC reporters gush us about other people celebrating the jubilee, our road did its own bit of celebrating, on Monday.

This picture is such record as I have of my two trestle tables (see, for example July 6 and 11, 2011) doing their bit for the jubilee by supporting important materials for children. As it happens, their first outing for a bit.

I can also report that we did have bunting decorating our front garden, well up to the standard of the road in general. BH got well ahead on this particular game by buying some bunting, very cheap, from a novelty shop shortly after the visit to the 'Spotted Dog' in Dorking (http://www.thespotteddogpub.co.uk/) reported on March 7. Not lovingly hand crafted from second hand fabrics, but serviceable nonetheless.

FIL was pleased to be able to sport his Golden Jubilee Medal, awarded him last time around, in 2002.

There were various races. While we did not go as far as three legged or sack races I did see my first slow bicycle and egg & spoon races for many years. I made my excuses for not participating in a more active way.

For our barbecue we had both gluten free and pink sausage. This last coming from our Polish grocer (from the former German town formerly known as Breslau. I wonder how much - if anything - about the former German bit she was taught in school) in Ewell Village, a flabby orange skinned job some 3cm in diameter and maybe 43cm in length. Sliced lengthwise and lightly grilled on the communal barbie it nicely blended the savours & flavours of luncheon meat, saveloy and garlic sausage. Served with a jolly little Pouilly-Fumé from Waitrose.

The organisers were also well ahead on their game and organised the regalia collared mayor to open proceedings, which given the 40 odd street parties on her patch was no mean achievement. One wonders how many of them she got to. The programme also rates a mention in dispatches; a nicely produced thing which managed to look both smart and homely, that is to say not the product of some corporate marketing engine.

PS: we marked the occasion in a more private way by adding 1oz of jubilee strawberry cheesecake - another rather pink confection - to yesterday's chicken broth. Sadly, I am not sure that one would have known afterwards if one had not known before.