Scribblings from the Mitchy Side

All I can say is, kudos to my cousins, Beverley, Heather and Ian, for the organising because it was wonderful! It was held in the Old Palace Lodge in Dunstable, which is a lovely old hotel and restaurant and a very amiable place to have a gathering.

I was actually on time picking up Aunty Beryl and Ernie, which is probably a record of some sort and we had a very painless journey over to Dunstable, arriving well before scheduled time at 12.30. So we had a drink at the bar while we waited and gradually people started arriving. I even recognised some of them! *grins* I did have to have the idiot's guide to Which Children Belonged to Which Cousin but I got that sorted out (see pics below). Everyone seemed pleased to see me and it was good to catch up with some folks I hadn't seen for years.

Dinner was served at 2pm and was very nice indeed. Certainly the starter and dessert were wonderful - the apple pie was so good I had to apologise for the sucking vortex I created around my plate wolfing it down :) If I had any complaints at all, it would be that the vegetables were a smidge undercooked, particularly the roast spuds. But other than that, it was all well served and presented.

Ian made a wonderful speech that reduced Lorna (and not a few others) to tears, being both funny and touching at the same time. Harold also made a speech and insisted on toasting Lorna, whom he called the lynchpin of the family. Aww :) I may have sniffled a little. Maybe.

Then there was yakking and chatting and catching up, it was fun! Of particular interest was the Keech Family Tree that my Aunty Hazel has been working on for 8 years. She presented it to Lorna and Harold in a beautiful album and it's a fascinating read. Apparently it's all available online now - I'm wondering if I can negotiate to get another hard copy produced. She's done a superb job, tracing the family line as far back as the 17th century and Thomas Keech, master tailor :) And hey, therealsherbs, guess what? Apparently my grandfather lived at No.8, Arthur Street, Miskin, Mountain Ash when he was a young man! Worked as a miner. I'll have to do some research next time I visit :)

By about 5, Beryl and Ernie made it clear they were ready to go when I was, so after I'd nabbed the photos I wanted, we trundled back to WGC, arriving back shortly before 6. So all in all, it was a Very Good Day.

( And now for the pic spam! )