Well, it was raining again.   Given the late night before (early morning for some of us...uhhhh), that was of little consequence in any event.  By mid-day, everything was looking brighter.  Victoria and Hugh arrived, rounding it all off.  We decided to take a walk in the rain through the gardens.  Umbrellas at the ready, we suited-up.  Wellies went fast, but I found a nice pair sitting all alone in a corner.  I put these on.  They were a bit snug, but then ‘beggars can’t be choosey’ as they say.   Apparently Victoria had brought her own wellies, but for the life of her she could not find them.  Some inconsiderate sod had taken them!  I could not believe it!  How insensitive and rude.  Anyway, ‘can’t stay, must press on’. 

We had an absolute ball wandering around the gardens and playing with the kids.   About 20 of us wandered the grounds in search of nothing in particular.   We were just happy to walk and play in the rain.   We found our fun in the most unusual of places.  While walking, we hit upon a patch of grass that felt like stepping on a firm waterbed.  Everyone got into the act, walking over it and jumping on it to push up the side that someone else was standing on.   We finally overwhelmed it and water did eventually find its way out of it.  Still, it was fascinating. 

All day, we recuperated and just played like a large family.  There was an awesome game room with a Wii and a Snooker table.  Most of the men spent their time playing while Belinda and the kids drove virtual race cars around the room.   Soon, Dinner time arrived, and it was time to open an Imperial of 1995 Ornellaia.  Yes, I know what you are thinking - an IMPERIAL of ORNELLAIA?  Yes, we had to do it.  We had to drink some more.  Really.  It was necessary. 

We had a delicious meal and had a lovely round of toasts to, well uh, us in this case, but also to our guests who honoured us with such fun and frivolity.  Also, it was Glynis’ birthday, so Michael had a cake prepared and we toasted to her good health with fine champaign.   I know what you are thinking, but yes, we had to drink the champaign.  It was for Glynis...  Clearly, it was a worthy cause.  This dinner, probably more than all the others, was marked by so much laughter and playful banter.  What is great fun is that by recording the event with so many pictures, we can prove to people who can’t remember, that they were in fact there and that they in fact did have a great time. 

We waddled into the drawing room afterwards and listened to a scaled-down version of our Céilidh team.  We talked and, yes, drank and relaxed.   Then, at the appointed hour, we got everyone into their wellies again (this time, I could not find that convenient pair to cradle my poor feet, hey ho) and into their rain gear.  Everyone stepped out onto the garden steps and waited.  And then the night sky erupted in flashes of colour.   Like little children (yes, like the ones that were there - yeah, exactly, ... just drop it!) we watched as the spectacle played out thousands of times before unfolded to our unmitigated delight.   We had planned a bonfire, and they set-it-up for us on a raft on the loch.  But, with all the rain, it floated away, never to be seen again.  So, we had to make due with our fireworks.  I think we did okay!  It was a great weekend.