Dinner at Richard's

Saturday afternoon/evening, Richard had a dinner party for 13! We began the evening with a stroll around his one plus acre manicured and densely planted, very colorful property! We were amazed at how much his garden had grown in the year since we had been there. I suspect that when we are here next year, you won't be able to see any of neighboring homes.

Richard was christening his new built-in bar-b-que, and patio, and we were all able to take part in the festivities.

After our stroll around the grounds, we all had a glass of bubbly and some nibbles, and divided into three teams for a rousing game of Patonk, which is similar to lawn boules, but is played in a gravel field. There is a small ball, that is thrown onto the gravel, and then each team attempts to get as close as possible to the small ball, by throwing very heavy metal balls to get close to it. It wasn't as easy as it sounds! The first team to get to a score of 13 wins. Richard assisted by moving about the grounds and answering questions. Unfortunately, we aren't a competitive lot - our team decided that a bubbly break was in order when the score was 8 -7, and the other teams quickly followed suit. One of the teams neglected to keep score at all. But it was great fun, and a game you can play with a ball in one hand and a glass of champagne in the other.

And then we moved to the patio area, where Richard fired up his wood bar-b-que, and cooked chicken, sausage and burgers, which he served with a mountain of home-grown vegetable dishes. It was a veritable feast, followed by cheesecake and fresh fruit, and then tea/coffee with after-dinner mints! Needless to say, we all waddled out to the car at 11:30 pm, came home, and went directly to bed!

Truly the social event of the week!

Richard's garden.
More garden and garden views.

Richard and I surveying the placement of the balls, in relation to the small ball, which is the dark dot at the top of the gravel. I think this ended up being John and Jo's point!

Another team debating who is closest to the small ball.

Vimala, getting ready to launch her ball toward the target.

Roger and Richard, with a bit of "bubbly".

Bryan, me and Jo, deep in discussion.

Richard, Peter, Adrian, Roger, Luanne, Dianne and John, enjoying the pavilion that Richard had put up.

Jo.

Bryan, wearing the hat we brought him from SF. Everyone had a turn wearing the hat and we all got a kick out of it.

Thanks, Richard and Vim! It was a wonderful evening - good friends, good food, good times together.