In my head I imagined everyone arriving and stopping dead in their tracks when they saw our space and our view and our setting. It helped, of course, that the sun shone all week and that the moon was full, and that the beach was empty and the waves tiptoed gently in and then out again - almost as if the beautiful East Neuk had decided to dress up for this very special occasion. And goodness, the reaction we had imagined was absolutely a thing - everyone drawn to the incredible view, the verandah over the beach, the fire, the table set for dinner that night.
Over the next few days we were totally engrossed in making and doing and sharing food around our beautiful table. We ate outside one evening, under a full moon and a starry sky. We picnicked and pottered, learning new things, sharing new skills, playing, eating, making journal. Repeat.
When your guests arrive as strangers and leave as friends, nourished and nurtured and happy and inspired, both Ali and I sat together that last morning and knew that we had created something just a little bit magical and a little bit special. And that made us happy. Really really happy.
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| a little section of our props table |
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| Getting started |
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| Baskets were essential |
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| Welcome boxes |
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| We soaked a cedar plank in water for 2 days and then set it on fire and cooked sides of salmon on it over the BBQ coals |
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| Magical night of food and photos and chatter and blether |
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| I like everything to be beautiful so look what they did to my left overs. Yep. Beautiful |
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| Betty brought her recipe book and made us lavender shortbread and scones |
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| Bramble and yoghurt breakfast jars |
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| Beautiful spot to reflect |
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| A beautiful journal created to tell the story of family and friends round the table |
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| We made tags for doors |
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| My little figaro was so at home |
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| flatbreads and photography (with some excellent cooking from Debbie) |
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| Said flatbreads |
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| G in tree |
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| Delicious griddled nectarines |
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| and griddled fennel |
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| My trusty whisk and the beginnings of Persian kuku |
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| Jills journal started to look a lot like Christmas! |
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| Joanne serving up our kuku |
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| We always need cake |
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| When everyone left it was just Ali and I. |
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| We crafted with old maps |
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| Mairi making brownies |
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| And wrapping them up for a picnic |
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| Chitter chatter |
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| oil rigs at rest |
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| Every night we drifted outdoors |
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| We styled our tables every night. Place names by Ali |
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| Foraged bits |
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| 'Time for a picnic,' wrote Debbie. Not knowing that it was indeed. |
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| Our beautiful view through the window |
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| The sun creating dancing shadows |
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| Debbie shared some of her Israeli Lebanese heritage by making Shatsuka for breakfast |
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| fabulous |
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| As the night drew in |
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| ready to go home |
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| Quiet making time |
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| Beautiful journal coming together |
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| Wonderful dinners |
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| And picnicking outside |
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| favourite spot by the fire |
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| Learning new things |
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| and journals coming together \ |
