Party animal

On Saturday we trotted up the road to the opening party of The Pig. All the village had been invited. And guess what, all you Downton Abbey fans, so had the Earl of Grantham - and my, but he scrubs up well. 'Dapper' is the word for Hugh Bonneville! (No, I didn't intrude and take a photograph.)

The new hotel owners have a philosophy of growing much of their own food or sourcing it from within a twenty-five mile boundary. The evening got off to a good start with Nyetimber and rhubarb fizz. 

Garden trays of 'Piggy Bits' did the rounds.

'Dress to party' was interpreted in many different ways. (I took Paula's advice and wore the black mohair top over my strapless dress.)

There were four hundred guests.

I couldn't decide whether or not to use the flash on my camera. Without it is murky but more accurate and atmospheric

and with the flash you can see what is going on but it looks flat and uninteresting. Which do you favour when you are in this sort of reduced lighting? (The music was great.)

Had to put my specs on, couldn't believe what I was seeing - living topiary!

But sometime after midnight it was good just to loll on a sofa with my lovely neighbour.

Then it was time to walk back down the road in the moonlight and tumble into bed.
Take a look at the enviable hotel veg garden over on share my garden.