SAMLESBURY 90

NONAGENARIAN 

CELEBRANT :- James (90)

ACOLYTES :- John(78) Anthony(78) Jim(72) Mike(79) Danny(76)

(Living proof that age does not necessarily bring wisdom)

No proper walk today but rather a gathering to celebrate James Drew's 90th Birthday.

Samlesbury Hall is a place James has "Connections" with so it seemed an appropriate venue for a celebratory get together.

Danny suggested that as we had turned right on entering the hall a few weeks ago we should turn left this time to see what we had missed. However, as our started times are now a little later, we are often ready for a brew when we arrive at our destination. So off we went to the cafe.

A photo of the snowcapped Alps

(with rocky outcrop in the middle)

As we left the cafe this rather startled looking lady told us not to miss the recently renovated attic rooms. we thanked her and assured her that we wouldn't.

So we made our way back to the left hand side of the hall. Stopping briefly... 

.....for Anthony to have a tinkle on the Grand Piano.

...To look once again at the fireside priest's hidey hole.

..... and to give our regards to the magnificent rocking horse.

Here James explaind that two of his children, on their mother's side were directly related to the original owners of the Hall. ("Deuyas" - Before the Southworths occupied it).

As we passed one room we came across this collection of bottles of various ages. All firmly glued to the table.

James also told us of his time spent at the Hall as a Toxophilite.

We couldn't actually spot him in the following photo although he assured us he was there.

 I think these ladies should release their arrows and then quickly get out of the way before the people at the other end start to release their arrows at the targets we can see.😧😨.

As we looked for the "Attic" rooms we passed this poster. It seems to predict a "Spooky" experience.

The attic rooms were indeed very dark and spooky as you can see.

YES. Definitely some spooky characters appearing as we look around.

"Did you hear a noise just then ?"

The beautiful lady in the painting is reputed to haunt these rooms after being murdered by her husband. Perhaps she was wearing a dress similar to this one.

Out of the Hall and a short walk through the Car Parks to the "Restaurant".

Where we await our order of Mushroom and Tarragon soup .......

....or roast Ham sandwiches.

They soon arrived along with a bottle of Pinot Grigio. Paid for by James... THANK YOU !

Then..... sponsored by Hohner and Dolmetsch.  A Duet from Jim and John accompanied the singing of "Happy Birthday".

A very pleasant gathering of our regular "Meanderthals".

James certainly seems to have enjoyed his Birthday treat

Look at the coat.....(s) on James' seat. You will meet them later.

ALTHOUGH THERE WERE SIX 👍

Soon after we walked back to the cars and drove home.

"Oh Happy Day "

THE END

Not Quite.............We are not unaided in our weekly forays.

We are aided by our glasses when reading Maps, directions or information displays

WE need our hearing aids to communicate with one another

We need our sticks to aid us in the fight to remain upright.

And (thank God for the NHS) we need our medication to aid us in actually keeping alive.

Oh Yes !  

 I mentioned the coats. James and Anthony both hung their coats on the back of the same chair. On leaving they each put the others coat on. They soon realised but only after wondering why there were "Foreign" objects in the pockets.

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK -  WITH A BIT OF LUCK 😏😕👍