An enjoyable weekend

We left K/S at 8.29 on 1st October and arrived in Lymington just in time to catch the 11.30 ferry to Yarmouth. After a rest and a lovely meal in the Wheatsheaf pub in Yarmouth we signed on in the hotel reception and settled in to our chalet. Dinner was at 6.30 and we started our period of our weekend, with lovely food. Next day 2nd we did a little sight seeing to remind us of our other journeys to the Isle of Wight.
Next morning, 3rd of October was the anniversary of the wedding of Celia and Richard,
50 years to the day and we went over to Eddie and Theresa's house in Lake, via a much extended drive all along the south coast of the Island. We were happily welcomed by Eddie and Theresa and were pleased to see that cousins Josie and Graham were already there, staying in the house. Also present were Eddie's son Darren (a champion Fisherman who has been tipped to "fish for England" in the forthcoming International Competition) and Eddie's older sister (another Teresa) with her current boy friend Greg with whom she lives in Budleigh Salterton. A very nice young man who gets on very well with his adoptive family. Teresa's son Jason and daughter Tara were also there as were Richard's brother Charlie and wife Mary from Kidlington. A very happy group with everyone welcoming us and making us happy. Eddie then went round to his parent's house in Godshill to collect them, without letting them know what they had in store. We then all proceeded to St Patrick's R.C. Church in Sandown where a thanksgivIng Mass for the happy lives of Celia and Richard was celebrated, with proper exchange of rings and renewing vows etc. After Mass, we were all to travel to East Cowes to a special dinner which Eddie and Theresa had laid on in Albert Cottage. One of the wonderful things that Eddie had done was to arrange for a beautifully reconditioned 1950 Triumph Renown to drive them to East Cowes. Albert Cottage is more than a cottage and was the home of Princess Beatrice at the time of Victoria and Albert, forming part of the Osborne House Estate. The house is now used as a place for carrying out civil marriages and is beautifully decorated for use as a dinner room, also. We had a lovely meal and during the meal Eddie showed a photographic film of the main episodes in the lives of the family. It was a lovely happy affair and as we had to drive 20 miles back to Yarmouth we had to take care how much wine we drunk. This did not apply to the others as Eddie had arranged for a small coach to return the revellers back to his house in Lake. What a lovely family they all made and we all had such a welcome and enjoyed everyone's company, joining in with our photograph's on the DVD which was being shown.
Sunday came round and we drove the 17 miles from Yarmouth to arrive just as lunch was being ordered from a very pretty waitress. Popular choice was Cottage pie and most of us has just one helping. Hugh could not let Margaret's dinner go to waist, but he didn't mind increasing his own waist as the food was super!!
16 of us squashed into a ding room built for 8 was great.
Next morning was time for us to leave the Island and we duly caught the 0935 ferry in a thick fog and heavy drizzle, following h spray from the heavy traffic, until by the time we reached Winchester, the rain had stopped and we were able to get back to K/S on the stroke of 1pm.
Steve had spent part of his weekend erecting our new wardrobe which had been delivered on Thursday and we were so thrilled to see how beautifully it fitted in to our bedroom. Many thanks Steve for yet another way of helping us. Lots of love to you all from your loving Mum and Dad