11th August 2013 - Ruby Wedding Anniversary

So we are in the middle of a field somewhere in the Black Mountains (of Monmouthshire not Dakota !!) surrounded by dogs and children and friends from all over the country and various backgrounds - LARP, Re-enactment, Family, friends, and the weather is being kind.

Bertha stands proud and is acting as a mess tent and sitting area, the Crimson Moon is with us and providing drinks and atmosphere, and Susie and I are playing Kubb and drinking and eating too much.

All in all, there is very little wrong with this picture. The first 40 years completed. The second 40 years to come....

Llanthony Priory is just above the valley and within walking distance. I had to look after the camp - obviously, otherwise I would have walked up there..   But the valley is quiet and there is no signal for mobile phones so no disturbances...

Inside Bertha, without the van inside she converts into a fair sized tent, which we used for cooking and eating for everyone...

Yup - doggie heaven with dogs of all size, and poor old Delft trying to keep up !!

The rules were no gifts no cards and no presents, but we didn't specify no cakes - so here Jackie and Fox gave us an "a quarter to eleven " cake - which was naturally a Green one - and tasted very nice too...

Meanwhile Darren had decided to bring a wtare melon and cut it out to make a Meloncholly Melon Collie.. Poor old Rusty...

The pig was a little more than was needed - but after hacking away it fed us for two days ...

And another ignorer of the "no gift" rule was John - who managed to make this model of the Crimson Moon for us - with full lighting ...  a lovely gift and what an effort.....

So three days camping and a real rest - exhausted afterwards of course  ......