It all went really well in the end - after lots of last minute panics, including my friend coming round to re-cover the seats of the chairs she had lent me cos she felt they were too grubby! Other friend turned up with loads of fairy cakes and loads of table decorations - lots of cans and jars covered in pretty paper with flowers in them! They looked fabulous! Then another friend turned up with 6 large pots of new guinea impatiens! I also got 2 patio roses, one pink and one cream, and a bunch of lilies, so there are flowers everywhere.
The tables all had pastel or white embroidered cloths on them, the best tea services were laid out, and it looked lovely.
Weather was fine, even warm some of the time, the birthday cake had a picture of me on it aged about 7, and No.2 son made some lovely scones and whipped up some cream to go with them. One friend had made bunting and put pictures of me on it at all different ages! Party started at 3 and the last guests left at 10, by which time we'd moved on from the tea onto the wine, and my SIL was totally out of it and had become best friends with my friend from the Isle of Wight who she'd never met before!
One friend I hadn't seen for a while came with her daughter and 2 week old grandaughter, who was totally gorgeous.
Alfie and the chickens got fed all sorts of non- appropriate food, and I've somehow offered to look after the little boy up the road's pet newts when he goes on holiday!
All in all I had a thoroughly nice time, and there's still loads of cake left!
