Friday 28th February 2014

The Gay Mother’s 90th Birthday has been going on all week. She said that Mrs Trematon had said she’d never enjoyed a birthday more than her 90th. ‘I rather see what she meant,’ the GM declared. So far she’s entertained 54 people at a tea and a lunch. In her rural fastness, you might think of ‘Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard’. But among the guests were a brigadier, the ex-wife of a High Court Judge and a QC. Although, with age, position, always marvellous, fades. To be at a tea, or opening cards or admiring a pot plant quite equal a starring rôle at the Old Bailey. The Gay Mother spent the actual day, which was a rest between parties, arranging her floral tributes, opening millions of cards and pricking out seedlings.

The ex of the High Court Judge was furious that presents were banned. ‘I spent ages choosing mine.’ She left it in a bag hanging on the front door handle – as a kind of protest. Thank God though for her present, an really excellent jug and sugar bowl showing sheep on the cliffs near Lyme Regis. Pottery, craft, usually horror but these absolutely excellent.

After the lunch for 14 we drove over our lands in the Agent’s ocean-going vehicle and discussed the failure of certain individuals to shut let alone lock gates behind them.

Tomorrow is the Shoreditch House party; then the great birthday will be over. When the Gay Mother was born Thomas Hardy was alive. The Gay Granny’s Granny lived in the time of Napoleon.

Shoreditch is my first big-budget catered function. I shall be glad when it has safely docked. What if Shoreditch burns down over night? Or they phone up and say, ‘We’ve changed our minds. We can’t have a 90th Birthday here. Besides you’re not worthy.’

I’m to wear red velvet and pale grey.

A Pudding Option at the Gay Mother’s 90th Birthday Luncheon

We Toured Our Lands after Luncheon

100 Years Since the 1st World War: Our Lands as Seen Today

Our Lands: These Once were Shower Blocks