The JOY of Friends!

One of my husband's friends from school is Henry (and I like to think that he is my friend too!)  and you might see his comments here on my blog sometimes.   Henry and Sarah are vegetarians and they invited us to the most delicious lunch ever. Each and every single food item here had such a wonderful taste!  Tomatoes, mushrooms, cucumbers, lettuce, radishes and those boiled potatoes!  Richard couldn't have the bread and butter, but you know that I did.  Wonderful meal and so nice to enjoy this with them and also with Dave who was not only able to come for this meal, but he also brought Richard some gluten free sausages.  Brave man to bring meat to the home of vegetarians! Thanks, Dave, we were able to take them with us and they were delicious. (You know I had mine with some HP sauce!)

Another longstanding friend from school, Dave, let us know that the coach of the England Football team is from Croydon and went to John Ruskin School.  All three of these guys also are from Croydon and went to John Ruskin!
That is Henry on the left, Dave in the middle and of course, Richard on the right! This photo was taken at the pub at Beachy Head and the very next day we went to Henry's home and had that great lunch that I talked about above. 

 The above photos are of Sarah and Henry and their lovely home.  Not only does the house look like it has a face, but the door does too!   They have a beautiful garden, but it was raining very hard the day that we were there.  It was a pity since we would have loved to have been outside in it.  The sun came out just as we were leaving...typical!  (I was very impressed by the topiary...thought I was in Disneyworld!) Thanks, Henry and Sarah! And Poppy and Bear!

Now, what a great day so far...but it's not over yet.  Sarah and Henry then drive us to Henry's parents for tea.   Joy and Henry had a beautiful table prepared for us with the most beautiful china.  They celebrated their Diamond Anniversary two years ago and did you know that the Queen sends a letter to those celebrating their Diamond, and she PERSONALLY signs the card herself!   Sends it by a special messenger all dressed up in a uniform?  I love the Queen for doing this!  She also does this for those celebrating their 100th birthday! http://www.royal.gov.uk/HMTheQueen/Queenandanniversarymessages/Anniversarymessages.aspx
There is the link if anyone reading this in England is interested.  You must download a form and send it in at least 21 days prior to the date.  I wonder how many people think that she automatically does this? Apparently in 2000, she sent a 100th birthday greeting to her mother, The Queen Mother...I wonder if someone had to send in the on-line form for her?  (Ha, ha, Queen, just kidding, you know I love you, besides, I am American, I can get away with this.) 

   And I took a photo of Joy and Henry's wedding photo, but there was such a reflection from the glass, but you can see that it is them, can't you?  (The church is St. Mary Magdalene in Addiscombe, which is part of Croydon, and it is the church where Richard's parents were married and where Richard was christened.)  What a delightful time we enjoyed with them, they were just sorry we didn't have our son with us.  Laughing and talking and enjoying the company...Thanks, Joy and Henry for the wonderful tea that we enjoyed with you. Those strawberries were to die for!

Joy and Henry have a lovely home with a beautiful garden.  You know that I had to have my photo made in front of this green door.  (That color! Wow!) Can you tell from our smiles what a great time we were having?  JOY!  What a wonderful word and how nice to know someone with that name.  Thanks Joy and Henry, you are diamonds to us!