"the table laid"

This table is laid as part of the Christmas decorations at Ightham Mote.

My title is from my recently published WW2 mémoirs of my dad, Bert Martin. He and fellow PoWs were moved in December 1942 to a camp at Carpi in Italy.

There he and his mate, Jack Bruce, from Ipswich, were reunited with two chaps from his troop, Arthur Offord and Arthur Tricker, who invited the new arrivals to their quarters.

My dad writes that there we 'found "the table laid" so to speak. They gave us an onion, cheese, butter and some tea.'

This must all have been more than welcome in those hungry PoW days.

[Issi Bannerman]

I cannot even bear to think about what it must have been like as a PoW. What a lovely shot of this table, so beautifully laid.

[Dione Giorgio]

Pretty-laid table and I like your shot. Are you invited for the celebrations?

[Lynda McG]

Lovely! We are so spoilt nowadays but don't always appreciate it

[gloria jones]

Lovely light on this gorgeous table setting

[David]

Is there something to celebrate? :-)

[Mickey Anderson]

Beautiful setting!!

[Casablanca]

So looking forward to reading that! Not long now.......

What a beautiful photograph of this lovely dining table.

[Hazel]

@yrhenwr

Perhaps you have the same view of Christmas as me - but maybe not!

[Bep]

A lovely shot, Hazel.
Btw Were there many reactions on your father's memoirs when they were published.?

[Beryl Lloyd]

Ooh !! for the elegance of the days gone by !

[Merrelyn]

It's beautifully laid :)

[haskar]

Wonderful laid and shot.

[Margaret Brown]

A lovely festive capture

[Catherine]

Beautiful shot Hazel. Is that a railway track running across the table?

[Pat Knowles]

Very festive Hazel, you can't beat the traditional colours at Christmas time!

[Peter H]

Very sobering to think about those times.

[CC Folk]

Wow...interesting information. Cute train track on the table...

[Pyrrhula]

Great shot of thid nice table setting. Now the food has to compare with the train. Who`s won?

[KWind]

What an amazing table setting! Looks beautiful!

[Richard Hickey]

Awesome picture.

[wendy frost]

A great capture and table setting I wonder if tne train delivers the food. Lol

[Hazel]

@gijsje

I've had some great verbal feedback and there are also some heartfelt reviews on its Amazon page https://www.amazon.co.uk/Till-We-Meet-Again-Gunner/dp/154404870X

[Hazel]

I guess this explains it - from the Ightam Mote website: 'The Great Hall fire is lit, the table is laid, and the presents are under the tree ready to welcome her husband, General William Jackson Palmer back from his railroad work in America and Mexico.'

@wendyfrost @pyrrhula @gardenfolk @megpicatilly

[Bep]

@quietpurplehaze
Thanks for answering :-)

[Michelle]

I recognise that lovely table! awesome capture 🙂