Woke at 8.30 after a cold night spent trying to cudde up to Dave for warmth, but he was miles away on the other side of the huge four-poster bed. Outside was sunshiny and warm – Dave disappeared and I dozed some more before heading downstairs for a cup of tea - luckily Anna had brought some normal builder’s teabags. After showering, helped get breakfast organised outside on the terrace – fruit and croissants that Peter had got from the local shop – plus some horrid ‘festival’ bread that could only be eaten if toasted in the bizarre toaster provided, which took several days to toast a couple of small slices.
Then a session of sitting by the pool chilling before lunch also on the by now very sunny and warm terrace: lovely Lara eggs (Marcella recipe), tomato salad, tuna and bean pasta and rolls etc.
An afternoon swim and more lying by the pool followed – the pool was lovely, big and very deep at the deep end and very well-equipped: big parasols, lots of loungers and chairs, changing rooms with shower and toilet and extra towels and also a fridge for G&Ts by the pool (not that we ever did that – shame.) Popped in at one point to watch the jubilee celebrations on the telly, trying not to gloat too much as the rain gradually turned a grey-looking day into a washout – had to admire the singers in the orchestra though who kept on smiling and singing as the rain soaked them to the skin.
Then dinner – we moved one of the tables from the pool terrace to the side of the house where we could sit in the full glow of the setting sun. Had an initial prosecco and some nibbles in what came to be known as the prosecco lounge – a little room with easy chairs and sofas and a balcony facing west so we could take great pics of the sunset while Anna entertained us with her accordion. Dinner was Peter’s tomatoey swordfish with aspagarus, aubergines and roasted potatoes. Then more cheese, chocolate and a game of Hearts in the prosecco lounge.
