Progress continues:

Various guests are promising me a syllabub, a chilli con carne to a recipe learned in Mexico, and 40 jacket-sized potatoes. Another who does a little light poaching (very "Rufford Park") is talking about quantities of rabbit and pigeon.

It looks as if garden furniture promised will amount to about 40 chairs plus various tables and parasols.

There will be two gazebos. And 3 barbecues, and a hibachi reserved for El Halal/kosher with separate utensils. I am told that the slaughter requirements for both are the same, and that those who need El-Halal can eat kosher. Does anyone know if the reverse applies as well? I have a nagging feeling about a religious procedure for meat to be kosher. El-Halal (I am told) requires the name of the deity to have been uttered, and accepts that most of the principal deities are for this purpose equivalent. Does anyone know about the mirror equivalent (or not as the case may be).

The summerhouse is almost tidy.

The front garden is presentable.

I have a sign ready to put on the telegraph pole.

I have dug out another barrowload of weeds.

There are some tins of lager and (from Val and Pete) 3 litres of Soave in the garage fridge, and Val and Pete will also be bringing some red wine from their recent booze cruise(s). Beer will arrive Thursday. I've personally washed about 50 plaztic beer mugs for those who arrive without tankards.

If you are all very good (or bad) Val and Pete are also (maybe) going to make a punch, having recently been to Spain and come back with a considerable quantity of brandy - it was at a price there at which it would have been rude not to!! Be warned it is likely to be suitable only for those not driving!!!

We've found the plastic plates and cutlery.

Spare beds and futons are aired and have clean sheets. 7 sleeping bags and 4 lilos and a camp bed located.

There were earlier enquiries about parking for caravans - I can park two in my drive but they will probably have to be manhandled in.

I have almost decided to have a PA rig ready for use in case of need probaby only a little one, about 500 watts, but if local noise is not too bad it's much nicer just to sit around and play acoustic so let's all hope - but I remember at the Fenn Bell, My Guru Said had to sing a song harder than she would have preferred to get over noise, and in cases like that the PA might enable audibility without having to spoil the dynamic of the song.

Incidentally Guru, do we still expect you?


Err...

What's the forecast like????