Sexy Sporty Dad and I were invited to a pre-pub opening this weekend. It was an honour to be invited; there was never any question, of us not going but it led to some difficult dilemmas. The first of which is obvious: dress code. We don’t go out very often and usually if we do, we go with friends or family, the dress code is very precise. But what do you wear to a special invite to a pub opening. Mallyshag Ltd the newish owners and friends of ours were showing off the pub following a long extensive refurbishment where advisors, close friends and supporters were invited;
I trawled through my inappropriate wardrobe and found nothing even remotely suitable. I wandered around a few shops and found even less suitable attire. What is suitable? Time was galloping away while I luxuriated in the shower rather than make a decision. I began mix and match my eye makeup and realised it was imperative I come to a conclusion. I chose a dress with streaks of differing colours and voluptuous folds so I could get away with spilling my drink or dropping a canapé down it unnoticed. It was comfortable and allowed for plenty of indulgence of the aforementioned canapés. It also turned out to be suitable; there was a wide range of outfits and I was not out of place.
It has taken a long time to have the courage and trust to leave all three boys at home unsupervised. At nearly 16, No 1 Son goes off to babysit for friend’s children, he is certainly old enough and probably sensible enough to be left at home. Middle Son is quite self sufficient; he prefers to stay home at the weekend; goes to the shops to fill my fridge with pizzas, cheese and ham croissants and high energy drinks; not that he needs any. He will cook all this as and when he feels peckish and can entertain himself playing God of War on the PSII for hours as long as no-one disturbs him. He will be totally domesticated when he leaves home although his financial thriftiness may well delay that adventure for many years to come. The most sensible of the three; Mini Son is deemed by his age to be too young to leave at home alone.
I have relented and now leave all three for an evening but with very strict instructions, which I am sure they all agree to until the car has driven round the bend and then completely ignore me. They don’t realise they are left with a huge amount of trust; they do understand the threat of a babysitter, if they misbehave, looming over their heads. Mini Son also has a get out clause and there is always a neighbour aware they are on their own if he feels assistance is needed.
This has worked well so far and I have toned down my calls back home now, not even reminding them that bed time has passed. They are more than capable of being on their own and probably far more reliable than I am prepared to give them credit for, but however old and independent they become I am their mother and it is my right to worry about them.
There was however the added complication of the carnival being in town; bad enough as that may seem but the fun fair cleverly attaches itself to the carnival and relieves the townsfolk of all their hard earned cash. The older boys had their social lives cemented firmly in the spiral that surrounded the carnival and were not prepared to stay in and babysit. Fleetingly I did consider allowing Mini Son to tag along behind one of his brothers but it was very brief. Horror images flooded my mind; him being left on some unknown float full of aliens and monsters, Harry Potter throwing an unforgivable curse in his direction, or his brother dragging him on to the screamer, I don’t even know what the screamer does but the name conjures up too many horrors.
My friend Natty mercifully not only offered to have Mini Son, she offered him a bed for the night, allowing us the freedom to return when we were ready guilt free about a babysitter who had a time restriction. Mini Son went over with a bag of drinks and snacks for a midnight feast which they started about 8pm and concluded the following morning for early breakfast. He took his DS for the challenge that would happen, barely managing a goodnight as I left him already battling Pokemon with Natty’s son.
Sexy Sporty Dad and I did go to the ball or rather the pub opening and we were very impressed. We arrived and there was no where to park, the car park full to bursting with newly plated number plates. Sexy Sporty Dad left me at the door while he hid my little battered car somewhere he could find space, out of sight. Noise and laughter tumbled out of windows and door as I stood counting the seconds until he returned and we could walk in together. Naturally like any good party, you dread going in, not sure if you will know anyone. We were greeted instantly by our friends who insisted on champagne and a personalised tour. We knew many of the others through our various walks of life.
Exquisite interior design has taken the old listed building, completely refurbished it in a fusion of
The Fontmell, Fontmell Magna, Dorset – 01747 811441
period and contemporary furnishings, blended with the natural stream running between the dining room and the bar. We threw coins to wish them good luck and also to ensure we return. The bite sized canapés that came round were taken directly from the more formal menu combining exotic, expensive and everyday ingredients in mouth watering morsels. There will also be a bar menu for those who just want pub grub. Plied with champagne we were led upstairs to admire the bedrooms with their modern en-suites and imaginative use of historic feature blended with extra touches to make the stay memorable.
Unfortunately the pub is too close for us to justify staying overnight unless some willing or maybe not so willing family member wanted to entertain three adorable, well behaved and incredibly endearing boys overnight. Next time we have an overflow of guests we will definitely be suggesting they stay at the Fontmell, just maybe I can contrive to have dinner there first.
We will be going back now that the pub has finally opened, probably again and again, already I am looking through my diary for an excuse to be taken there.
My Writing
I have an update on my article for the local paper. The RFU have published October’s issue of their magazine Touchline; also available online. I couldn’t find it at first until they published another October issue and I realised I was looking through October 2010. Under Clubs on page 8 is my unadulterated report with the full picture of No 1 Son leading a charge on some unsuspecting opponent.
Another piece added to my growing portfolio, now maybe I need to start making some money from all these publications before Sexy Sporty Dad sends me out to work full time, particularly if I wish to stay at the Fontmell or even visit regularly.
Tiggy