Easter Sunday

Woke to a sunny and warm day, Easter Sunday, beach weather for most of the family. Michael took the paddle board to the beach yesterday and now the bug has bitten the Middle Smiths. The water is still very cold but the lure of the board has a greater pull, the added incentive, to stay on the board and out of the water, just adds to the challenge. I do believe many a story will be told.

Claudia, being from Italian and Catholic decent, has organised a great Easter feast for early afternoon. Roast lamb, cauliflower and broccoli cooked in a creamy cheese sauce, roast potatoes. Yep, you guessed it, a true Italian/Catholic celebration, that is set to rival Christmas. 

Everyone is at the beach, enjoying the warm weather while they can. Hot weather without a breeze is rare and they are taking full advantage of the sunshine. I have put the lamb in the oven and now find myself enjoying a double espresso at Caffè Nero, calm before the storm. Poole is quiet, being Easter Sunday, most places are closed. Anyway I have half an hour before I must get back to finish off the cooking as bathe first to arrive will be there by 3pm.

Quite an occasion, present, will be, Claudia, Gary, Mika, Dan, Alex (the Middle Smiths), Michael and Kate, Robert and the two of us. We are expecting a Visit from Viv and Michael but not confirmed. 12, what a gathering of the clans. Pity the Dickens Clan decided to go camping, they would have enjoy this celebration of food and Easter cheer, no problem, they will be here for New Year and then we will do it all over again.

Easter Celebration was pandemonium, Easter egg hunt with Alex and the rest of the family spurring him on, so many eggs, so little time. In his excitement he was walking passed many eggs, not really seeing the wood for the trees. The Italian flair comes in and it is not just small Easter eggs but great big Cadbury eggs the size of a rugby ball that were placed in full view around the garden. A different take on the traditional Easter egg hunt, we normally just hide the small eggs and then give the bigger eggs out as presents. In all fairness, it was great fun and between Alex and Dan, all the eggs were found and stacked high. 

Needless to say copious amounts of ale was consumed and I did see a few G&T’s being happily put away. The table groaned under the weight of all the food, two roast legs of lamb and all the accompaniments were eaten in a festive mood, much must be said for the roast potatoes from the lady herself.

That was not the end to this extravaganza, Chocolate Easter cakes and Milk Tart, a traditional Italian desert made with milk, ending off this lovely, family gathering. Well done, Claudia for the inspiration and drive, we must do the same next year. In parting I must add, poo was not mentioned once, well that is if you ignore the fact that Alex thinks the Easter bunnies poo the Easter eggs, I did explain that the correct term is lay the eggs, but then, is that not what the hens do?