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Message from Mabel
Thank you one and all for your lovely, thoughtful cards and messages on this, my 91st birthday. I am truly overwhelmed! I had no idea what was planned to celebrate; a mystery which could not have been better!
The day began with the breakfast table adorned with cards and lily of the valley from Pauline's garden. Mum was thrilled - lily of the valley is known as May's birthday flower. She was encouraged to be organised to leave at 10:30am. A short drive to Churston Station, and still no clues were given except that it was a mystery. We boarded a green bus with a wonderfully humerous driver and headed along the 'country lanes' to Greenway, summer home of Agatha Christie. Despite driver Chris' commentary, Mum still hadn't worked out where we were headed. Once off the bus and while standing at the gatehouse to Greenway, she became quite thoughtful, digging into the recesses of memory - Greenway; is that something to do with Agatha Christie? How we all laughed!
A buggy arrived to drive her to the house (quite a walk, which Pauline and I enjoyed immensely). The gardens were full of rhododendrons, bluebells,
primroses, camellias and many other plants. A warm welcome greeted us then coffee in the stables-cum-café before touring the house. The rooms downstairs were closely inspected; so much to see with Agatha's eclectic collections from around the world.
A table for lunch had been set for us upstairs in the cafe; warming soup and crusty granary bread. We went downstairs to have a pot of English tea and birthday cake. The other visitors joined in the singing which really delighted Mum.
After we were well satiated, we finished our tour of the house. The view across the Dart River was quite breathtaking. We could see a lot of the gardens from various rooms of the house. It was, unfortunately, too cold to spend much time exploring the garden. At reception, the 2 ladies had heard there was a lady from Australia celebrating her 91st birthday. So struck with this they presented Mum with a rare honour - a National Trust Oak Leaf which is given only to life members!!
A buggy ride back to the gatehouse to wait for the bus; a cosy drive to Churston, with Mum being completely overwhelmed with the accolades and experience.
Again, Mum says...THANK YOU one and all for making my day so completely special and memorable!
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Judi
non-member comment
Birthday Surprise
So happy you managed to surprise her cuz, not much gets past these Taylor girls. Looks like you all had a wonderful day to celebrate her birthday. Mum was absolutely thrilled with the phone call, hasn't stopped smiling hearing from her sister. Wonderful Memories. Love Always Judi & Aunty Lesley.