Yamas!

Last Friday was "Greek Night" in the restaurant.  The staff dressed the restaurant up with blue and white Greek flags and balloons and there was a full selection of traditional Greek fayre supplied in plenty from the kitchens.  To complete the evening we also had Clarion playing Greek Musics and there was dancing too.

It was a lovely evening, making everyone think of holidays!  Glasses were raised with the traditional salutation "Yamas" (Cheers) heard on occasion.  There was no plate throwing though - maybe next time!

Music and dancing 

An unexpectedly gorgeous day was an added bonus for Jon and Lin last Sunday who celebrated their Ruby Anniversary with us.  It was a really romantic day for this couple who also renewed their wedding vows in the church where they got married in central Birmingham before coming to us for their 'reception'.  The weather was so good that that they were able to enjoy Pimms in the garden before eating in the private room next to the restaurant.  When the meal was over it was still warm enough for coffee in the garden and the children to run around.  Everyone looked so smart, particularly the happy couple.  They did not wear their original outfits but both have stayed slim so enough to 40 years on - not bad we think!

Happily married - John and Lin 

We love to see our regular customers celebrate here - it is a very special trust that they put in us and we are determined to give them a great time.

In the gardens it is a bit fraught - the fox has been visiting us and many of my friends have disappeared lately - we are on guard but it is difficult to stay awake all night.  The new ducklings are still happy to go inside their pens at night but the older ducks are not keen on this - however they are not keen on being eaten either!
The cows are back in the fields now too so there are lots of noises in the night to distract us!

Classic cars

Since our last diary entry we have had some smashing weather in the gardens and lots of visitors - especially on bank holiday Monday.  Some of the visitors that day were dogs - we are never that keen as they seem to have a particular interest in what we are doing, but they were all pretty well behaved so we did not need to worry too much.  The dogs were on best behaviour and many of them were well groomed ready for their "pet portraits"   - this was a charity shoot by Foreverly photography.  They donated £5 to the guide dogs for the blind for each shoot.

The sunshine was a lovely treat for all of us in the gardens but it soon gave way to windier and wetter days.  Happily though it has not put people coming out to see us, this morning for instance we were visited by Hanbury Bell Ringers, a large group of cyclists and some classic car enthusiasts.  Just look at these....

The ducklings in the pen are growing up fast now and are getting to the precocious stage and are escaping under the water at will - at the moment the wide world is still a bit scary for them but it won't be long before they are out and about around the gardens!