Logistically, it all worked out quite smoothly and everyone pitched in perfectly to help with the effort. Roman has been seen on this blog before,
but for Zuzana its a first on our turf. We first met at Dana and Brian's wedding in Vysehrad in autumn 1992. She remembers me but all I remember were the colours of the leaves and the army of grinning Irish relatives bigging up the side for Brian. And millions of kids.
Before long I was teaching at the same language school as them all (not the Irish relatives) and have been firm friends with Zuzana ever since.
On Friday morning we went with the boys to the market while Misha got Roman shifting furniture and sorting out the important stuff - beer, ice. At Stansted meanwhile, Barbara and John were picking up Bulov (Misha's big son) who was arriving with his girlfriend, Martina. After lunch they all went off to Duxford war museum for the afternoon, which is on their doorstep, and would make their way to us the following day.
Later that evening the Lowestoft posse set about trying to get a bit done in advance. Ha! Here's me about to turn Silly and Billy the lobsters - as Gregor had named them - pink!
Ooh, come on now, just a quick wash around the pincers.
There we are, hope it's not too salty for you.
Sshh, what's all the screaming about, it's not that hot!
A few hours sleep later, and according to schedule, Barbara, John, Bulov and Martina arrived and Misha officially felt 50!
First the boys were treated to some early Christmas presents. To begin with Alastair was a little apprehensive about his chainsaw(-cum hedgecutter-cum strimmer), but we soon realised that he just needed a little time to make its acquaintance properly.
And once Gregor had showed him its true potential with daddy's vines (check Misha nervously peering out the window) he couldn't put it down (and even had a Bosch imprint on his cheek the following morning!) Then the party started.
Actually, it was all very well behaved. And the timing was more respected than at our 70th, 10 years ago.
There were a few nervous moments with Silly and Billy (which for me seemed like hours since I was the one with no foresight as to how to serve the damn things, just cook 'em), so if someone has managed to document it then you'll see what I mean. But suffice to say Misha displayed a previously hidden talent for cracking them open - and didn't need the hammer and barely used the nutcrackers - but you have to agree the colour is divine!
And from there it progressed.
Without photos it's difficult to convey the rest;
We walked along the coast to the Jolly Sailors. Misha tidied up and moved events to the next room. He even put on a jacket and tie for the venison steeped in juniper and wine. Alastair came down, whirring and sawing, for second dinner, happy and yawning. When time was nigh, Barbara and John said goodbye, and hopped next door to their B&B, to their palatial, sea-view Mozart suite. We all breakfasted well next day. Barbara and John went on their way, via Snape, while Roman caught his train. In Norwich having dropped him off, we visited the cathedral then back for Borscht.
On the Monday we hit the beach before the off.
For a few pics with Bulov and the girls.
Martina's first encounter with the cold North Sea.
We'll get them eating fish yet. You'll see.
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