Susie, a friend originating from the days when my son, George, was at school with her son Louis, had arranged a 90th Birthday party, to celebrate her 50th and her partner Lenny’s 40th birthdays. I had only had sporadic contact with Susie, both having been busy with our respective lives, so it was an ideal opportunity to catch up
The party was being held at Treyhill Farm campsite, near Instow. Luckily there were some temporary pointing signs erected to assure that google maps was directing me to the right place, down several small lanes. It was a little chaotic on arrival, directing cars and vans to appropriate spots, depending on who was staying overnight and who were getting lifts home etc. Susie had designated a spot for me and my van with a couple of others which was ideal.
Initially I took Harry into the main field but he was immediately trying to jump into the chicken run that was there. I had made a point of having giving him some exercise in the morning – first by taking him for a walk up Kit Hill, near Callington, and then on a walk through the fields from my friend Jacky’s house to Coombeshead for coffee and cake. Running free through farmland has to be the ideal conditions for a cocker spaniel! Because of his busy day Harry was happy to go into his crate in the van for the evening, and rest.
The guests at the party were a mixture of family and friends. It was a pleasure to meet Lenny’s family and his lovely mum, and I introduced myself to one of Susie’s sisters, Liz Chadderton, an artist, from whom I had bought a painting of a gorilla many years ago. I also caught up with Louis, a very pleasant and mature young man, now settled in Falmouth, working as a welder on the super yachts.
The highlight of the party in the afternoon was the band Kozna, a trio playing and singing a mixture of mainly Bosnian and gypsy songs. Anisa, the violinist, was amazing – apparently just returned from touring Australia. Her brother played guitar, and they celebrate their father’s Bosnian heritage.
As it got colder so the party moved into the ‘Barn’. I joined groups sitting on bales around the fire outside, and spent a very pleasant evening chatting with a friend of Susie’s from university days in Bristol, Claire. Having been born on the Scillies it was interesting to hear about her experiences on the islands. In particular Claire has been involved in the ecological impact of tourism which has grown so much there during her lifetime. We ended up talking about family and the impact of our respective backgrounds and the subsequent choices we have made in life. Claire has an obvious interest in psychology which I also find fascinating.
I decided to do some exploring of the area and visited Tapeley Park, which was just down the road. This estate is owned by Hector Christie, who inherited it from his aunt who is remembered for giving tours of the house with a parrot on her head. This rather eccentric woman ran the house and tea rooms on her own. The lady selling the admission tickets said her family had been working in the estate for years and stated Lady Rosamund would remain in her room above the tea shop and refuse to serve the visitors if there were only two.
Hector Christie gave up the opportunity to inherit Glyndebourne, as the eldest son, allowing it to pass to his younger brother instead, preferring to stay at Tapeley which he had visited as a young man. Hector has been involved in many political demonstrations, first against the policies of the MAFF at the time of Foot and Mouth, and later against GM food and other matters. At times the house and estate were inundated by hippy types, welcomed by Hector, although he was then taken advantage of. The Estate is managed by the Christie Devon Estates, and Hector’s son will take over as the custodian, which also covers large areas of the surrounding area including Instow beach, Saunton beach and Braunton Burrows. Unfortunately Hector is now suffering from Alzheimer’s, but looked after by all the family.
Whilst enjoying a cafetiere of coffee and a slice of cake I got talking to an elderly couple – ‘2 years short of 90’ the wife told me. They have had a fascinating life, having met originally on Tresco in the Scillies. Apparently he was working for the Estate on Tresco, whilst she arrived to set up a new booking system for the impending hotel. Subsequently they travelled the world, talking about backpacking through Europe, and living in Africa (Malawi) and the Caribbean (Trinidad) whilst he developed his career and studies of tea and cocoa. He reminded me of my dad, which was ironic on Father’s Day, my dad having died at the age of 86 last September. He described an occasion when his son, at the age of 12, had started kayaking, and he wanted to have a go – he got in the kayak, and promptly turned it over and couldn’t get out and had to be rescued, which his son found quite embarrassing! They haven’t finished travelling, currently looking to go to Scotland, and having recently returned to Venice and incorporated a train journey to Milan. They went back to the Scillies recently, in December, on their wedding anniversary – they let themselves into the gardens on Tresco as they knew where to go, and were discovered by the current gardener, who pointed out the gardens were closed! Of course, once they got chatting and he found out their history, there was no problem. They both seem to have mixed opinions on the Scillies now, and the growth of tourism, which was interesting given my conversations with Claire the night before.
I drove down to Instow and let Harry run free on the beach. Because it was low tide there was no ferry to Appledore, so I will have to return another day. After a lovely crab sandwich at the Glorious Oyster shack, I returned home, reflecting on the benefit of starting conversations with strangers which had been so interesting this weekend.