Cow pie

Posh dinner at rock cottage turned out to be a splendid event. Dad made the biggest pie I've ever seen. It was stunning. I'm not sure this picture gives a proper scale. It should have had horns coming out of the top. We only managed to eat half of it too - the suet pastry was flavoured with thyme and parmesan, the inside a deep well-stewed beef and chestnut filling. We didn't have to wait too long to be 'served', which was a pleasant surprise. Dad gave the impression of being out of control, but Mum's help and one failed prototype starter notwithstanding, it was a performance worthy of a Masterchef finalist. Mum and I were the only ones sober enough to tackle the washing up though and that did take us a good hour. I think Dad really did use every utensil going. Including mum's icecream maker to freeze the tomato and tequila sorbet he made as a palate-freshener. Mum doubts she'll ever get rid of the raw garlic residue.

Sunday saw G donning his work gear and shovelling gravel, chopping wood and shifting a large mossy stone block that was probably part of the cottage at some point but has been at the edge of the woods for some time. Not technically Mum and Dad's land, but nobody was looking. Not sure why Mum was so determined to park a big block of stone outside the back door, but I suppose it is in theory the rightful home of said stone and fitting that rock cottage should have a few rocks to call its own.