A long table lunch with our friends

@JudyEv (325975)
Rockingham, Australia
November 10, 2019 5:43am CST
Long table lunches are popular here and usually held in vineyards or orchards. We attended one today on our friends' property. They have sold their home and, in a couple of weeks, will be moving back to the city. They have gifted us a lovely cabinet which I’ll write about later. They built only a few kilometres from us about a year or two after we moved here. While their house was being built, the husband stayed with us and went to work in Bunbury. His wife continued working in the city. They have five acres which is almost all garden. It is absolutely stunning. They have hundreds of rose bushes and today, as we walked through the garden, the air was sweet with the smell of the roses. However, such extensive gardens are a lot of work. They also have two married daughters and four grandchildren living in Perth and one of their reasons for moving it to be closer to their family. They invited us for a ‘long table lunch’ which was set up under a pergola/trellis/arbour. Wisteria covers the top and provides dappled shade. It will be an absolute picture when it blooms. And it looks pretty nice at the moment, don’t you think?
34 people like this
35 responses
@LadyDuck (458549)
• Switzerland
10 Nov 19
This place looks beautiful. I love wisteria, even if it attracts bees, it is beautiful.
6 people like this
@LadyDuck (458549)
• Switzerland
11 Nov 19
@JudyEv This will be beautiful when it flowers, it should not be long before it flowers.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Nov 19
This will be a picture when it flowers.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Nov 19
@LadyDuck That's true. It won't be long now.
1 person likes this
@just4him (306544)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
10 Nov 19
It's stunning. I'm sure it will be gorgeous when it blooms.
4 people like this
@just4him (306544)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
16 Nov 19
@JudyEv That's wonderful it is.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Nov 19
It will, won't it? It's becoming nicely covered now.
3 people like this
@RasmaSandra (73538)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
11 Nov 19
That looks like such a beautiful place to have lunch and also a very inspiring place,
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Nov 19
It was very relaxing under the shade. And yes, inspiring if you were there on your own.
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (12607)
• Ireland
10 Nov 19
@judyev A long table lunch - sounds fabulous. This is all quite idyllic.
3 people like this
@Hannihar (129493)
• Israel
10 Nov 19
@JudyEv I bet you will miss them. It is hard to have friends move away.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Nov 19
We will miss them as they've been very loyal friends and we've shared many good times together.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Nov 19
@Hannihar That is a shame. And a shame that she didn't understand that sometimes it's very difficult to suddenly pack your bags and go back even for a short time.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129493)
• Israel
11 Nov 19
@JudyEv Maybe she was jealous because I was getting out and she wasn't and that I was not coming back. I will never know.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85426)
• Bangalore, India
10 Nov 19
That's a beautiful place to have lunchI will have no heart to sell such a beautiful place and garden and to move to city. But guess we do all that we need to do to stay close to our family.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Nov 19
The garden has become a lot of work for them now but really it's the grandchildren they're missing.
2 people like this
@arunima25 (85426)
• Bangalore, India
11 Nov 19
@JudyEv Definitely it will be lot of work. I get tired taking care of a small terrace garden. And who can resist grandchildren
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (45527)
• India
10 Nov 19
That looks like a wonderful setting! I have seen such settings in some movies and Travel and cookery shows. I think such settings are there in France as well. Or may be some other European country?
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Nov 19
I'm sure there would be similar places in France for sure and no doubt a lot of other countries.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (49055)
• United States
13 Nov 19
What an enchanting spot.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (49055)
• United States
13 Nov 19
@JudyEv I'm glad that you had perfect weather.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Nov 19
@Tampa_girl7 Thanks.
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Nov 19
It was a very lovely area on a beautiful sunny day. We were thankful for the shade but it wasn't too hot or too cold.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118497)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Nov 19
The scenery looks very peaceful, beautiful and inviting. I'm sure you had an amazing lunch with your neighbors.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118497)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Nov 19
@JudyEv That's unusual, at least here in the US. People leave the city when they get older to lead a simpler life in the suburbs.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Nov 19
It is sad they're going away. That's the second lot of friends that have gone back to the city.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Nov 19
@moffittjc For this couple, they'll be able to see a lot more of their grandchildren which was the deciding factor. And the garden was getting to be a lot of work.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
10 Nov 19
Wow what a lovely place, cool and so inviting .
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Nov 19
It was a warm day but not too warm and under the shade, it was perfect.
@Happy2BeMe (99392)
• Canada
11 Nov 19
Looks like a beautiful place.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Nov 19
The garden is very lovely but a lot of work now they're getting older.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Nov 19
@Happy2BeMe This is always the worry, isn't it? She is a doctor and he works too so perhaps they'll be ale to afford a bit of help in the garden.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99392)
• Canada
12 Nov 19
@JudyEv yes it would be. I hope whoever bought it will keep it well maintained.
1 person likes this
@mnglsp (3614)
• Philippines
10 Nov 19
That sounds very refreshing. Having that kind of place is one of the most relaxing things that I can think of, but of course, it requires an extra care to the plants.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Nov 19
Yes, they have spent years creating their haven. It's a bit of a shame that they're now leaving it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Nov 19
@mnglsp Hopefully the new owners will enjoy the garden just as much.
@mnglsp (3614)
• Philippines
12 Nov 19
@JudyEv Wish they will found a new owner who could take care of it too.
1 person likes this
@TishaMears (1026)
• United States
13 Nov 19
The place looks beautiful! It's nice to be able to meet with friends in wonderful surroundings.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Nov 19
That's very true. We will miss these folk when they leave.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Nov 19
@TishaMears No, a small group of us would meet at each others' houses from time to time.
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Nov 19
@JudyEv It can sometimes be hard to adjust when things change in your social atmosphere. Was this place the regular spot for you all to socialize?
1 person likes this
@Janet357 (75656)
11 Nov 19
very beautiful! I wish I lived in such a beautiful place.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Nov 19
@Janet357 They will be able to see a lot more of their grandchildren once they move.
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Nov 19
Their garden is really beautiful. Here is another photo of part of it.
1 person likes this
@Janet357 (75656)
11 Nov 19
@JudyEv awww! though it was their personal reason why they sold it but if i owned it, i would never barter it for the city. it is a paradise. clean air, colorful surrounding, peaceful place to live in, with all the privacy you need.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (71662)
• United States
12 Nov 19
I can't grow anything so I would be very impressed with their garden. I absolutely love their trellis. What a beautiful place to sit and visit!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Nov 19
It was really idyllic but five acres of, mostly, garden does create a lot of work.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111948)
• United States
14 Nov 19
we had something like this while vacationing in Italy
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Nov 19
It looks a bit like a scene from Italy, doesn't it? We have a similar climate here too.
• United States
12 Nov 19
jest lovely! oh, i bet when that wisteria 'tis bloomin', the beautiful aroma 'f such intermixed with the fragrance 'f those rose bushes 'tis stunnin'! 'tis rare we eat outdoors 'round these parts. most oft 'tis too windy, lol.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Nov 19
@JudyEv yes ma'am, there'd be some mighty windy spots here'n the u.s. we used to get 90mph straight line winds quite oft. fingers crossed those don't return. one'd think with all 'f the trees we've planted, we'd be somewhat protected. alas, such aint so, jest whips through'n 'round 'em.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Nov 19
I'm just starting to be aware of how windy some places are over there. I'm not very fond of wind. Our place is quite protected so it's unusual for us to be too bothered with wind.
1 person likes this
@Alexandoy (65308)
• Cainta, Philippines
10 Nov 19
I love the photo. We also have that here with banana leaves covering the long table that will serve as the plate.
1 person likes this
@Alexandoy (65308)
• Cainta, Philippines
11 Nov 19
@JudyEv that rice is special ang the banana leaf seems to give it a flavor.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Nov 19
When we were in Thailand in the back blocks, the villagers would bring us our rice meal wrapped in banana leaves.
1 person likes this
@JustBhem (70555)
• Davao, Philippines
10 Nov 19
Sounds lovely to me to have it that way, the ambiance will be absolutely wonderful with some friends.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Nov 19
It was a really lovely place to sit and have a meal with friends.
1 person likes this
@JustBhem (70555)
• Davao, Philippines
11 Nov 19
@JudyEv Yes especially the ambiance.
1 person likes this
• Agra, India
11 Nov 19
Wow...I have already fallen in love with this place
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325975)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Nov 19
It is a beautiful setting, isn't it?
1 person likes this
• Agra, India
11 Nov 19
@JudyEv adorable indeed
1 person likes this