Clovelly gathering as festive season finishes

A final festive season get-together for the family in Clovelly today. Four generations: Dad, my sisters and I, our children and their children. The genders have switched from female to male and female to male in three generations and all the great-grandchildren are little boys. Bright, intelligent and very active little boys who no doubt will make their mark on the world one day. The tradition of three-year gaps has remained unbroken for 42 years, as each child has had a chance to be the youngest, although the gap between the last grandchild and the first great-grandchild is 23 years. If that hasn't made your head spin, have another glass of wine!

My rock, used as a boat for play in the 60s

Paths leading to various levels of the garden

Conversations going on all over the garden

Dad enjoying the shade

Looking down the valley to the golf course and sand dunes (now covered in bush) where we played as children

Apart from being the family home, the fact that it borders directly on the mountain and has the advantage of being almost entirely wind-free in summer (though it gets a battering in winter from the northwester!) meant that so many Christmas Days were spent in the leafy garden with extended family and the ever-hospitable ministrations of Mother, who made everyone welcome whether family or friends. 

Forever a most special place.