A Dinner Invitation
A Dinner Invitation
Elegant in pale gold chiffon, alongside her equally dapper husband, Katie drifted down the Oak Staircase into the Saloon, delighted to find Luis (Highclere’s Butler who is not as tall as Mr Carson) ready with a silver tray of drinks - cocktails or champagne. You could be forgiven for thinking you were in Downton Abbey! A gaggle of other similarly soigné guests were already there, their hostess running slightly late… but, shortly, I was also delighted to be sipping a champagne cocktail with my guests.
At that point Luis quietly approached with a problem. Matthew, one of his team, had just informed him that there were sheep on the main drive. I asked how many, thinking it would just be a few inquisitive lambs who had found a gap under a gate… “Hundreds”. Not so good….
Asking for help, I abandoned the Saloon with three of my beautifully dressed guests accompanying me, each carefully carrying their cocktail glasses. Climbing into our little golf buggy, we set off for the crossroads pursued a few minutes later by Luis and Matthew in a 4 x 4 car.
There were indeed hundreds of sheep. They were everywhere. Dropping off my Louboutin shod girlfriend on the tarmac at the crossroads with my other friend Mrs Smiles, Keven who had the more practical flat evening shoes to go with his immaculate evening attire, ventured across the grass to be in charge of gates whilst I went off to do my best sheep dog impression, beginning on the far side of the furthest sheep which took a little time to reach.
Turning the buggy around and hooting, driving carefully in long loops to encourage forward progress, I crowded hundreds of ewes and lambs towards my guests, all standing with arms outstretched, champagne glasses still in hand but with no opportunity for even the smallest sip. Meanwhile, Luis and Matthew parked across the road on the other side to block that exit route.
And what a success we were. Clearly, we were marvellous sheep wranglers and quite a lot of sheep successfully peeled off into the field and were shut in by Keven. It was undoubtedly the wrong field but that seemed the least of our problems.
A toast was in order but Luis then announced that a further group of sheep had headed down a narrow track towards the Temple of Diana. We now needed to go cross country around the shoulder of a hill to get the other side of them. Pausing quickly to sip our drinks in order to reduce spillage, we set off again, leaning into the hill to stay vertical before once more relying on Keven the opener of gates, to let us into a track further up. We had indeed got ahead of the sheep and could so turn back, hooting and weaving from side to side again. Luis and Matthew were on traffic direction in front of a gateway, Luis gesticulating as a traffic policeman, and calling out enthusiastically, although I am not convinced the sheep spoke Portuguese.
I was very happy to see Matt the Shepherd and Harriet plus Bonny and Clyde, their excellent collies, take over duties – Geordie had thankfully called them. I apologised for putting the sheep in the wrong fields.
Katie was very concerned about bringing sheep poo into the castle on the heels of her lovely shoes, Mrs Smiles commented gently that she thought my driving was “interesting” and Keven thought it was such fun - if a slightly unconventional manner of enjoying cocktails.
We returned to the castle where the cocktails had all gone and Geordie wished to go straight into supper. I felt remarkably pleased that we had taken our glasses with us.
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115 Comments
Your life is certainly never dull!
It's nice to know that even Highclere's plans can go astray! I hope the dinner was delicious...I'm sure you all had voracious appetites!
What fun ! Have often driven sheep, cows and recently a large pig back out of the village and into any nearby field that had a gate .... never mind if its the wrong gate !! Or the wrong field .... let the farmers sort that out !!
"improvise adapt achieve the goal"!
That sounds like a lot more fun than the parties I have attended. As a bonus, you have a back-up plan if this countess thing doesn't work out.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Such a fun story. It’s fitting that Highclere continues to be setting for such marvelous stories and grand adventure!
Happy Monday!
Lovely the pictures of A Dinner lnvitation and did you and lord Carnarvon have a lovely weekend and l love to visit highcelere castle and l am fan of Downton Abbey and thank you for send the email
Thank you Lady Carnarvon for some morning levity!
Do I foresee a future episode of "Downton Abbey: the real farm! " ?
Now that's how to throw a dinner part! I bet your guests had loads of fun.
Lovely the pictures of Dinner invitation and did you and lord Carnarvon have a nice weekend and lovely to Highcelere castle and l am fan of Downton Abbey
I needed this laugh! So descriptive, felt like I was there, sans cocktail !
Well written! And I love how you are able to take the chores and reality of daily life and elegantly incorporate them into a dinner and cocktails! If nothing else, this served as an ice-breaker and subject of many future funny discussions with friends!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Another hilarious glimpse into “never a dull moment” life at Highclere! Well done and I think you deserved a loud round of applause as you entered the Saloon.
Enjoy calmer (perhaps) days ahead.
Be well!
Best regards,
Charlotte Merriam Cole
Oh fabulous.
That's because your head and heart really are embedded in the estate. What a laugh you all had.
Hope you had a fabulous meal after all that.
Monday blogs always make me smile. How can you not?? There seems to never be a dull moment at Highclere Castle. I'm sure your dinner guests were amused and now have the best memories and stories to tell all their friends!
You can now add another title to your name, Lady Carnarvon- Sheep Chaser! Love it!!
Warmest smiles on this Monday morning.
Patsy
Lady Carnarvon, what a wonderful exciting dinner party. I can only imagine the dinner conversations. I think your party will be the talk of the town for quite some time. You have provided your guests with wonderful memories.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
This was hysterical! Thank you for the belly laughs on a Monday morning.
The Cosmic Giggle flipped that script From A Dinner Invitation to Best Dressed Sheep Wranglers…
Thank you so much Lady Carnarvon for this morning’s entertainment…
Lisa Mackey, USA
Another career for lady Carnarvon as a short story writer?
Lovely
Sounds like you all had a Mary Crawley (with the pigs) event which turned out pretty good since you didn’t loose a drop.. lol beautiful table, I have visited your lovely home once, hope to revisit again.
What fun. I've owned a farm in the US for 30 years now, and I've learned the animals always set the schedule, and right when you think you have it all sorted, they have a different idea. I've never had sheep, but they are perfect little grazers that don't really damage the land like bigger livestock likes horses. I would have loved to be there. Recently, I traveled to London and Essex with my honey, who lives in Normandy, France, but we could not get to Highclere. It's still on my bucket list. Someday. Always enjoy your updates. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
Love the portraits. The Roberson Museum in Binghamton,New York has portraits of my ancestors com
Lady C,
You couldn’t make it up could you!!
It certainly sets the scene more suited to Jeeves & Wooster.
Well done!
Should all else fail, you could definitely corner the market on One Man and His Dog.
Lady C,
You couldn’t make it up could you!!
It certainly sets the scene more suited to Jeeves & Wooster.
Well done!
Should all else fail, you could definitely corner the market on One Man and His Dog.
What a story! You must have been exhausted by the time you were able to sit down and enjoy your lovely meal. It reminds me of Robbie Burns famous saying: “ The best laid plans of Mice and Men gang aft agley”. Your pictures were wonderful to add to the drama. Thanks for Best wishes for a calmer day from a friend in Canada
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Last month had the pleasure of attending the fair at Highclere.
Weather was glorious and really enjoyed the tour of your home.
My relative was Edward Trotman the chauffeur of the Earl who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun. I was able to speak to Luis your butler and explained that I was not able to find any photographs of Edward Trotman in the exhibit. I was wondering if you have any photographs of him at all?
My cousin Keith Trotman recently met with your husband and presented him with our family tree for the archives.
I love that someone was able to snap a picture of the extravaganza. I'm sure this would have been an inspiration for a Downtown episode if the show was still airing. What great fun. Have a great summer!
This is both hysterical and charming. What good sports your guest are to jump in and help with the wayward sheep cocktails in hand. Thank you for the early morning smiles.
Thank you for the short story. It was absolutely adorable on this thunderous, rainy morning here in Canada.
Regards Corinne
Wow - what an exciting eventful dinner at Highclere!! You just never know what is going to happen on a working property! Enjoyed your play by play immensely!
Lady Carnarvon,
I enjoy your stories immensely, thank you for sharing them. You have certainly made my day!
I wish we had more photos!!
Hello!!!!
I am going to say, "what Fun!". A story to be told many times in the future.
My sister, best friend and I were in England two weeks ago. Unfortunately, there were no dates open to come and see your beautiful home. I am a great fan of you and your home. We kept checking multiple times before we came over to no avail. Next time, we will make sure we have dates to come and visit.
Have a great week.
Lisa Cosgrove
Bolingbrook, IL USA
West of Chicago
What fun! No matter the plans, you are adept at doing what needs to be done at the moment and give your guests some unexpected adventures. Wish I had been there! I so enjoy your Monday check-ins with your readers. Now back to my knitting with a back story of the producers of my beloved yarn (although your sheep are meat producers, are they not?)
I want to come to one of your parties! They sound like a lot more fun than the normal cocktail party! Glad someone had a camera to photograph this roundup!
Good for you for rounding them all up safely. You are a lady of many talents!
Fondly,
Diana
Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for this wonderfully descriptive narrative of your unexpected adventures with the sheep at Highclere in the midst of a dinner party! I must admit to laughing out loud throughout reading your wonderful piece. Your guests were obviously good sports by stepping forward to lend a hand in resolving the issue. Thank you for sharing this occurrence with us!
What a wonderful evening... Cocktails, exercise and an amusing anecdote for future fun.
Mild adventure ! My late husband lived on a farm deep in the
South African Cape Province - he was out all day and I had to
stay mostly at home ... no TV, a gun I was instructed not to use,
a car for 16 mile trip of hairpin bends into nearest village never
knowing what wildlife I might meet ! Made a good story and I
did manage to write a book ! Diana Borcherds. (Hungerford)
Lady Carnarvon,
I marvel at your - once again - marvel at storytelling!! Thank you for such a funny story to start the week! I can just imagine one staring at the tiny heels of one’s shoes to examine for unwanted ‘extras’!
Thanks again for sharing a ‘high tailed’ story!!
Martha G
This was exactly the hilarious story I needed this Monday morning…..and bravi to all on you herding skills!
This should be included in the next Downton Abbey series.
I hope you will come back!
Hilarious! What a great story. I’m still giggling! Especially your comment about the sheep speaking Portuguese. . I love your blog posts, they get my week off to a good start.
Lady. Carnarvon,
I just love your blogs, this one especially. I would have loved to have been there. Thank you for making Monday morning so enjoyable!
What a soiree for sheep you had! Though that is certainly not what was planned.
I'm so glad things worked out. It's wonderful to have friends willing to chip in for the adventure.
Thank you for the fun read. God bless you!
What a great dinner party!What a great story! So well written - I could totally imagine your guests, dressed to the nines, holding their cocktails. waving at the sheep. Love the photo of the sheep, especially with the one looking back at the camera as if to say, “party poopers” as its plan to go exploring was interrupted. Thank you for sharing! Isn’t life fun?
What a different and memorable Cocktail & Dinner party at Highclere! So glad it all eventually worked out well for you all and the sheep too, and also so glad the weather was beautiful.
Thanks again for sharing another daily adventure.
Remain well.
Bravo! Well done! Dinner and a show. Your guests will be talking of this for years.
Thanks for starting my Monday morning with smiles and laughter.
Linda Jorgensen Jones
Antioch, California
Great story! What fun!
So often I dream after enjoying a relaxed weekend of the alternative ways to ease the burden of a typical stressful Monday morning managing the contrasting day to day affairs at Sunseeker London.
Today it was with considerable delight, in fact immense pleasure to read the surrealistic events developing in your latest post reflecting social life at Highclere. Brilliantly portrayed witin your writing the increasingly chaotic scenes initially pictured in my mind in "black and white" moved into "ultra high definition technicolour." Laughing out loud whilst picturing and savouring every shambolic moment was ecstasy. Thank you dearest Lady C. just the Monday morning tonic I needed Alexis and I hope to catch up soon,
I was smiling the whole time I was reading.
Thank you!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
What an adventure before a wonderful dinner party. As others have said that evening will be reminisced for a long time. Thank you for sharing. Take care
Susan
Oh my gosh, what an adventure! You just never know what will happen when attending an event at Highclere... Definitely something none of the participants will ever forget, in a good way, I'm sure! The sheep never had more dapper shepherds. Thanks for sharing such a fun story.
Lady Carnarvon,
Your tale reminds me of the poem by William Blake, "The Shepherd,"
"...He is watchful when they are in peace,
For they know when their Shepherd is nigh."
Your flocks were well taken care of, although unexpectedly!
Love that story. And to think you might have ended up with mutten. Glenn and I still remember the delightful time we had at Highclere and chatting with you on your bicycle surrounded by your eager dogs. Our visit to Highclere will always remain one of the high points of our lives.
LOL :-)))
My guess is that who ever chose the martini may have spilled a bit.
What an entertaining story! Your description was so vivid that it transported me to Highclere Castle all the way from Florida! Thank you for making my morning so cheery.
Susan Willis
Dear Lady Carnarvon, thank you for such a wonderful descriptive blog, had me giggling and what a story for your guests to tell, I'm pleased you managed to keep your glasses and more important what was inside the glasses safe and even managed to have a sip in between your wrangling.
Best wishes
Lorraine xxx
Lady Carnarvon, this is such a delightful story. Maybe just one of my favourites. Perfectly written as always. Cheryl Thompson.
Oh what fun, I can just picture it all the lovely ladies in their finery and still with glasses in hand.
You couldn't make it up. Well done. And thank you for sharing it with us.
Best wishes
Sandria Maddocks Derbyshire
My kind of soiree!!! What fun and what a great bunch of "spunky" guests!!
I am sure the dinner was still marvelous.
Thank you for sharing such a fun story.
Karin, Vancouver BC
What a hoot! I can see Bertie Wooster and Jeeves in the middle if all this. What a fun way to gave cocktails!
What an interesting and memorable party! I certainly would have enjoyed all of it!
Val in California
This is so great! You captured it beautifully !!
It sounds like an invitation to Highclere is an invitation to fun and excitement. Thoroughly enjoyed the story of your adventure with the sheep.
Life at Highclere...sigh.......
Wonderful story! Thank u for sharing your adventures❣️
Good move to take the glasses with you! Hilarious - and I hope the shoes have survived.
What a wonderful story...memories will last a lifetime...I am grinning from ear to ear!
Oh my stars! What a memorable evening not soon forgotten. There were some of the finest dressed shepherds on duty that night
That is hilarious. Well done Lady Carnarvon. : )
Lady Carnarvon........I had to smile while reading your tale of the dinner party and the sheep. Growing up on a farm, I can relate to your having to wrangle animals at inconvenient times...be it sheep, cattle, pigs or even horses. Your picture if the dining table is so beautiful.
Well said, indeed!
Oops! I forgot to say, well done you and your guests for remembering to take the Champagne with you! I’m so proud!!!
Love this!
My kind of cocktail party experience! Thank you for sharing this. It’s made my day.
What fun the gathering of the sheep with cocktails .
Après cette épopée, vous auriez bien mérité un deuxième cocktail en récompense ...
Je suis d'accord!!!
That takes the cake ( and champagne) as best blog ever! I remember my mother once chasing a Nubian goat who had escaped a large enclosure and she neatly hit it on the
head c a shovel once it charged and hit her. Ha
Said goat was soon a bbq meal for some workers on her horse farm ….bye bye goat!
I m glad the ewes did not suffer a similar fate lol. How fun to be dressed up mucking about ! Too funny
Thank you Lady Carnarvon for a wonderful story ;)
PS the table is stunning
Best Laura
It was different
Reality often funnier!
Thank you
They were very kind!
Not much fun if it had been raining!
Laughter always present ...
I have often asked random guests/visitors if they mind helping ...
Thank you very much - my old bike gave up and a new bike is on my wish list ..
We were very careful with the glasses.. there were two (coffee) holders for those in the front which were most useful
Never conventional
Katie looked so elegant !!!
Thank you !
Your life could never be described as dull. What an adventure!
Dear Lady,
You've brought such joy with this sheep wrangling tale.
We've just been struck by a violent tornado with so much damage here. Since Sunday it's been chaos and mayhem.
This tale is joyously funny.
I'm smiling and grateful for it.
Faithful reader
Pam Green
Hello Lady Carnarvon
Could even be a Downton Abbey story line with Lady Mary and others leaving the party and heading out into the rain to rectify.
Expected you to say someone started to count the sheep and fell asleep.
Just one of the everyday challenges for you at Highclere that you take admirably in your stride.
As one would expect!
Carry on Highclere.
it is often unexpected
I really enjoy your Monday Blog updates on life at Highclere. We all wish you well in your endeavors as a caretaker of this family home. I noted the serving of lemon on the dining table in the small silver dish. I would like to know how I could obtain similar containers if they are made today.
As soon as possible I will come to Highclere Castel to appreciate your gin and your property!
Jean Julien Pascalet from JJP Event Paris ™ France
Love your stories of the everyday life at Highclere, this one especially. I can only imagine the chaos of wrangling sheep in evening dresses and tuxes. Thank you for the suggestion of reading Lady Almina and Lady Catherine. These books were excellent and i couldn't stop reading. I had no idea Highclere had such a history. From B.C., Canada.
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
Thank you for this Monday's blog and for sharing your hilarious adventure into sheep herding and farming. Interesting pictures from the ordeal. Beautiful photograph of the dining room table.
Good to read that everything turned out well, and that you were able to carry on with dinner and enjoy the rest of evening with your guests. I can just imagine the conversation during the meal.
Your story was a great read on this damp, rainy, and thunderstorm afternoon here in Dearborn, Michigan. Really cheered me up.
Until next week, keep watching over those sheep.
Perpetua Crawford
Brilliant narrative! Loved it, what a hoot.
Every one dressed to the nines and opsie, sheep! Memories of Lady Mary and the pig fiasco.
In Washington state in the northwestern US, we had this happen more than once with the neighbor's cows. I and my 2 teen daughters herding them back into their pasture, and hoping the owner would get home in time to mend the fence. What a way to spend your cocktail hour! All the best.
So glad I saved this blog to read while relaxing and trying to put my life in order. This made me realize, once again, that a life of order is boring and staid. Thank you for the timely reminder.
Paula Beasley
Tulsa, Oklahoma
I really enjoy your Monday Blog updates on life at Highclere. We all wish you well in your endeavors as a caretaker of this family home. I noted the serving of lemon on the dining table in the small silver dish. I would like to know how I could obtain similar containers if they are made today.
Thank you so much Ellen. With light and joy from all of us here Highclere.
Thank you so much Paula, have a lovely weekend.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
What a witty and wonderful tale you have written! I was smothering giggles! You have a super talent of writing in such description that I could picture it all in my mind!! The story is sort of like the segment in Downton Abbey episode where Mary and her beau wind up in the muddy pig pen!
All the best to you and yours! Life is full of surprises that keeps us on our toes and doesn't care if we are appropriately attired!!
Warmest Regards,
Candice Black, Ohio, USA
Dear Lady Carnarvon: Wow, what a story. Herding sheep with cocktails. I'm sure you could write a book about the many funny things that happen at Highclere. What a beautiful table setting. Hope you've had time to recover.
What a truly delightful story. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Too funny! I know what they can do, we've raised them.
How could I have missed it?! An unforgetable experience handled with great aplomb by our gifted hostess. Recounted beautifully too with total accuracy!
Long live Highclere
Thank you for your kind words Patricia
Your guests will be telling the tale of what is surely the most interesting cocktail hour ever!