The day dawned hot and sunny , for a day of celebration for the Martin family and friends , being at Lanton Hill Farm for twenty years.

Small marquees,hog roast,salad lunch and plentiful drinks bar , all contributed to the enjoyment of approximately 100 guests. The day was so blessed with glorious weather , all the company picnicked on the lawns , enjoying our spectacular views.

Penny, Paul and family, up from Lancashire for the weekend, were untiring in their help and support, Joe with the car-parking and seeing  countless guests up and down the path to the house etc. Paul,looked after the bar and drinks all day and Penny seemed to be everywhere, recording the scene with camera in hand , dispensing welcome and charm to one and all , doing countless forgotten tasks.

After lunch , Sue, Bethany , Jacob , Kate and friends had organised a Horse Cabaret ,they came to meet the assembled crowd , in costume and riding the Friesians,the Appaloosan and Onion ,the Nowegian Fjiord pony. We all trooped after them , up the hill beyond the paddocks, to the newly completed out-door menage , to watch the show.With brilliant viewing up above the performance ,Bethany managed to surprise us all with her first public outing with her little black Cocker bitch , Jillaroo , a gift from her Granpa , for her twenty first birthday , earlier this year.

The visitors enjoyed meeting the horses and players ,after the show , while Edward slipped off to collect his group of Labradors and Cockers, for a traditional gun-dog training display . Stunning the very many dog owners present with his mastery and control, it was a suitable conclusion to the days activities.The family enjoyed a sing-song up on the field ,with a small fire  ,late into the night , while Grannie and Granpa  crept off to bed!!

Although many foks we would have loved to entertain , were not able to be with us , those that were , certainly helped to make our celebration a very special one for us all. The following pictures are a selection of the weekend, including the Medieval Fair , at Traquair , which the family all fully participated in.

Elizabeth Martin. June. 2009.