Well --just about got everything away, returned plates dishes etc to family and friends and now counting up the money--so far £400 and a bit more to come in in the way of donations. I'm overwhelmed by the generosity.

Well the first guest arrived at 12.30 and the last one left at 5.30. Sarah [a past pupil' ]arrived with baby Lucy , from London and Liz made the journey from the Lakes --so they came from far and wide, with gifts, cakes, bottles and lots of money. People sat out in the garden as the sun shone down on us[thankyou Clara--she must have got that balloon from Freddie] We've had a great afternoon , a wonderful social occasion as well as raising awareness and money. The 'Newlands ' staff really enjoyed the get together and it lifted the spirits of those who go back tomorrow to and uncertain future at the new 'Trinity College' Yummy cakes --a couple left for me to sample. Thankyou to my wonderful friends and family [and especially to Angela, my sous chef and Pat who washed up] At first count we have about £300 but still have to sort out the 'Secret Auction' bids --a great idea from Kieran and Clare's gifts. Update tomorrow.--off for a glass of wine now!

Just a quick update before I nip round to Tesco's for a few last minute bits. Just going to do the pesto[homemade] tomato [homegrown by Jim] and mozarella tart, the tuna pasta and get the cake stall up. All finished - thanks to Katie and Angela-waiting for the guests to arrive. The sun is shining down on us --or is it Clara? We have set tables and chairs out in the garden. Lets get cracking!

My friend Angela was knocking on my door at 8.30 this morning to start her role as 'sous chef' chopping onions, peppers, celery, rolling pastry and cooking chicken. Kieran called round with some fab looking coffee and walnut cakes ,Pat called with a delicious raspberry and almond tart Margaret said she'd do a lemon dessert and Gerry rang to see what else was needed. Can't wait to get to the 'puds' Everyone has been sooooo kind. My niece Katie has washed all the dishes , glasses, iced cakes but didn't have the 'puff' to blow up the balloons.

Freddie has just made some chocolate cup cakes for Clara's 'party'-- a bit mis-shapen but taste delicious. He is busy blowing up the balloons sent to us by 'Meningitis uk' He thinks we should send a ballon up to Clara so she knows about the party.! Whoops! 2 choc cakes gone already --but then he just had to taste them!. We had to write on a balloon 'A party on Thursday Clara' before we sent it up in the sky--ahhhh.

Freddie is here today and loves the idea of baking for 'Clara's party' so it's chocolate cup cakes tonight. Collected lots of plums from the garden so I guess there could be a plum pie or crumble on the menu too. Yesterday's pavlova was a disaster --so it's recycled into an 'eton mess'. Everyone's looking forward to Thursday so hope we do justice to the fundraising.

Sunday Chocolate cake done, pavlova roulade and there is a glut of apples in the garden so think it calls for an apple tart. I'll get Freddie invoved tomorrow--he will love the idea of baking for his 'angel friend' Clara.

Busy baking today for the cake stall for our 'Ladies Lunch' and planning the menu. So far --we have Tuna plait, Coronation chicken, pasta with home made pesto [better get the basil out of the garden and get cracking]......more to come. Desserts --Meringue roulade with raspberries , strawberry tart [courtesy of my friend Pat] and something chocolatey --better get Kieran on that one!