A long table lunch with our friends
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (340019)
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
@RasmaSandra (79858)
• 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
@arunima25 (87806)
• Bangalore, India
10 Nov 19
That's a beautiful place to have lunch
I 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. 
I 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
@arunima25 (87806)
• 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 (46951)
• 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
@Tampa_girl7 (50250)
• United States
13 Nov 19
@JudyEv I'm glad that you had perfect weather.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121586)
• 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 (121586)
• 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 (340019)
• 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
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Nov 19
It was a warm day but not too warm and under the shade, it was perfect.
@JudyEv (340019)
• 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 (99380)
• Canada
12 Nov 19
@JudyEv yes it would be. I hope whoever bought it will keep it well maintained.
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 (340019)
• 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
@TishaMears (1026)
• 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
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Nov 19
It looks a bit like a scene from Italy, doesn't it? We have a similar climate here too.
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• 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
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• 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
@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
@amitkokiladitya (171927)
• Agra, India
11 Nov 19
Wow...I have already fallen in love with this place
1 person likes this
