VE Day with my family, during lockdown

Samatha Mosse • 5 May 2020

Amazingly enough it's due to be a spectacular May day; 21°C toasty warm, fingers crossed there will not be a cloud in the sky, the air still, and everything around us will be silent. How to make a memorable, exciting, celebration of a day when you're all alone in the middle of fields surrounded by beautiful Suffolk countryside? All I have for company three children, my husband and wildlife!

Tim, my husband, is only interested in cutting grass and cutting wood when it comes to the great outdoors. He is incredibly practical, and he's not really into creating memorable happenings and pretty settings. The children just want to play on the Xbox and fill their heads with a lot of nonsense with like-minded friends. Then there is me, who has the urge to hang out bunting, fetch the trestle tables and deck them with tablecloths and wildflowers. Creating artistic flourishes and nostalgic wimsies to my hearts content. Loading the tabletop with beautifully tempting treats, savouries and cakes. What about dripping sandwiches, corned beef hash, faggots and eggless fruit cakes, jam sandwiches, scones and pork pies for a start!

The thought of getting the garden looking delightful is a scratch that needs to be itched.

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I feel quite envious of my neighbours in nearby Dennington and the quaint market town of Framlingham. For the last week, there's been lots of posting on social media. Posters advertising, street parties which are going to be held in people's own front garden and following a timetable of exciting things during the day to mark the 75th VE day anniversary. The itinerary includes Winston Churchill's wartime speech, The Queen with her reassuring and inspiring tones, but best of all, the community singing Vera Lynn's "We'll Meet Again."

Vera Lynn, We'll Meet Again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsM_VmN6ytk

I'm sure the atmosphere will be fantastic, and I am somewhat green not to be there! Heyhoe, you got to make the best of what you've got! So I will get the cushions, rugs and decorations out.

But let's see if I can manage to achieve a memorable day to honour the servicemen and women and get the children involved. Particularly poignant at this time. Naturally, there have been World War II education during homeschooling this week; hopefully I can pull off a perfectly meaningful family day.

The last time I got the flags out in such a manner was for Kate and Will's wedding back in 2011 when we were living in Kippen, Scotland. They were the "good old days" of Toddlers and cake, and a lot of carefree time, and of course, loads of energy!

But the best thing for me at times like this is not just the reflection of wartime sacrifices but also; dear friends, happy memories, of times past.

It goes without saying that we will miss friends and family and can't wait till we all are reunited. Our charges will be filled, raised, and many toasts will be conducted!! Gratefully, we have a delightfuly refreshing and uplifting Domaine Auchere, IGP Loire Sauvignon L'Audacieux 2018 , served chilled in crystal, to savour. Find it here!

https://www.mosseandmosse.co.uk/rose/Domaine-Auchere-IGP-Loire-Sauvignon-LAudacieux-2018-p192815742

As a family, we are fortunate and blessed to go through this period in comforting seclusion that keeps us safe. It gives us colossal peace of mind and a space to be able to create magical moments and hopefully magical memories too.

It will give my husband and I the chance to tell more tells of spy Granny! Tim's mum spent her war years, serving the S.E.O or Churchill's Secret Army, which purpose was to conduct espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance in occupied Europe.The day we can find her wartime diary, that would be something else and another story!