Jokes in poor taste, Babette’s ashes, and Halloween

Burying Babette’s Ashes

On Monday afternoon, we interred Babette’s ashes in her plot in St Marys Churchyard in Reigate, another landmark in the long, slow process of grieving. I use the word “interred” but in fact I don’t like it. Not sure if its because it sounds ugly, or because it has the sound “terd” in it… or it's just about a sad occasion? Whatever my reason henceforth I shall say “buried”, simple, straight forward and a far nicer sound. Anyway it was overcast and drizzling which in some ways quite suited our rather sombre mood, as the four of us stood round her grave, as Kate Capper said a prayer or two. It’s a strange thing to say, but I was surprised how white the ashes were that came out of the container as they fell into the hole. Afterwards, as we walked home Jeanne suggested that we might go out for a meal to mark the occasion, which is exactly what we did, finding ourselves in Café Rouge at the unusually early hour of 6.00pm that evening. We had a pretty good time, all things considered, although it did seem strange going to a restaurant, just the four of us, for the first time since Babette died. 

The Restaurant afterwards

The conversation varied from memories of Babette to when Jonathan might move out of the family home to buy a house of his own. When I asked him if he was contemplating this any time soon he said no. Josie then said she thought I rather like having him, and in fact all of them, around, to which I replied that I did, very much…(amongst others my grown up children have been a life saver for my sanity of late). However the mood was light and I said, yes, of course I want you all around. Around that is until I take up Julia Roberts (Notting Hill), then I’ll want you all out, vamoose,….. A conversation ensued about other possible candidates for the role. My choices of  Anne Hathaway, (The Devil Wears Prada) Amanda Siegfried and Lilly James (Mama Mia) were all vetoed on account of their age (a bit narrow minded I thought) but went along with it and added Meryl Streep and Sigourney Weaver instead who were viewed as more suitable. Tasteless though this conversation might sound, I think we as a family actually find humour (however low) to be an effective distraction, not to say healing….?

Le Cresuet and Halloween

I’m happy to admit that I’m not a fan of Halloween in any way shape or form. I don’t like horror films, I don’t like dark scary spooky places, I don’t like hordes of children roaming the streets extracting treats with menaces. And  in particular I don’t like phycological horror, wild horses wouldn’t have dragged me into Normans Bates’s Motel, let alone his house! What on earth was Janet Leigh thinking of ….? In short I’m a scaredy cat and find it all ….well a bit scary! 

So when my chums at Le Creuset decided to bring out a small special addition range for the occasion I was less than thrilled. But as we do pretty well everything else that they do I allowed myself to be persuaded. That was a mistake. We had the delivery in and the pieces which comprise

Baking Tray Non Stick for Halloween shaped muffins £30
Stoneware Petite Casserole £25 (Vol & Meringue)
Stoneware Pumpkin Dish Small £12 (Vol & Meringue)
Stoneware Pumpkin Dish Large £20 (Vol & Meringue)
Stoneware Set of 4 Dishes £40

have largely remain resolutely there, unmoving, ignored and unloved. So I’m offering you 25% off if you’ll take a piece or two off our hands. Having said that, we don’t have masses of stock so if you are tempted by the offer, don’t leave it too long.

And if you are one of those rare souls who has bought a piece already, let us know and we’ll give you a credit note for the difference.

Use code HALLOWEEN when checking out online, or tell us who you are in the shops.

Apologies for the lacklustre sales spiel, will do better next week! 

I hope you have a pleasant and peaceful weekend 

Kind regards,

Andrew

Andrew Bluett-Duncan
Director