AN ELEGANT GARDEN PARTY AT ROWENA'S INN

Sometimes travel writers get a bonus. We work hard for our clients and by way of thanks we receive occasional invitations to their events. I received one for the end of July 2013.

Rowena's Inn on the River invites Julie H. Ferguson to their 

First Annual Garden Party on

Sunday, July 28, 2013.

11am to 3pm

Theme: The Great Gatsby

Of course, I accepted and rushed out to buy a hat! At the milliner's, I failed to stick to the 1920's theme because I'd long wanted a fascinator, but my dress turned out closer to the Gatsby ideal. 

The summer day was perfect as I drove out to Harrison Mills wondering vaguely if anyone else would dress up and wear a hat. I shouldn't have worried — this garden party was the real thing.

The two hundred plus guests had dressed to the nines, hats galore. Obviously everyone was thrilled to have an excuse to wear a hat—some had jewelled headbands and feathers, others sported wide brimmed-Ascot-style hats. But no-one wore a cloche. A vintage Rolls Royce Phantom, red and black, was parked on the lawn and attracted much attention. Flappers circulated with trays of flutes full of pink champagne; a band played soft jazz from the terrace, and a traditional afternoon tea was served in the inn.

I only knew a handful of the guests, but it didn't matter. Everyone was friendly as we mingled or relaxed around the pool on the banks of the Harrison River.

A couple danced divinely to the music of the era, but I didn't see them do a Charleston, which seemed a pity. They did teach two couples how to do a few moves, but the afternoon heat made everyone languorous.

Inside the inn, once the family home of the Pretty family, afternoon tea was laid out in the traditional way. We ate the dainty cucumber sandwiches and smoked salmon canapés in the living room or under the beach umbrellas on the terrace. There were scones with jam and clotted cream, and multi-coloured, tiny cakes too, and guests enjoyed cups of tea.

 Before I said my farewell thanks to Betty Anne (Pretty) Faulkner, the owner and host of the event, she kindly posed looking gorgeous for a few photos beside the Roller. 

The Rowena's Inn inaugural garden party had delighted me and provided everyone with a taste of a more gracious era when time seemed to move more slowly. And I kept expecting the queen to materialize...

I must extend my thanks to Betty Anne and her wonderful staff at the Pretty Estate Resort, which includes Rowena's Inn, the Sandpiper Golf Course, and the River's Edge restaurant, for the invitation. This classic garden party was not to be missed and now will be a annual fixture.

IMAGES: © Photos by Pharos (Julie H. Ferguson) 2013. All rights reserved.

EAGLE WATCHING, HARRISON MILLS: DAY 2

Awoke to the rain pelting down and a leaden sky, but soon the sky was lightening and a wind blowing. I knew the weather would improve. Twenty-four eagles sat in my tree and others were feeding by the river.

My breakfast was delivered at 9am in a picnic hamper. I laid the table and opened it up. A pitcher of OJ, Eggs Benny, a cranberry muffin, fresh fruit salad, and a pot of coffee set me up as I watched the eagles breakfast too. I piled on my clothes, grabbed my camera and set out. 

The wind was bitter cold and strong, but the rain had stopped. Mountain peaks covered in fresh snow peeked from the clouds. I quickly discovered eagles are shy. The instant they heard my shutter fire, they were up and away. The light was poor, so I reset my camera to ISO 800 and put it on shutter priority at 1/500th or more so I could get the aperture as wide as possible. It worked.

Met Betty-Anne, the owner of Pretty Estate Resort, who took me on a tour to see the eagles from the best vantage points. At the flats to the east of the property, we walked through the wetlands stepping over salmon carcasses and watching the birds standing in the shallows, occasionally ripping bits off them. They're noisy birds - all kinds of calls - and they fight over choice bits of rotting fish. Saw the tree with the webcam on an eagle nest about 135 feet up - on David Hancock's site and in the spring we may see the eggs hatch and the eaglets.

A heavy rain shower forced us inside Rowena's Inn where the most delectable  traditional afternoon tea awaited us in the elegant living room. I felt a bit like royalty but for my old cords and hiking boots. A hot drink was welcome as I was frozen. Yes, we savoured cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off; also ones filled with chicken curry and smoked salmon. There were fresh-baked scones with jam and clotted cream and tiny pastries of all kinds. Flying in the face of tradition we both drank a glass of wine with our tea (!) as I asked questions about the history of Rowena's and the estate. Betty-Anne generously talked about her idyllic childhood here and how their family property was converted into the resort in the 1990s so everyone could enjoy it as they had for nearly 75 years. 

The sun came out and I was given a golf cart so I could return for more photos of the eagles. It was all too brief and the cold wind had me hurrying back, the smell of wood smoke from the cottages in the cold air. 

I lit my log fire as soon as I had stripped off my parka and sweaters, and then discovered another cheese plate in the fridge. Now I'm writing this up as dusk falls, rain splatters against my window, and I'm cosy and warm.







Images: Photos by Pharos 2012. All rights reserved

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