An invitation………..

Well, actually two.
The Marina has a ‘do’ three times a year, a BBQ to start the season, Wine and Canopés in late July/early August, and a Hog Roast at the end of September.
We were invited to this year’s BBQ a couple of months ago, but in all honesty, funds were a bit low and although we were offered a discount (lovely thought), we declined.
As it turned out, we were away anyway.

When we got back from the festival last week, there was an envelope in our post box inviting us to the Wine and Canopés evening.
Hubby and I have decided to go as it will be nice to socialise with our fellow berth holders again for the evening and as the event is actually put on by the Marina, it’s FOC.
Hubby and I aren’t drinkers anyway, but the thought of fancy nibbles in good company over a glass of cool wine actually holds some appeal.

Our other invitation is for a BBQ and a little different insomuch as it is from the Housing Residents and only a select few from the Marina are ever invited.
We are therefore pleased to be included, even though there is a charge of £7.50 per head, but this includes all meats (salmon if you prefer by previous arrangement), salads, bread etc and desserts (hope there’s cheesecake!) plus a glass of Sangria on arrival.
We have been asked to take our own glasses (luckily I have 2 that aren’t plastic) and if we require anything else to drink, to take that along too. I shall opt for Sprite for Hubby and apple juice for me. We have also checked that we can take Maggie.
Our friends from down the way (and Tuppy) have also been invited, and we are already friendly with one of the other boat owners, a lady in her 70s who owns a 60 footer and is absolutely amazing in her single handed travels.

I do however have a little dilemma.
I do not own a frock of any description, and the skirts I kept aren’t exactly posh. Hubby’s best trousers and shirt are too big for him, and I realised with dismay that our standard attire is looking rather scruffy tired and worn. We have already been discarding underwear and socks lately, but we needed to think about tidying ourselves up a bit so as not to let the boating side down.
So, today we have been clothes shopping (something I hate with a passion).
I am lucky in that Hubby doesn’t mind if I spend a bit of money on myself, but I do.
And if I do, I don’t like to spend a lot.
Unfortunately, the clothes I used to shop for are no longer fashionable available (what’s wrong with kaftans??) and anything even close to what I’d feel comfortable in costs a fortune.
Quite simply, I’m not prepared to pay £10 for a top when I can get one perfectly suitable  for £2.50 elsewhere.

We decided to go into one of the major towns 15 miles away as it has two of the department stores I used to shop in.
I was quite pleased to see that one had a sale on, and when I got inside, I could see why. There was absolutely NOTHING in my size, not even underwear, so I went into the next one only to find their size brackets have changed so nothing would fit comfortably either.
They did have some rather pretty tops though, but at £18 each, forget it.

We went on to one of the cheaper outlets, though my previous experience here had been disappointing. Their sizing was a disaster for me as my waist is not directly under my boobs so their idea of a long tee shirt was practically a crop top on me instead.
Hubby got himself some socks though (hurrah!) so I was really pleased about that.

We ended up coming back to our nearest main town, where I bought 2 short sleeve tee shirts for £2.50 each, plus 3 packs of underwear in the correct style/size from yesteryear (the last 3 in my size actually), and some sports socks which have a padded sole.

I have checked with one of the ladies on the Residents Committee and we are OK to wear jeans to the BBQ. Now those are tidy and presentable as we only wear them for best!

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