On Saturday, I had my second 4th of July celebration here in England. Last year John and I had a sweet little day alone and I made some of my family favorites for our rained out barbecue. This year was very different except for the rain. Since last year, I’ve had a chance to meet some other women who are married to Englishmen too. John and I were invited to celebrate the 4th with this new group of friends who’ve very kindly welcomed us into their circle.
If any of you are wondering…yes, we did set up our tables for the meal in what is referred to here as a poly tunnel or a greenhouse. The weather forecast predicted rain and we wanted to be dry just in case. We did get some on and off sprinkles, but not enough to keep us from having a good game of American kickball.
That’s John guarding third base while one of the children grabs the ball to try to tag the little girl in the red dress running to second.
Other activities included a little bouncing on the trampoline which I gave a try after warning the children to give me wide berth.
There were foot races….
and fancy dress….
Even the peacocks wanted to show off their finery.
The food was pure American 4th of July cookout favorites….hot dogs, hamburgers, homemade potato salad and coleslaw.
We even tested our knowledge of American geography with a printout supplied by our hostess. There was a bit of cheating going on with a few obvious glances from some of the English players.
Next on the menu… marshmallow roasting….
Mmmmmm….
We finished up with a bit of music and a sing-a-long
It was getting a bit dark so my last two are a little grainy, but I really prefer to document from beginning to end without the disruption of a flash.
Last songs and tired children.
Of course you need a bit of pyro at the end of the day and we had a lovely bit of fireworks…I managed to capture some of the excitement of the children with a little video footage at the end.(RATS! I can’t get it to work…check back later if you want to see it and I’ll try to work it out.)
Gifts Of The Journey 
Thanks to you and John for naming the flower!
I love your polytunnel picnic. And the gooey marshmallows. I’m very tempted to try –
Looks very American, except for the geenhousey thing and the peacocks!
what beautiful children!
I’m so glad that you’re making a good group of friends where you are. It sounds like a great day! 🙂
Hubby and I did our own little 4th of July celebration with just us two, it turned out nice.
Great photos! 🙂
oh wow it sounds like such a wonderful celebration and you have documented it so nicely for us to enjoy. our 4th was quite but very nice – it was the most glorious weather i can remember for this time of summer.
I, too, am an American expat living in England and we were invited to a Lions Club fundraiser on the 4th (nothing related to the American holiday) and when I got there someone had draped an American flag over a chair and when I saw it I got a little teary!! I’m not patriotic but it was the symbol of home, I think, that made me feel both happy and sad to see the flag.
So I went to the martini table and got a cosmopolitan and sat down next to the flag and watched the party.
And the martini was good.
Wow what a super way to celebrate, the 4th of July. It looks like a load of fun, and a great bunch of friends you have made to celebrate with too!! 🙂 🙂
I have a question to ask, I have seen on one of your posts, a picture taken up in the hills , looking over Port Issac..I showed my friend and she was wondering if she could have a copy to put on her brochure. She has a holiday cottage there, right opposite the pub….could you let me know, I hope you don;t mind me asking. Thanks Anne
From Alec in the USA
Looks like a real celebration of July fourth in Merrie olde England. The smoke pot over which the marshmallows were being grilled (and spilled) looks a bit unusual. Not your old Weber cooker. Great to see (and almost hear) the tunes at the songfest. That is a special and exceptional part of the fourth.
Frankly, a lot more of a celebration than we normally have, although we are not near any major fireworks display.
When you consider we all came from the same stock, it is not surprising the party was a good one. Congratulations