Our weekend in Granitonda was quite magnificent,if also a little whirlwind. We drove up on Saturday some 78 elven miles, and arrived at the first stroke of noon. We arrived just in time to have the first spoils from the roasting,and be first in line to present our gifts to the birthday sprite. Lucantus looked so grown up,and smiled so politely to every one of his guests,while grabbing gleefully at our beautiful wrapping paper. He was well pleased,with his sky glasses,astronomy book and explorer's outfit. He waded through dozens of wonderful items from family and friends, each geared to different aspects of his personality and interests.
We had a grand feast and enjoyed the company of all,catching up with each other's ploys and successes over the past few months. The sprites never ceased to fascinate us all with their merry laughter,and comical quips. Tiny Marcellino grinned when I gave him his bubble machine. He blew and he blew,and millions of miniscule bubbles with a rainbow of colours,streamed out on everyone sitting in the garden. Everyone, including the more mature elven folk had to try it out. I wished on reflection that I had brought more bubble contraptions with me,to allow us all to explore our inner child for longer .

Pendragon and I had booked a room at the local hostelry,The Water Wheel, and briefly returned there to change clothes before returning to our friends for an evening repast in a local inn.We had a happy evening,although I did find the food very strange and the service folk quite slow. Some of us were awaiting the dessert,when others were just beginning their starter.
Twenty past the eleventh hour found Pendragon and I walking back to our overnight dwelling,taking in the moonlight glow,and watching rabbits emerging from their warrens to make a midnight forage. The rain began five minutes into our walk,and sad to say, we arrived back at the Water Wheel with soaking feet and damp vestments.
Strangely there were no electric motor carriages parked outside,when we strolled up to the door. At this time of year we would have expected this hostelry to be quite full. We thought little more about it as we were shattered from our travelling and carousing, and soon our curly elven heads were laid upon a pair of pure white pillows.We slept well.
On Sunday morning we rose at eight,dressed quickly,and found the breakfast room. It was laid out perfectly for a stream of visitors,but it seemed we were on our own. Nothing else had been used. We chose a table near the breakfast foods, and enjoyed a serene sunday repast of fruit,cereals ,and oatmeal breads. We felt somewhat odd having the whole place to ourselves. And then the thought struck us that if we were the only two for breakfast,we were the only two in the whole hotel. Imagine the joy of a whole hotel to yourself. A dainty dark-eyed elven maiden served our smokey fish and eggs,and she told us the Water Wheel was being renovated. It was under new management,and travellers might be few till it was completed. What fun !
We should always insist on having a choice of two hundred rooms!
We travelled back to Dingley Dell after saying our goodbyes to family and friends. Much hugging,much kissing,and many "we'll see you soons".
Rain was falling heavily on our return,but our toadstool home was safe and sound.
So back to work today,with a good all round show at Dingley Dell Community Radio Network. No special visitor today ,so I devoted my attentions to good presentation ,and great music.My artist of the week was Edanna Roodbin,a starring songstress in the old Millennium. I had researched her career,and collected samples of her recordings to intersperse with my wild words and fierce imaginings.Edanna had a smooth soprano voice and was very popular with our elven grandparents.
Her lilting tones wafted round the studio,reaching the heights and plumbing the depths of vocal pulchritude. My favourite tune is definitely "The Last Briar of Winter, and if I had not had lots of Dingley Dell ears listening, I would have played it twice.
Back home I found two important messages on my electronic box. One was from Remindur Toastyspur,assistant director of The Elven Theatricals in Metropolis.I am to begin rehearsals with them this coming Sunday,and am short of details as to what exactly I shall be doing.But he sounded eager to see me,and I am sure once he has seen the full extent of my elven dramatic abilities ,a starring role will surely be mine.
The production does sound interesting,as it will involve actors from many different corners of the Metropolitan arts.
The other was from my Physio,altering my appointment from Friday to tomorrow at eleven. So more travelling on the morrow,with some hunting for used parchments in the afternoon, and a cosy lunch at the Buttercup Bistro . This promises to be a busy week. Pendragon and I are looking to organise our betrothal transport,flowers and picture -taker. On Thursday we go to discuss our requirements for our bonding rings with a specialist worker in white metals. Organising all these things seems to bring my betrothal to Pendragon even closer .He is working tonight in the Metropolis, and won't be home till tomorrow. I miss him.

Much hoping that you, my dear friends, are not alone tonight,and have ample supplies of family and friends on which to test your evening culinary successes.Much feasting,and much hugging,from Amarantha, stage star -to- be,the Rainbow Faery.