There must be a ghost!

I think there must be a ghost in my house!! Yesterday there was a crash and a horrible smashing sound ! I found to my horror that a shelf in a cupboard had suddenly given way and crashed onto the shelf beneath smashing 6 gorgeous Derby Crown China cups and one irreplaceable Spode one! The replacement cost will be pretty high!

This is not the first time this kind of thing has happened to me. A couple of years ago a picture suddenly dropped down onto a mantle -piece smashing a Crown Derby loving cup and a little cup and saucer (also Crown Derby) made and especially decorated for a great uncle in 1886.

Then I also remembered a dinner party I gave a long while ago. I had 10 guests and had put 12 dinner plates onto a rack over the cooker to warm. Suddenly, just as I was about to dish up, all 12 plates suddenly fell off the rack and smashed! The rack had given way! The result was chaos. Guests helped me scramble about the floor picking up pieces; someone cut their hand and I had to go in search of a sticking plaster. Then I had to scrabble about looking for any plates at all to serve 12 people! We ate from a motley assortment of china, earthernware and even a pyrex plate!

Everyone took it in good part. The meal was late arriving! It was a bit over done, some people were eating from dessert plates! No one minded! It was part of the fun!

So, the best laid plans of mice and men........etc. etc. and if confirms my belief that the secret of a good dinner party is to choose your guests with care! (and make sure your shelves are secure!)

For a beginner's guide to dinner parties click here. I have been able to put together hints and tips because I learnt the hard way!

Eat, Drink and Be Merry