18 August - birthday girl (Patreon)

Today is my friend Stephanie Jarvis's birthday.   Many of you will no doubt know her from the Chateau Diaries vlog.

Stephanie and I met when we were just 18.  Our friendship was cemented after my friend Andrew and I invited Stephanie and her friends on a punting / boating trip on the river in Oxford.  We managed to sink one of the punts and most of us ended up the river. (I didn't fall in but dived in to save a bottle of Pimms which being a student I was not going to let get away!)   This boating disaster cemented a lifelong friendship.  Stephanie has been an inspiration and friend to both Camilla and myself in our restoration journey.

This painting is in our office on the second floor.  We haven't framed it yet and we are not yet sure where it will end up.   

Happy Birthday Stephanie!