Birthday Celebrations

I had a fantastic day yesterday.

My husband and friends planned a surprise meal for my 50th!

I have been married to Rob for 22 years, and I didn't realise he could be such a good liar, nor indeed did I realise that he would be able to keep a secret! Mind you, I didn't press him with

questions and I refused to discuss my birthday with anyone less they let some little snippet of information out that would enable me to put two and two together and make four.

He had totally convinced me that it was just the two of us to put me off the scent. I had thought we might be eating with the usual crowd, but he convinced me we were eating early because we were going to have a really late night, alluding to us going to Ronnie Scotts jazz club. Even then I thought maybe Di and Rol would be meeting us there. When we walked into the restaurant at 6.30pm, they showed us to a table at the end of the large restaurant: a table for two in the corner with our backs to the room. Odd I thought. Usually couples are placed facing outwards into the room. There was a massive table down the length of the restaurant. I even said to Rob "look, there's a massive do on here tonight".

Whilst we munched our way through the poppodoms, rob explained that we weren't leaving until 10. He had asked for a later table, but the restaurant had said they were really busy, and could we come earlier. Imagine my surprise when Matt (step son no. 1) leant over my shoulder "surprise!" Even funnier, I still didn't know who it was as I couldn't get his face in focus it was so close to me. I stood up and, turning around said, 'I'm sorry I still don't know who you are!'Then there was a line of 31 friends leading down the length of the restaurant all queuing to say hello. We worked our way down it like a bride and groom at a wedding!!

The usual friends were there: Ann Nigel with Emily and Sam, and his girlfriend Lucy. Then there was Deborah and Martin, Julie and Simon, Anne and her partner Adam. Matt (Lou was at an East End Boys concert booked a year ago). Val and Matthew. Brenda and Mick. Di and Rol. Nick and Jo. Tony and Trish (cricket friends). Cousin Cathy (not that I know another Cathy, but I always refer to her as Cousin Cathy - she probably doesn't know that). Arthur (Robs cousin) and wife Trish. Pam and Bert (U Charles relatives and friend of Stella's). Mick (an old friend and clerk from when rob first started) and his wife P. Rebecca Hayward and her new partner Charles.

There were others who weren't able to be there which was a shame. Would love to do it all over again!

No, we did not go to to Ronnie Scotts.

Yes, it was a late night.

We sat up chatting until 2.00am, when tiredness forced me to my bed, but what a fantastic memory of my 50th. I don't have any photos...so hopefully Emily, who was taking lots of snaps, will be able to pass them on to me!

Well, my 50th is not actually until the 2nd Feb, and Rob and I are going away for the weekend which will be lovely: relaxing he says.... more another time!

PS. this blogging-ing is a new experience for me. I have always been totally rubbish at keeping a diary, I wonder whether this will be any different. I know the experience is supposed to be quite cathartic: but its odd to think that just about anyone can read them. Lets see how long I can keep this up....or will it by like all my diaries in the past: 3 weeks worth of gibberish and then nothing....the pages empty through to the end of the year!!!