tomorrow, it's time for me to reflect on all the 50th birthday
celebrations my husband organized for me this year. (please excuse all
American spellings, it's this iPhone and it's auto correct).
It has to be said that Rob did a briliant selection of surprises in
jan, feb and mar!! A BIG thank you is well deserved.
Back in january I mentioned in my blog the surprise meal rob lined up
for me in London at a favourite Indian restaurant the Bengal Clipper
in Shad Thames. I can't remember how many of us there were there,
about 30 I think, although it is whatever no I wrote before.
Then there was the surprise arrival of my sister Jan and husband Joe
in New York. There were 24 of us, including Jan and Joe, enjoying a
meal at Josephinas restaurant Broadway and 63rd. A great evening. 6
school friends and their families all celebrating 50 in the Big Apple,
and one son (my godson Sam) celebrating his 23rd (how time flies)!! A
brilliant weekend away, once again providing an opportunity to spend
time with some very special friends!!!
My birthday weekend was spent away with Rob in a very lovely hotel in
Cheshire. A Michelin star restaurant meant more meals with diet pushed
to one side. It was very relaxing and enjoyable, and the bonus was
driving home in the snow! Our friends Di and Rol had wanted to come up
from Kent and join us for lunch, but the heavy snowfall put paid to
that plan.
The last birthday surprise was the Friday before we came away to
Madeira. Friday 13th. Unlucky for some, but not for me!
We had taken the day off work, and Rob told me the day before that we
were Kent bound, spending the afternoon with our grandaughter Ruby,
our daughter in law Lou and her parents, then out for a meal with
them. My other step son cancelled as he was stuck in Africa for work.
We had a lovely afternoon, and little Ruby was a delight, and fun to
be with.
We set off for our meal, turning up at a local hotel, in Bapchild near
Sittingbourne where they live. I didn't know of it's existence.
I soon found the meal was to be shared with over a 100 others at what
turned out to be an excellent murder mystery evening, with a very good
meal thrown in!! What surprised me even more were the 32 friends/
family who were there too!!! Amongst us, all sharing a birthday within
a few weeks of mine, was a 30th, a 60th and five 50ths!!! It was great
for all of us, and I felt a fraud being identifed by the acting group
as the one with the birthday. However, Ann had made a cake, iced with
a scene of the New York skyline, a curry and the outline of a dead
body!!! Brilliant.
Guests included about half of those who came for the curry and 15 or
so who just came for my murder!! I was really pleased to see my ex
Father in Law Peter (a sprightly and fit 82 year old who still sails a
laser) and my former sister in law Sally who had come over from Geneve
especially!! Also there was cousin Derek whom I hadn't seen for four
years, and friends Pat and Laurie whom we rarely see now we are in
Yorkshire.
I feel very heartened by my circle of friends and family, and it was
brilliant that so many could share the evening with me. I wish of
course that my sister didn't live in the States (they would have
enjoyed all the 'dos'!). But, can't be helped, and at least she was
able to share some of it!!
Well, the sun here in Madeira is trying to peak through. It has hidden
itself behind cloud the last few days, but we have still been able to
sit out in it (as old people do at sea side resorts : blanket or towel
over knees, wrapped up warm against the crisp sea breeze that you get
off the Atlantic at this time of year!!!) Rob has been gently snoring
beside me. He has only been awake 3 hours, so I suppose it's time for
a nap!!! Oh no, he has awoken, off to get a newspaper. Arsenal won
yesterday, Chelsea lost. It's all go on holiday!!
We fly home tomorrow, and Tuesday we are back at work and a very
hectic work and social diary. Our next free weekend is in June,
although by then all Saturdays are taken up with umpiring (Rob not
me). And, that Saturday in June is the week before our 3 week holiday
to Alaska!!! How lucky are we!!
We enjoy our life, and value our friends even more. We would like to
live nearer them so that we can see them more. However, we still have
our jobs, and what more can someone ask in the current economic climate?
Thanks to all who shared in my birthday celebrations. Thanks too for
my gifts, all well chosen, and now I must find a zimmer as I am now an
old woman!!!
.....end.....
