Champagne, lobster and chocolate cake

We had thought of going to one of our favourite places for my birthday -New York then Damascus, then Copenhagen all wonderful cities but in the end it came down to a simple day out with the family but of course it had to have one or two surprises

In the end it was a day of champagne, lobster and sachertorte as well as japes, presents and cards.

It started when we piled into the car and set off to Anstruther to meet the ferry for the start of the secret birthday adventures.

An hour or so later we arrived on the beautiful Isle of May in the mouth of the River Forth. It's an amazing place filled with seabirds, ancient sites and fascinating Victorian technology. Here you can see the cast iron pipes that used to carry compressed air to feed the to huge fog horns looking like a still from Riven.

After a stroll Layla produced a stonking picnic of fairy cakes and champagne from her rucksack which was another major surprise.

Then back to the mainland for a dinner of lobster and chips in a box from the best chip shop in the universe..

The day was rounded off by everyone heading back home for a song and a slice of candle laden birthday cake..

I've had lovely day which couldn't have been better - simply being with the people I love.. That simple.

Now where's that new bus pass?