Mag has a birthday

50 years ago my parents took me on holiday to the west of Scotland. We stayed in a Methodist Guild Holiday home where there were lots of activities for people of all ages in a sort of house party atmosphere. There we met the Drays: parents Peter and Mary with their four children, Mag, Jo, Geoff and Mouse.

Mouse was about 3 years old and my Dad bought her a little doll which she still possesses. (Apparently it had a traumatic amputation of one foot when she took it to school one day.)

I remember what fun this family brought to the holiday. Mary was always laughing at one thing or another. The children were lively. One day the boys accidentally disturbed a wasps' nest and were both stung quite badly.

Mag, Jo and Mouse are on holiday in Northumberland. Mary, now widowed, should have been with them, but took ill on the day before departure. She's doing OK but not well enough to travel.

From the moment they arrived, our house was full of laughter. We had  a great time. We had a big Sunday lunch, but recovered sufficiently to enjoy birthday cake, smuggled in by Mouse for big sister, Mag, and prosecco to drink (courtesy of my M & S shop).

I managed to catch Mag as she blew all the candles out in one go. I was impressed by the smoke. In the extra image you can see her enjoying the candles, just a few seconds beforehand.