Party

While I do not retire formally until a week on Friday, the office had very kindly organised a reception to mark my departure tonight.

It was held in The European Room of the City Chambers. And there was a large turnout - with balloons ( see extra). And many generous gifts including a wooden spoon, a whisk, a grater ( it did all make sense) a mug, several bottles, a book, some coffee and fudge and some flower seeds!

Three speeches before mine each of which was very kind and thanking me. It got a bit overwhelming. But great fun. Lovely to see another blipper @louisemac there too as well of several of the young people who help us.

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves greatly and it was lovely to have most of the family present. Our daughter came up from Lancaster- but has to be on the 06:50am train back. So we peeled off for some family time.

The main blip is of the tremendous stairwell in the Council offices. There are a few stories above this. It runs from above the High Street all the way down to Market Street.