In the bleak midwinter

...fifty three years ago today, a lovely lady gave birth to her second born (but first son) in the spare bedroom of her home, whilst carol singers sang Once in Royal David’s City in the street outside.

Midwife and doctor present, husband and anxious dad (to clarify, these are one and the same person :-))) pacing the floor downstairs having deposited older-sister-to-be with best friends next door.

With the new born and mum checked over and deemed to be perfectly fine, the doctor and midwife took their leave, as mum enjoyed a cup of tea and dad cooed over his new son, an early Christmas present who wasn’t due to arrive till Boxing Day.

The first time David’s mum told me the story of his birth I was in tears at the perfection of it. She said he was born smiling and I can verify that his sunny disposition rarely leaves him, and on the rare occasion that it does, it’s usually my fault! Oops! :-))

To celebrate his birthday we went out for lunch to The Century Bar at Gleneagles. Always a pleasure to visit on special occasions.

Such a joy to drive to the grand entrance to be met with the friendliest of doormen who will happily relieve you of your car keys and car (and when he returns it, is keen to tell you that your car and a Lexus he parked earlier are two of the comfiest cars on the market. Much better than Audi’s, which have hard ridges on the seats. Not good for wider bottoms apparently! Hahaha...glad we got rid of the Audi then!! )

Lunch was delicious. Butternut squash and coconut soup for a David and smoked salmon for me to start, then we both had the sourdough steak sandwich. Coffee and a finger of Scottish shortbread to finish. Yum.

Short drive home and a productive afternoon saw me complete my Christmas shopping.

David spent a chunk of the evening with Alan (who bought his dad a lovely fine knit jumper, some aftershave and chocolate for his birthday.)

A lovely day :-)