Another year older and wiser

Today was full of treats! It’s my birthday, and I was thoroughly spoiled - all my favourite treats - a cinema gift pass, licorice, chocolate, flowers, cherries, gin, and yes - a bag of fresh garden peas!! Also a gorgeous new large ceramic  jug, as well as texts and messages from UK, NZ, Jersey, Holland and Morocco.

A special lunch was also in store. We went to Ondine, an upmarket seafood restaurant we’ve been meaning to go to for years. Fabulous main courses of lemon sole and monkfish were enjoyed, and desserts of cheesecake and chocolate ganache finished us off.

Fortunately we could get the bus there and back door to door because it was the hottest day we’ve had yet! We popped in to the French Institute opposite as it was too bloomin’ hot to wait outside for our bus home. And what a find that was! A busy, bustling cafe rammed with tables, and proper French waiters - we could have been in Paris, but with better service.

Home for a lie down on the sofa (me) while JR took Archie out round the block. I watched a bit of Lions rugby highlights for a while, then went out the back to sit in the shade and chat to the neighbours. By this time it was even hotter! Then Christine popped in bearing gifts, then Elizabeth popped in, bearing gifts. Hazel and Chrissy also ‘popped in’. I began to realise that it was all arranged. JR disappeared to the kitchen for a wee while, and came back with an amazing spread (EXTRA). She hadn’t started to set up anything lest I got suspicious. She’s a magician!

We had a fun afternoon - I don’t think we’ve ever had it so hot in the garden. Some of us kept moving to keep in the shade, while Hazel the sun worshipper kept moving to keep in the sun.

Another year gone. But what a great day I had.

Photo by JR