Eighty and counting

It was a beautiful sunny day as we drove down the Meon Valley, especially considering we are still in early April. But to have planned an 80th birthday party many weeks ago and have such wonderful weather for it was fortunate in the extreme. I was at John's 60th birthday party and his 70th so we were delighted to be invited to his 80th. We sat outside for the whole afternoon drinking in the warmth and sunshine as well as a bit of fizz. It was interesting to meet people we didn't know from John's bridge and acting groups as well as the usual gliding suspects that we did. In fact it's really the first party of any size we have been to since before the pandemic. John promised us all that we are invited to his 90th. Hopefully we'll be there.  

The photograph is a branch of an old, gnarly tree in his garden that was covered in lichen. It seemed somehow appropriate.