41 YEARS (plus one day ) OLD

Neil decided to host a BBQ today to celebrate his birthday ( which was yesterday ) and he also wanted to invite some of his friends who hadn't seen baby Ellis before.

I got a bus at 12.45pm and headed for the Metrocentre to get another bus to Winlaton. Got there around 1.40pm and then walked to Neils.  Some people were already there and Neil was outside cooking up a storm on his BBQ. It wasn't really warm enough to eat outdoors so there was a table of food in the dining room.  I knew some of Neils friends as he's known them since he was a teenager.  Some others I had met at Neil and Rachael's wedding.  There were some wives I hadn't met before.  In total there were 16 adults visiting plus five children aged from 3 to 8. The children had fun in the garden until around 5pm when the heavens opened and we had really heavy rain for a while.

Ellis was the centre of attention of course and fortunately he was awake for all of the time I was there.  He was in great demand for cuddles and holding but I managed to have him for quite a while and I gave him a bottle.  Even after that didn't fall asleep.... too much going on.

Gradually everyone started leaving until I was the last one there.  I headed off to the bus station at around 7.30pm.  Nobody else was waiting for a bus  but there were about 30 kids on bikes  and scooters milling around.  They weren't causing trouble though.  The bus came on time and I got off at the Metrocentre.  Had 20 mins to wait for my bus home.  The bus came on time but the driver had to leave the bus and go to the toilet.  Its such a long route from Whitley Bay to the Metroentre.    

Had something to eat when I got home ( I didn't eat much at the BBQ ) and fell asleep for a while.  

Late blip ( its nearly 1am ) so no time for comments.  I will catch up as soon as I can.

Neil took this selfie shot for my blip.

Steps today - 5,365