Birthday Boy

Today we celebrated Dad's 85th Birthday. Inga (the 85 yr old dynamo), Gareth (bro) and his three children, oh, and me... all spent the afternoon and early evening in Dad's room and patio at the Hospice. We celebrated in style with wine (both colours) beer (today's drink for my Ale in England series) and Indian Cuisine - chicken Korma, chicken madras, onion bhaji, nan bread and pilau saffron rice (with chicken nuggets for the two boys!) - oh and birthday cake (brought by Inga). Of course not the circumstances we would have chosen, but one thing's for sure - we will never forget this birthday. In and out of focus, but in a lucid moment I asked Dad what it felt like to be 85 and he grumbled something about it being just as awful as being 84 - funny guy!

The photograph is a copy (hence poor quality) of one taken in early May during his latest, and last, cruise holiday - something he has loved to do since retirement. Doesn't he look well and happy? Only 3 months ago, who could have guessed?

The weather was, is, incredible. Sunshine and joy @ easily, probably more than 30ºC in the hospice gardens.

Ale in England #29 IPA Gold (Greene King) Bury St Edmonds, Norfolk. Alc. 4.1% Vol.