60

So it has finally happened. I have hit 60. And had a party to announce it to the world. One has to be brave and go public on these things.

Actually I had a great time. Was so nice having friends collected over a forty year time-span gathered together. Several of whom stayed over. I chose to do the catering myself, which was a fair old task with nearly 60 guests expected and only able to get food and drink in two shopping bags at a time. And just setting everything out was quite a task. Honestly, I rather lost track as the day wore on (hence lots of food never made it out of the fridge or freezer) and was very grateful to my friends helping out as the place became more crowded. I started the party at 1pm and took a quick photo of what I managed to set out a the start. But went on until midnight, with guests doing early afternoon, mid afternoon and evening shifts according to other commitments.

Tim & Lorna and Tim & Carolyn gazing over the fruits of a morning of food prep. No touching until I got a photo!

Honestly it all went so fast, and must be rather like a wedding - I never got enough time to speak to any of the folk who had come down. I was very touched that I had guests from as far as Edinburgh, Exeter, Bath, Newcastle and Manchester. And all age ranges, from over 60 down to teenagers (and a few smaller kids still, but they had to come!) I also benefitted from the sadness of the Queen passing. That meant the rail unions called off the rail strike which obviously made it a lot easier for folk to travel.

So here is young Luka bringing in my birthday cake fully lit with candles - obviously not actually 60 as that would have been a fire hazard. And thanks Clarissa for sourcing the cake.

Blowing them out is a big job at my age!

And here is my post 60 display. Now I just need to find something else to celebrate to use up all the champagne. And the 100 cocktail sausages and 50 sausage rolls in my freezer.

And breakfast next morning for those who opted for overnight stay.

 And I also need to get back to updating this blog. My backlog is enormous. But I have been busy, and the weather too nice....