Birthdays, what again?

No, not mine, that is in the middle of the year. This time it is Michael’s birthday and he is turning 30. Where has the time gone, just yesterday he was leaving for his worldwide travels and now he is married with a mortgage. Matilda is the extremely lucky girl to have captured his heart and they are happy. Enough about Matilda, let’s get onto telling you about this birthday weekend.

Friday

Weekend you say, surely a birthday is just a day, not when Michael has one, it started Friday the 2nd Feb and will end on Monday 5th Feb. The Party started with the traditional Friday Burger Night and as Lizzie and Steve were driving down they kindly joined us. 12 around our little dining room table was cosy, everyone managed to find a place to call his own. We explored the wonders of homemade burgers patties, fried chicken breasts and sausages, accompanied by cheese buns, chips and salad. I did feel for Lizzie, things can get quite rowdy but she braved her way through the mayhem and after a short while was just one of the family. Lauren Bell-Brown has been there and coming from the north, took it all in her stride, maybe Lizzie is from the north? Lovely lady and Steve is a lucky man.

Matilda, yes, her again, had baked Camembert and a huge French stick for her dinner, not sure if anyone else had any, but in all fairness, it is her all-time favourite. 

I must admit to enjoying the tray-baked chocolate squares with individual letters, spelling a birthday message, with the added advantage of eating them for dessert. I picked the ‘H’ and smothered it in double thick cream. You can never go wrong with sponge cake covered in chocolate.

Talking of cakes and all things sweet and tasty, the Gingerbread house is now over a month old and still standing strong. Always pays to use the best ingredients.

The evening I felt went off well and I think I came through without offending anyone. My people skills are just fine, it is my intolerance of idiots that needs work. Well, I did moderate my wine consumption and this did make me think before talking. Talking of wine, a day without wine is ….. Just kidding, I have no idea.  

Saturday 

Started with an early rise as Gary was dropping Alexander off and picking up Robert and Lauren for a go-cart experience. Yep, the second day in the boys is milking this birthday. Carting, by all accounts, was a great success. Michael managed to crash into Lauren and bruise both her legs, this coupled with her sore back made her more determined than ever and she won the next race by a country mile.

Off to the beach for a walk and a swim at the beach, a cool day with a pesky breeze had to be done. 

That is when I lost Susan and everyone else to the birthday preparation and the balloons to be blown up. Matilda had an appointment for her hair, Susan had an appointment with the balloon blower upper people and Alex went along for the food.

The Party

Moving on to the party, Kate had booked out the Brewhouse, a craft brewery in Poole, for a party for all Michael’s friends. 

We arrived just after 6 pm and the party was in full swing, so many beautiful people, all quite grown up and ready to party as only a room full of friends would want. 

Being the Brewhouse, I decided to have a Brewhouse bitter. Big mistake, first taste was almost acceptable but as one had another you felt someone had fluffed this batch and would not tell anyone. I really did enjoy the deep-fried cauliflower in a tempura batter. I tried the chicken wings but stopped after one, someone had remarked, that theirs was still raw. One can never be too careful with chicken from a brewery. I enjoyed the sourdough fried bread, which was a surprise. In all fairness, the food was not bad and there was plenty of it.

Michael's friend Will, had baked two very tasty pecan nut pies and small carrot cakes to make up the number 30. That boy has talent and his girlfriend is a lucky lady. 

Michael could see I was trying desperately to avoid drinking my soapy water and offered me a glass of red wine. Now that is how one brings up a boy. Feeling proud we ventured to the bar and Michael asked what red wines did they have. Wrong question, the bartender said, 

‘To be honest, I have no idea what the wines are like but they are at the end of the bar.’

Not a good start but we decided to go with the only Merlot they have. What size, smallest possible, let’s try before we have to spend a fortune. 125ml, £ 8.95. To be honest, I have tasted better, not quite vinegar but getting there. 

Thanks, Michael, your intentions were great but it was a brewery and the art of selling good wine obviously escaped them.

Michael and Kate’s friends are all very interesting and friendly people, this is a reflection of who they are and their loyalty to all those in the room who have been around since Michael went travelling. Those kids have stories to tell which will captivate their grandchildren for hours, one day.

Gary was keen on leaving just after 8 and looking around the room I did feel it was time for me to head to my couch and relax. There are just so many vibrant, healthy, fit and toned bodies, a man of my years can take. Susan revels in the banter and they all love her, It's time to say goodbye.

Dan drove us home, I know, that awkward boy who arrived in the UK 6 years ago, driving us home with his father and grandfather in the car, a big salute to his patience and understanding. Two backseat drivers are a challenge, but he handled it well.

Sunday

The day started with our morning walk and swim. Michael, Lizzie, Lauren and Robert joined us on a rather windy beach. The tide was out the sea was calm. Lizzie had not swam in a while but did not need any encouragement to venture in the cold waters of the English Channel. Normally you would expect squeals of terror when one goes into such cold water, but Lizzie was strong and only the odd comment of ‘This is colder than I expected,’ slipped out. We all enjoy that feeling of euphoria after a swim and today was no different. Lizzie survived the swim and was really buzzing when she came out. Well done to her, it was not the best weather and most people would have decided it was too cold.

A day of hopping, skipping and jumping at David Lloyds Fine Emporium for Exercise. I am amazed at the brilliant business model of the said Emporium. You can do so many exciting and liberating exercises and all are quite common but they have created magic around them. You can do stretches, they call it yoga. There is ‘Water’, I am not sure what happens there but I think you do the hop, skip and jump in the water. But who would go to a class called water? This fine emporium calls it “Aqua”, now that is something you can brag about. There is tennis and a variety of spins off of the game. There is one where you play with a ball that has been pickled, who would have thought of something quite so bazaar, they did and it is very popular. This is the gentleman’s club in the 21st century. 

After all that excitement the children were very hungry and we opted for a steak dinner. Matilda wanted to do a BBQ but as we are in the depths of winter, we used the most convenient method of cooking, the stove. I think she wanted to show off her skills at doing shrimp on the Barbie. That’s Australians for you.

When they all started sleeping on the couch after dinner, Susan sent them all packing, tomorrow was the official birthday day and they needed to be fresh.

Monday

Breakfast at Tesco, Michael does enjoy a cheap and cheerful Tesco breakfast. With my work commitments, I gracefully declined the rest of the day's activities. This did include a 50 km cycle ride in the New Forest and more exercise at David Lloyds Fine Emporium for Exercise. Susan and Lauren came back looking quite flushed, must have been the sauna!

Lauren and Robert left at about 4, they had to travel back to the north, a long drive involving many miles and a stop on the way to charge the Duracell batteries that keep the Tesla going. 

Dinner was well received, I did roast pork with vegetables and homemade chips. Good, honest fare and the desserts kept coming. Apple crumble, carrot cake, leftover from Saturday night and also biscuits that Matilda made from frozen dough, I know, who would have thought it possible.

It has been said many times but I will end by saying Happy Birthday Michael, Aim to keep the next one to 2 days, I am exhausted.