50!

Happy Birthday Penny Roberts! 50 Golden Years of my favourite eldest daughter.( It’s soon the turn of my favourite youngest daughter in less than two years. )

What a magical day!

For me, it started well, but early. H and I were out and about walking along a golf course buggy track, which began with one of those notices about personal safety and flying balls and DO NOT WALK ALONG THIS TRACK, unless you are a golfer. I did not exactly ignore it…

The morning was sunny but coolish at 12C so I overlooked the sign, and persuaded H to do certain things, then I put her in the car while I went for brekkie. It was that or trusting her to be silent in the room.

It seems staff are currently in short supply at this very nice /comfortable/ pricey hotel . They didn’t have any fresh fruit on offer but swiftly found me some , explaining they did not have any fresh fruit salad available. ( no one to chop up the fruit)

I then gathered up H and took her with me to Waitrose where I failed to buy the correct IT charging cables. Amongst other purchasing failures. But hey, the cash machine worked.

I was going to walk H on Woodbury Common but changed my mind and we headed for Orcombe Point on Exmouth Beach. Good decision.

The beach was beautiful and busy, with the tide on its way in. There was still masses of space for dogs to play, run and swim. H really went for it in all directions,

Next I visited the birthday girl at home where the larger Roberts clan were gathering. Mike and the three children had arrived over two hours late last night after their flight from the IOM was delayed – due to bad weather in Greece, Well that was the airline’s excuse. Ella had to stay behind to work on Monday. John and June also arrived.

I was required to judge a competition between Mabel and Eli based on their various ways of entering the swimming pool.

I left little H there and returned to the Woodbury Hotel where Anne had arrived and was feasting in the bar. I joined her and we had a little catch up, and discussed my role as chauffeur for the evening events.

We both had foot treatments booked and mine was very enjoyable. And then, Mandy and Matt joined us for the ride to Aylesbeare for pre-celebration drinks. By now, the Illis were also there.

The group size was growing. Old faces were appearing. Old acquaintances were renewed and new ones made. Minnie had arrived to keep H company. Perhaps I should explain that H was on a long leash in my absence because history has demonstrated that she will disappear and go looking for me. A dog sitter had been booked.

(Apparently H spent most of the evening lying near the front door waiting for my reappearance)

A mini bus took most of the party to the Pig at Combe and I drove Anne and M and M.

It was lovely to be back at the Pig again with its views, its spaces. It’s open fires and it’s delicious food. The company was great. The evening stretched out into darkness.
Four of us made speeches, me, Ali, Clare and Dave. The speeches became interactive as others added contributions. The bedroom design episode was introduced by me, developed through Alex’s eyes and unexpectedly corroborated by Clare. I had not seen Clare for a few years, Pen’s school and university side kick.

Tony, of course, was included in the proceedings, by Clare too, as well as the rest of us.

It was a truly lovely evening, friends and teenage company were just so considerate and caring and so lovely.

Well… what an evening! My duties as chauffeur resumed and I gathered up my passengers, we returned via Aylesbeare where we picked up little H and returned to the hotel. To bed.

What an amazing day. Thank you to DCR for all your organisation. It was a fabulous occasion.

The Woodbury has very comfy beds! I sank into mine with great relief.

Thought for the Day

Great Day … we missed you Tony, but know you were with us in Spirit… you would have felt very proud. Xx