Hawksey’s Birthday

Well, it obviously wasn't quite the lovely 55th birthday that we had had in mind – I'd booked the Fat Duck as a special 'mid decade' treat, with a nice hotel, and obvs that all went out of the window. 

So we had – surprise – a day in and around the house instead. Started with cards, presents and lots and lots of texts which he really appreciated, and a fat old fry up breakfast. Well, if you cannot have bacon and a Wimbledon Royal sausage on your birthday, when can you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still laughing at the cover of Private Eye, Jules' extra little gift.. may well come in handy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then decided to go for a birthday drive – I hadn't been out of the house for a week, so decided it must be safe in the car, and with the excuse of walking the dog we could head out. Drove an hour south to ensure no people around and had a nice walk up Leith Hill, and drank our flasks of tea looking at the view. Did make a very nice change but it's sad isn't it how much you have to change and think about stuff now. Is anyone else in the car park? Or on the path? There was also a fair bit of litter that normally I would have very much enjoyed picking up with my magic tongs and disposing of, but not in these dodgy times. Too many tissues!

Hands fully washed on our return, then had a go at baking H's favourite cake – carrot – in the afternoon but made the error of putting the mixture into way too big a tin, which is just about covered in a  thick goo. Hoped it would rise to the occasion but it came out about an inch thick. So we had 'birthday carrot biscuit' rather than cake for afternoon tea, sigh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Made up for it with an emergency batch of parmesan biscuits as realised I hadn't got any nice nibbles in (via Jules & Nicky, this week's happy shoppers) to go with gin o'clock. At least they turned out well!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spent the rest of the afternoon prepping for our Houseparty dinner with David & Mandy up in Harrogate – both cooking the same meal so it felt like we were (almost!) together. Started with gin o'clock and by the time the beef hit the table, it felt appropriately festive. Even ended up both dancing with our other halves, in our respective kitchens, to some good old toons…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And that amazing NHS clap at 8pm!!! I was fully expecting to be the only numpty clapping into the void but our whole road was out! Such a brilliant thing to do, and so great that everyone was on their doorsteps clapping and whistling away… Well done the Dora Road folks.

Slight downer that I managed to tweak my back as I turned in bed last night – first time I've shouted out with a pain brush since the back op on 6th March – maybe a not so gentle reminder to me that I still have to move with caution the whole time. And I think also because it had been such a busy day that I'd missed out on the lying flat bit – excellent excuse to keep grabbing a lie down or doze whenever possible..

Might just try one now x