What a lucky boy – the celebrations continued in the days post-birthday, starting with a surprise trip to Fi & Rich's for dinner. I had told H that I'd booked a night at a little dog-friendly country pub but the closer we got to Henfield, the more suspicious he was. Though he had no idea that lovely James & Dominic were hiding behind the door at Fi's, as an extra surprise. I had just about managed to secrete H's fave fizz, some wine, flowers and an Easter egg under the boot cover – and stop them from clinking and giving the game away – so it all went off v well.
Huge thanks to Fi & Rich for hosting and to J&D for coming out to play – H was a very chuffed boy, and Fi's two floofball cats seemed only mildly put out when Maddie came poling down the corridor like a dog possessed towards them…. Spot the two black & white doggies staring at H & James on the whiskies, both seemed mystified!
We legged it back to London for the Fri eve of the Easter weekend, and had a fab taco supper at Mikey & Margo's with the kids, then hightailed it back down to Sussex again on the Sat, this time to the coot. Where Ross knocked out a fantastic roast lamb, accompanied by J's hispi cabbage recipe (you know you're getting old when you ask for a cabbage recipe!), and H& I followed up the next night with a roasted cod on asparagus risotto – both meals with freshly picked (on our way back from a cheeky pint at the White Lion) wild garlic thrown in. Here the boys, a-picking.
J & I made it down to LA Beach (Little-Ampton) for a dog walk with just a ball-chasing Flossie as poor Maddie still wasn't allowed off the lead post being spayed. She was VERY unimpressed when we returned, probably smelling of sea spray and beach..
All in all a very good birthday week or so, before H then headed off to watch the Hong Kong rugby sevens – more on that to come! Big thanks to all involved.
x