No – not Mauritius or some turquoise Caribbean haunt but a bit closer to home – the Isle of Wight, or what Ross calls – 'the island'.
And not for a major piss up or hockey tour but something a bit out of the ordinary for Mr H and myself – to celebrate Ross's mother's 90th birthday.
Isn't that a bit odd I hear you say? Well no, not really. I took my mum over to meet the wonderful Majean, as she is known, about 10 years ago and Mum still remembers the big windows of Majean's bungalow that have an incredible view across the Solent and all the boats going back and forth. And as Majean had never met Hawksey, I promised him to her as a sort of extra birthday present – she is an amazingly game older lady! Although I suspect her love of Hawksey was surpassed by her love of the hound :'where's Scrumpy' was heard every few minutes – that dog knows how to work the room.
Anyway – the Scrump beast loved the beach and fetching her beloved orange ball from the waves (as ever) – she is definitely a salty sea dog at heart. Closely followed by Hawksey who always gets an extra spring in his step when we've been to the coast – any coast will always give rise to his favourite words 'bish, bash, bosh' as he watches the rollers coming in.
It was also lovely to see Hilary & Jim, Ross's sister and brother-in-law, who I stayed with 'up North' many moons ago – all as delightful and welcoming as ever.
And hats off to the birthday girl herself – have you ever seen as contentedly cheeky a smile as dear Majean, standing next to her birthday loot of her preferred tipple – 'not posh' whisky! We may have to pop back and help her out with it some time… Happy 90th to the redoubtable and majestic Majean x