Sunday 12 January 2014

Happy Birthday To Me!

The week was spent clearing some of the properties of storm damage. There are still about fifteen to do, but that's for the coming week.

 
This was Friday, my birthday, and after a morning cuppa.....pressie time!
The daughters were coming over for the evening, but for now, Amanda presented me with a lap full of 'shiny specials'. There was my favourite aftershave, a beautiful, warm woolen scarf, and a John Rocha shoulder bag for carrying my drawing stuff, camera and such like when out and about.

 
Celia came down soon after, whereupon there were more gifts of a flower press (yes, you heard correctly readers. A very manly one though, that I had been after). There was also a copy of 'The Hedgerow Handbook' by Adele Nozedar, which I shall put to some very good use this coming year. Finally, a cd token, which already had a harp collection and oboe collection stamped on it.
 
A lovely breakfast of bubble and squeak with fried eggs was next, as we were going for a short drive and a bracing walk today.We headed over the ferry to the purbecks, and parked up just outside Worth Matravers. I have mentioned our final destination a couple of times before, but it is a favourite of mine, and always affords some quiet time of reflection, the results of which I must put in my next post. We headed along the path that takes one to St.Aldhelms Head, where there is to be found an 850 year old octagonal church, perched on the cliff top.

 
It may appear to be a strange place for a church to be, but when it was originally built, the coast path that it's on was part of The Priests Way, a pilgrimage route from Penzance to London, and people of faith making the journey were able to rest a while, pray, and reflect, as we were ourselves doing. Although their journey was a much, much longer one.
 

 
Of course there has always been those that feel the need to carve their name etc into any such structure, and this place is no exception. The difference here is that some of the marks (those that are still readable) go back to the 1600's! The letters and numbers carefully and beautifully carved, unlike the 'penknife scratchings' you see today.

 
I had lots to be thankful for, but also more that I needed help with, and so I prayed in earnest for the first time in quite a while.
 

 
It was about 1pm by now, the weather forecast was for heavy rain to move in from the southwest, and on looking outside, the dark grey clouds were heading our way.
 

 
And so we headed back to The Square & Compass for the warm fire, good company, and a little refreshment.
 
 
The afternoon seemed to fly by ever so quickly, and before we knew it, Claire and Rebecca were knocking on the door, armed with more presents, and a couple of bottles of wine, in readiness for the evening ahead. Champagne was sipped, as I opened up yet more wonderful goodies. A bottle of Shiraz, olives, posh chocolates, a Pissarro print and special little ginger crisps, I do love all of my ladies! A wonderful birthday feast to follow, of Amandas fish pie, made with smoked haddock, cod, salmon, prawns and scallops was devoured, and soon followed up with a homemade lemon cheesecake, one of my favourites.
Then the real fun began, as all five of us retired to the lounge for a Sound of Music singalong, with all of us laughing and unable to sing, as we tried to keep up with the Goad Heard song.
 
 
We all couldn't believe how the time flew by, as the film, and my lovely time with such special people drew to a close. It was midnight when the daughters left, and Celia retired to her room for the night, leaving Amanda to settle a very excited Gary back down to earth once more.
 
I leave you with a chinese proverb that was on one of my birthday cards, and how true it is.
 
 

 
 
IF YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY FOR A SHORT TIME
GET DRUNK;

 
HAPPY FOR A LONG TIME,
FALL IN LOVE;

 
HAPPY FOR EVER,
TAKE UP GARDENING.



26 comments:

  1. That was a good birthday. I suspect that one of the few disadvantages in my life is a lack of a birthday party. I did have them once upon a time and as I recall I was rarely in the mood for them.
    I'm glad you had a good day.

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    1. Thanks Adrian,
      I don't normally 'do' birthdays, but I do love a get together with my ladies, whatever we do, as it's always a laugh.

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  2. Happy belated Birthday Gary, another lovely Capricorn just like my Tom and eldest son.
    The walk looked great and the little chapel just perfect for a bit of reflection.
    Briony
    x

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    1. Hi Briony,
      Yay, there are other Capricornians out there!

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  3. What a lovely birthday with all the people who are dear to you! Happy Birthday again, and I hope you have a good year.

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    1. Thanks Alain, and yes, it was a good way to spend a birthday.

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  4. Well, Happy birthday! The people around you really know how to celebrate!

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  5. Thanks Red, they can be pretty dangerous when they all get together!

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  6. Sounds like a wonderful birthday celebration!!! Here's to many, many more.

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  7. What a wonderful birthday celebration with the ladies in your life!

    The walk to the ancient church and being inside definitely feels like a time for reflection. May all things work out.

    Have a lovely week and celebrate life each and every day.

    FlowerLady



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    1. Hello Lorraine,
      The church is rather special. They even hold an occasional service there, but it would be freezing! I came to some conclusions whilst there.

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  8. I love the scenes from your walk to the old church. Such a beautiful place. Glad you had such a nice birthday. Your family really went all out. Sounds like you had a wonderful time together. Have a good week.

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  9. Glad to read that you had such a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY - you were spoilt rotten, and why not! What a lovely pile of presents. The meal of glorious fish pie followed by cheesecake makes my mouth water, two of my favourite foods.
    Next week Himself celebrates his birthday and I'm taking him out, carrying him off for the night. Shall blog it!

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    1. Thanks Rosemary,
      And after reading about all of your fantastic adventures so far, I don't doubt for one second that Himself will be treated like a king on his birthday!

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  10. What a lovely place to spend your birthday Gary. Good to read you a great time was had by all. I hope you didn't suffer too much in the morning!

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    1. Hi Angie,
      Luckily it was a Saturday the following day, and so I had a lie in.

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  11. Ah, love that proverb! And a very happy birthday to you Gary. Sounds like it was grand.

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    1. I hadn't heard it before, but it's a good one Jean. Nice to see you,

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  12. Sounds like you had a GREAT birthday. .I still stop by once in a while to see what you are up to. .I am enjoying a little break in my schedule for a month or two. .which is GOOD for me!! Such beautiful things you have to see in your neighborhood!! I'm having to put it on my bucket list of things to do one day!! Enjoy!

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    1. Hi Melanie,
      Although I haven't commented, I have been foolowing you too. If you ever include our little area on your bucket list, it would be lovely to see you and your family.

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