We had planned a very quiet day for my 80th Birthday; no fuss just a nice fish and chip meal in Dockers in Jalon.
Stuart has asked us to make sure that we were home at 1030, when he would contact us on Face time so that the grandchildren could sing “happy birthday”. He rang us on time, but said he had trouble connecting with Jack (his oldest). We waited in the sitting room, with the front door open as it was so warm, for them to call back. The three children connected and started to sing “happy birthday”. This video shows what happened then.
They had driven 1511 from Rothbury to Parcent. We had no idea that they planned the trip, and they booked a hotel so that they could make sure they would arrive at our house at exactly 1030. They parked down the road and rang us to set up the call. When the grandchildren rang, they walked up the road, through the open door and caught us listening to the children sing happy birthday.
They drove down in Michelle’s new car, a very yellow Porche. This was also a surprise to us. We had always thought of Michelle as the very level headed half of the marriage. Stuart has always had a taste for flash cars, but Michelle had usually had something suitable to transport two large dogs and three children.
Apparently she fell in love with this beauty as soon as she saw it, and who could blame her. Stuart took me, and then Jan, in a short drive around Parcent. Quite a difference from our 12 year old Seat.
We now see Michelle in a completely different light
The four of us went to Dockers for my birthday meal. Stuart insisted that we use my car; he didn’t trust the Rastro car park – even in the early evening
We were still coming to terms with the total surprise of their visit, but we all had a lovely meal.
They had booked their hotel to include Sunday night. This was just in case we had planned something complicated for Saturday night without telling them. So we had an extra day, and we went to Chino Imperial in Calpe – a firm favourite with all of the family.
We often go there for a family meal when they all visit in August, so the children know it well. We were fascinated when Stuart contacted them on Facetime to discuss what we were eating and more important what they were missing.
As always we had a lovely meal there, and the staff made a fuss of us as they always do. Over the years we have recommended The Imperial to most of our walking group, and they must have gained dozens of new customers as a result. Not a single one has ever had a bad word to say about their visits.
Once more we had used our car to travel to Calpe, so we all returned to Parcent together. We were all ready for an early night. They had an early morning start on Monday, and we had an early start for our last Monday Ramblers walk before the summer break.
We had a lovely two days and a second to none special 80th birthday.
I am not sure if they realise that Jan will be 80 in September 2028 ..............
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