Weeks of planning, days of worry; and despite the worst of Storms Dudley and Eunice, I can report that Operation Hello 5-0 was a complete success.
T's 50th had involved much secrecy; plotting, planning, and, well, outright lying; but all in the name of a good cause. She'd been wondering what might be happening for a few weeks but I'd been playing it cool. Until lunchtime on Friday 18th that is - as that's when it all kicked off. I'd arranged a magical wild goose chase round some of her favourite Kirky shops - collecting clues to lead her from one to the other...for no other good reason than to get her out the house whilst her parents snuck in.
She arrived back a little confused and somewhat windswept wondering what on earth was going on, to find her folks here who'd kindly agreed to look after the kids whilst I whisked her away to a lovely little cottage in Crieff. It hadn't been easy. Being a prolific organiser she kept arranging things for her birthday weekend...and I, being the party planner just kept, well, unorganising them again. But what else could I do?
And so we headed off on the tail end of Eunice, and spent the most wonderful weekend...only our 4th/5th night without kids in nearly 10 years. We'd forgotten what it was like! T managed to squeeze in 3 baths in the luxury outdoor bathtub; we ate amazing food at a leisurely pace; stayed up and got up late; watched films; drank bubbly; read books; went on long walks with no cajoling; and, all in all, just kicked back, relaxed and celebrated T's half way mark! The sun even shone the whole day. Awesome it was...
Then back home we came to more food, cake, presents and some more surprises too. I think she felt truly spoiled by the end of it all and so she deserves. Happy Birthday my gorgeous wife - here's to another 50 years together!
