Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Time Away from Work!
A Whirlwind Week of Celebrations and Relaxation
Charming Chronicles of Our Time Off
Greetings, fellow life enthusiasts! We’re here to take you on a delightful journey through a whirlwind week that encompassed birthdays, anniversaries, and the blissful escape from the daily grind. Grab your favorite beverage, lean back in your coziest chair, and get ready for a cheeky but charming recount of our escapades.
Birthdays
The adventure begins on a splendid Friday night when the Farrant-Parsons family and us embarked on a culinary quest at the Goose and Gander in Little Scotland, near Blackrod. The occasion? A double celebration – their son’s 21st birthday and our very own Darren’s special day. But, wait, there’s more! Michele had her birthday just around the corner, so she promptly high-jacked the evening.
For the dining part, we opted for some friendly food-sharing with three delectable plates for each couple. Michele and I indulged in Rare breed Chapman’s chipolata sausages, Langoustine ‘scampi’ tails in breadcrumbs, and Warm breaded Lancashire goat cheese nuggets. Michele, being the queen of variety, went for Ballotine of chicken and Parma ham, while I dove into the Pan-fried fillet of seabass. As a sweet ending, Michele surrendered to the temptations of Eaton Mess, while I chose the divine Panacotta.
The verdict? An absolute feast! We wholeheartedly recommend this charming restaurant.
Saturday
On Saturday, Michele, Lewis, and Keenan put on their culinary hats and whipped up some mouthwatering scones in preparation for Michele’s upcoming birthday bash. As the evening sun bathed our garden in a warm, golden glow, we decided to end our summer barbecuing season. Strange as it may sound, this delightful BBQ evening marked the tail end of August, and we even lit the chimenea to keep Michele and Keenan cozy while indulging in a thrilling game of cards, garden-style.
Sunday
The grand day itself arrived, Michele’s birthday! At 4:00 PM, our house became the hub of festivities, teeming with family and friends who came to celebrate this special occasion. The last of our beloved guests bid their farewells just before midnight, and it was perfect since the next day was a Bank Holiday. As if that wasn’t fabulous enough, Mother Nature decided to play her part, blessing us with radiant sunshine and warm weather.
Weekend After
The merriment continued as we were invited to our daughter’s house to join in the celebration of our grandson Harry’s 7th birthday. Sam, the gracious host, kept everyone’s spirits high with refreshing drinks while her husband, Matt, donned the chef’s apron and dished out scrumptious bacon butties for all.
Anniversaries
Our 21st wedding anniversary rolled around on a lovely Friday. In classic “us” fashion, we chose a quiet night in, indulging in some TV time and sipping on a drink. From the very beginning, we’ve never been big on celebrating anniversaries. We’re content with a day of low-key togetherness.
However, a notable milestone was also marked on this splendid week. Yours truly commenced the 41st year with the same employer. If you’d like to delve into the full story of this journey, I’ve dedicated a separate blog page that’s just a click away.
Time Away from Work
After a whirlwind of celebrations and anniversaries, Michele and I craved some well-deserved relaxation. So, what did we do during our work-free week?
Monday
Monday called for pure laziness. We relished in a day where the only thing on our agenda was to embrace the bliss of idleness.
Tuesday
Tuesday presented a slightly more structured day as we had appointments with the guardianship team responsible for Michele’s mum. The agenda? A thorough review of the ‘Power of Attorney’ status for Michele, who diligently looks after her mother’s affairs.
Wednesday
We decided to lace up our hiking boots and explore the beautiful Lake District. Our destination: Aira Force, nestled near Ullswater. I had meticulously planned a 6-mile adventure for us, starting from the car park at the base of Aira Force, ascending to the summit, and then completing a scenic loop over the fells before returning to the car.
The day started with rain, but we were undeterred. However, a minor hiccup occurred when I couldn’t find my trusty Android device, which held the map and route information. Not to worry, though, as I had my iPhone with the map, albeit without the preloaded route. With drizzles persisting, Michele wasn’t too keen on a wet walk, so we decided to head down past Aira Force and regroup at the National Trust car park at the base. A coffee and cake stop revived our spirits before we retraced our steps along the opposite side of Aira Force to the car. Although the distance was shortened, we still managed to amble about 4 miles.
The drive back home led us to Staveley, where we made a pit stop at the Hawkshead Brewery. There, I indulged in a pint of ITI, a delightful New Zealand session pale ale.
Thursday
We made a promise to our cherished grandchildren for a thrilling day out at Knowsley Safari Park. This gave our daughter, Sam, a well-deserved day of respite.
The day unfolded with an exhilarating drive through the safari park, followed by a delightful picnic in the car. Later, we explored the walking trails around the park, enjoyed the sea lion show, marveled at the bird of prey performance, and even ventured into the bat house. While young Harry had his heart set on driving through the monkey and baboon enclosure, I decided to keep our car in one piece, opting for the safe route. We had a good laugh as we watched other cars being playfully dismantled by the cheeky baboons.
In the evening, we treated the grandchildren to a scrumptious meal at the George and Dragon in Altrincham before delivering them safely back home.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
The remaining days were spent in blissful relaxation – a mix of Harry’s birthday party, quality time with the Farrant-Parsons, and a day dedicated to rearranging furniture in our bedroom to accommodate Michele’s brand-new TV.
So, dear readers, this marks the end of our playful, charming, and whimsical account of a week filled with birthdays, anniversaries, and a much-needed escape from work.
