Saturday 25th June 2022

For the first time in a few years I celebrated my birthday in the UK.  My dream of a last minute trip to Paris did not materialise because with the high risk of cancellation due to airport worker shortages and sky high pricing, it was not worth it.

Instead, my day started with a family cooked breakfast prepared by grandma and where we were joined by Steve’s brother Stu and his fiancée Jo; a lively breakfast table that set us off nicely for a day in Milton Keynes where Misa and I went indoor skiing whilst Steve and Emilka had some DDT; Daddy-Daughter Time.  Steve decided not to ski because Murphy’s Law means something would have happened that prevented his and Misa’s impending motorcycle trip across Europe.  Emi was very happy to have time with him meandering through the shops and buying some clothes to take back to Sri Lanka for herself and her ‘sister’, Lorin.  

The evening brought a Japanese dinner with our dear friends Jola and Antek, two of the Godparents for Misa and Emilka.  Precious time together that was long overdue – and for Misa the rare occasion that someone is taller than him!  On the way to the restaurant we walked past the Build-a-Bear workshop and reminisced times past.  Emi still takes her bear named Loveheart to bed each night, even if it isn’t as pure white as it once was.

We had more celebration on Sunday, taking Steve’s Triumph motorbike with me as a pillion to friends we made in Sri Lanka but who have since moved back to the UK.  We enjoyed a late lunch (a ‘linner’?), the exchange of some small gifts and for me the making of a wish (the same one I make each year) with a candle in a cup cake.  

Happy birthday to me!  What a lovely weekend.  Next year brings the half century so I am already thinking about how I would like to mark it.

Rennie.