Birthday celebrations

 This was that variety of birthday that had a nought on the end.  The offspring all came to stay the weekend and we had a lovely time.  I was spoilt absolutely rotten and didn't lift a finger all day on The Day.  I had some lovely gifts - roses of course, to make the garden even more to my liking; a really good bottle of organic red wine; a book with my name running through it like Blackpool Rock as it was called Painted Temple and is all about painted plaster walls and wonderful rood screens in Welsh Churches; and middle daughter knocked me sideways with a pair of super duper cook pans from Our Place (what makes you think she's after my Le Creuset set!?!  Keith had bought my present months ago when he bought me Heritage fruit trees.

This beautiful bouquet was a total surprise too, sent by my Hampshire cousins.  I really wasn't expecting anything more than a card! They came in a huge M&S box.

    Yesterday Tam and I had to pick up a Microwave she had bought for her new flat and it was in a beautiful spot near Aberedw.  I'll do a post for that later in the week.

    Meanwhile here are some of the Primroses I have in the garden here.  I let the ones on the Bank go uncut half the summer and they have rewarded me with a profusion of new plants. I have more Primroses in my garden than anywhere else I've seen them growing on my travels.

 

The bit below is about to have the wooden frames taken up, and it will be weeded and dug ready to have some roses and perennials put there.  I may move some of the Primroses into the shady area behind the pond.

Today I am feeling very grateful for beautiful surroundings, a caring loving family, good friends and the prospect of a new kitchen (having been to Wrens today to get my quote). Also, having been fearing the worst about a friend who I knew had been ill, I heard from her at the weekend for the first time since last summer. 

Little Whale and Alfie enjoying the sunshine.