Holiday: Day 5 – Thessaloniki, Greece (2023) “Birthday Boy”

Tuesday, 26thDay 5 (of 8) Why Thessaloniki? (Click toread more…) We’re in Thessaloniki, Greece for a week, in part to celebrate my Birthday today! 👍. The location is also known as Thessalonica and is the second-largest city in Greece, with just over one million inhabitants. It is Greece’s second major economic, industrial, commercial and political …
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Birthday Girl 2023

Another year and another Birthday – as Ann celebrated her special day today! It was a day with friends, food, cards and gift! 8.35am: After a quick ‘Birthday Bacon Sarny’, Ann began opening her presents and cards. Soon after, the ritual was briefly interrupted (in a good way) by a surprise video call from Nicki …
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Six Days in Cyprus (2022) – Day 3

Day 3 – Friday, 4th November Morning all! It’s going to be another very pleasantly warm day here! 😉😎. Wish you were here! Today’s itinerary? A lazy morning + a lazy afternoon + Geoff’s Party! So far… Six Days in Cyprus – Arrival (Tuesday)Day 1 (Wednesday)Day 2 (Yesterday) Camera Roll 10.36am: After a strenuous start …
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Holiday: Switzerland Day 3 – Birthday Boy (2022)

Day 3 – Monday, 26th – Bern, Baby, Bern! Morning my loyal reader! Yes, ‘Birthday Boy’ today! — 66 on the outside, but only 16 on the inside! 😁 What you might have missed Arrival in Switzerland Day 1 – Zurich to Wengen Day 2 – A Wander around Wengen Look what turned up, just …
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The Goring (not boring!)

Here we are at the rather flashy ‘The Goring Hotel‘ in fashionable Belgravia, London (albeit belatedly) courtesy of a rather generous birthday gift for Ann back in 2021 from Roger, Jane & Oliver. Thanks everyone! 😍😍 Friday, 5th Yes, this is possibly the most sumptuous Hotel we’ve ever stayed in – and we’re here until …
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Itchin’ for Hitchen’s – a Birthday Celebration!

Today, was our second visit this year to Hitchen’s Barn in Oakham. The reason? A belated Birthday lunch for Janet – ably assisted by Jo, Carol, Ann and me! Our first visit here was back in May (with Nick & Celina) and we were so impressed, we were itching to return. In our view, it’s …
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Holiday: Oman (2022) – Day 2

Friday, March 25th Morning all! 😁 It’s our second day here and one of us is celebrating their birthday! (CLUE: It’s not me!). Absolutely no plans at all for today except for a celebratory meal tonight! What you might have missed…DepartureandOman – Day 1 9.40am: Phew! Another day in the oven Paradise!! A late breakfast …
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Rosi’s 60th Birthday Celebrations

We headed off to Rosi’s tonight to help her celebrate her 60th Birthday. We arrived for 6.30 (Paul and Karen gave us a lift after the weather deteriorated in the afternoon, meaning we didn’t fancy the walk). The gang was all there – Tom, Julie, Trish, John, Paul, Karen with Dave on Bar Duties! 👍👍 …
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First Visit: Shires Inn

It was a drive into unchartered territory for us two today as we headed with neighbours David & Valerie for the village of Peatling Parva (population 181) and The Shires Inn and Restaurant. The occasion? A belated birthday lunch for David and me! It was Ann and my first visit, but our dining companions knew …
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Holiday: Devon and Cornwall – Day 15/15: My Birthday 2021

Hello reader! Try to contain your excitement – today is the final Post for this holiday! There’s also a birthday to be celebrated in the group (Clue: it’s NOT Ann’s!) 🤔 7.25am: As we’re away, most of my cards and gifts are sitting at home, but I did bring some of them with me. For …
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Return to The Palmichael (2020)

It felt almost like a return to normality tonight, as we took the short drive to The Palmichael joining David and Valerie to celebrate a recent birthday. The last time we were there was for Janet’s retirement ‘do’ back in March 2018 and a lot has happened to restaurants since then — especially since Coronavirus restrictions …
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Holiday: Scotland – Day 8, Seven Days a Highlander!

Well, we’ve just spent the past seven days in Scotland. The first half was a bit ‘off the beaten track’ with friends in Gartly, Aberdeenshire and then we drove to Inverness’s largest hotel – The Kingsmills – for the remainder. Not sure if that makes me a (temporary) ‘Highlander’ or not!? Although we’ve been to …
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Holiday: Scotland – Day 7(8): My Birthday 2020

Thanks for all your good wishes, cards and gifts! They’re mostly all back at home and I’ll enjoy them when we’re back tomorrow! Here we are then, in Bonnie Scotland, on the occasion of my 64th. It’s another day of discovery today and we’ve got two locations in mind:- Nairn – a well-known seaside town …
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Holiday: Scotland – Day 6(8)

My last day of ’63-ness’ today, and we’re off to Loch Ness! Given our complete failure to spot any dolphins during this trip, I don’t hold out much hope for an encounter with Nessie! KEY FACTS ABOUT THE LOCH22 miles longAverage depth of 433 feetMaximum depth of 744.6 feet1.8 cubic miles of water1 monster We’re …
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Holiday: Scotland – Day 4(8)

Well, that’s the first half of our Scottish break over – and it passed really quickly! After a relaxing and VERY enjoyable few days with Richard and Lynn in Gartly, we’re off to our next (and final) ‘home’ for the final four-days – the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness. In some respects, our leaving was perfect …
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Holiday: Scotland – Day 3(8)

It’s our last full day here before we drive to Inverness tomorrow – and we’ve a busy one planned (nothing new there ehh?!) After yesterday’s adventure that took us to the rather beautiful areas of Banff, Portsoy and Cullen (ending with a drive through next-door Buckie) today, we’re soaking-up more of the area to the …
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Holiday: Scotland – Day 2(8)

I was up early, mainly down to me setting the clock an hour fast! The weather forecast looks promising (although not quite as warm as it predicted yesterday) and so on Richard’s advice, we’re heading for the Moray Coast about a 40 minute drive from base-camp. 11.15am: First stop was Banff, a small town and …
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Holiday: Scotland – Day 1(8)

We always go away for my birthday and this year is no exception. Although the official celebration is still a week away, we thought we’d start early! What a difference a year makes! Twelve months ago for my celebration, we were in central London, shoulder-to-shoulder on a sweaty tube-train! This year, we’re heading in completely …
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Party, Party!

Well, we haven’t done this in a while! It’s fair to say that many of our immediate circle of neighbours have all had significant things to ‘deal with’ these past few months, so tonight was the perfect opportunity to get together. We played to our strengths, Ann weaving her magic in the kitchen and creating …
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London Mini-Break – Day 2 (of 3): Birthday Boy (2019)

Here we are then, in the capital for my Birthday celebrations! After yesterday’s retail therapy, today, it’s all about sightseeing, and we’re off to visit Westminster Abbey and The Banqueting House …and maybe more!That means there’s at least THREE relics on show in London today then! 😉 7.20am: Another lie-in – that’s the second one …
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London Mini-Break – Day 1 (of 3)

We’re on a three-day mini-break in London that’ll incorporate my birthday celebrations tomorrow. Last time we visited the capital was back in August when we stayed ‘up-west’. This time though, we’re on the opposite side (literally) and heading for east London where Stratford will be our home for the duration. 9.35am: OK, the weather forecast …
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Birthday Girl 2019

It was a welcome return to The Tollemache Arms in Harrington today. We met David, Valerie and little Evie there – where my natural charm with children took a back-seat and reduced Evie to a mega-sulk for most of the meal! Young children and me? It’s NEVER an easy relationship! 👍 Today was to celebrate …
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Moggy Birthday – Biscuit at 14

Biscuit turned 14 today. With Bon-Bon looking down on her sister, Biscuit continues to be ‘top-cat’. She’s still VERY vocal at times – quite spontaneously – and a year since it first started, we’ve still no idea what she wants. It’s amazing how such a small mouth can emit such a loud noise. Luckily, her …
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