I can’t quite believe it! Yesterday, I celebrated my 70th Birthday!! (details HERE). The good news? I don’t feel 70! (well, most of the time!) – you know I’m really only in my 20s on the inside!

The perfect excuse, then, for some serious celebration, but perhaps something a little different!

After a lot of head-scratching, I decided I DIDN’T want a big party. Instead, I came up with a ’70-70-70′ theme. I planned to meet up with (at least) 70 familiar faces who are part of my life! I wouldn’t be celebrating with everyone all at once, but instead, Ann – in full organising mode – and I arranged a series of smaller, more personal get-togethers in the 70 days before my Birthday weekend – 70-70-70 – what an imaginative name, ehh! . The fun began in July with a get-together with Ann’s side of the family and ended with the Palmer family lunch on my Birthday Weekend.

And by the time the first get-together came about, we had potentially 16 events planned and 88 guests invited to help me celebrate! . As the weeks rolled by, those numbers grew, and by the time we had the final event, I’d enjoyed 19 get-togethers and caught up with over 90 familiar faces. Phew! A wonderful experience, from beginning to end, but actually quite exhausting! – but all in a good way!

All the photos are HERE

Trigger Warning:
The following Post contains multiple
scenes of food excess and general over-indulgence

Event 1 – Cousins Get-together

Where: East Sheen/Richmond Park

When: Sunday, 19 July – exactly 70 days to go!

What better way to begin my 70-70-70 celebrations than meeting up with family!? A gathering of cousins and their families from Ann’s side – and a great day for it! We set off early, by car, heading for London. Our destination? London’s famous Richmond Park, but before all that, we had the perfect opportunity to just ‘catch up’ with everyone in the most relaxing of ways at Ali & Alison’s home. It’s been about a year since we last got together, so there was lots to chat about!

But before the convoy set off for the Park. Ali & Alison had laid out a great spread in their lounge, and we spent the next couple of hours enjoying the good food and each others’ company.

Then we set off for the Park. What could possibly go wrong? . In short, we got lost going there whilst the others, having arrived before us, realised that parking was going to be a nightmare and had moved on to a nearby location (still in Richmond Park) but a less congested part – Isabella Plantation – a beautiful 40-acre woodland garden, set within a Victorian plantation established in the 1830s.

What a lovely start to things. It had been a great start to my ‘period of excess ‘, and the weather certainly suited the occasion. I even heard from Zidane on WhatsApp video who was currently away, enjoying a holiday. Wow! What a day! It was a long drive home, but SO worth it!

Event 2 – Stuart, Rick, Bill and Martin

Where: Doggett’s Pub, Blackfriars Bridge, London

When: Tuesday, 28 July

A long overdue catch-up from my working days with Stuart, Rick, Bill and Martin. Back then they were all part of ‘Positive Image’ – the go-to guys for high-quality AV production. I spent many days over many years working alongside these chaps during the early 90s! So professional and so helpful – and a joy to work with too!

Did I mention, some of us were BIG Thunderbirds fans?? . FAB!

It had been great to catch up with these guys after all these years. We even decided that it should become more of a regular occasion – suits me, but I need to have a chat with my waistline first!!!

We bid farewell and went our separate ways – until the next time – and I headed for Blackfriars Station and my journey home. The more of these gatherings I do, the more I’m convinced that avoiding a BIG party and opting for smaller ‘meets’ is the way to maximise my birthday enjoyment!

Event 3 – Dennis & Sandra

Where: Brodsworth Hall & Gardens

When: Wednesday, 29 July

Today we caught up with Dennis and Sandra in Doncaster. You can read the full Post HERE, but in short, another really enjoyable get-together with our friends ‘up north’. A great location for a bit of culture (Brodsworth Hall) with great mates, followed by a fab lunch.

Yes, add today to my growing list of GREAT days out! – read all about it HERE.

Event 4 – Ian, Ann, Alan & Mags

Where: Ascough’s Bistro, Market Harborough

When: Friday, 31 July

Today was a welcome return to Ascough’s Bistro in Market Harborough. It coincided with our usual three-monthly catch-up, and it was good to see ‘the gang’ again. The Bistro punched well above its weight both in terms of the food and service levels. A great experience all round and probably one of the best meals we’ve enjoyed in a long while! Ian, Mags and I go back almost 40 years, having worked together on about a gazillion projects – and we’re still talking!! … and also to each other!

Event 5 – Ralph, Karen, David, Valerie, Nick and Celina

Where: Hitchen’s Barn Restaurant, Oakham

When: Saturday, 1 August

A great gathering of friends and (some of our) neighbours today at possibly our favourite restaurant in these parts! Ralph was my Best Man, Karen was Ann’s Maid of Honour (we’ve known them over 40 years!) David and Valerie have lived near us for 30 years, whilst Nick & Celina have been good mates for also about 30 years! The food and service were just as we remember – excellent, all round! . Louise, the co-owner runs a tight ship here, and it showed!

Is there such a thing as TOO MUCH GOOD FOOD WITH FRIENDS? Yes, of course, I just experienced it!

Event 6 – Janet, Jo, Carol, Nicki, Chris and Helen

Where: Home

When: Sunday, 2 August

Another fantastic get-together this afternoon. The weather was so good, we were able to eat outside at ours. Ann performed marvels in the kitchen, ably assisted by Nicki who, as temporary sous-Chef, meant we all enjoyed a very memorable meal. The Lamb was delicious and the Ratatouille, probably the best I’d ever tasted! Thanks to Jo & Janet, I also received a helium-filled balloon (that seemed to take on a mind of its own during the afternoon and become very attached to Janet, Chris and me!). We ate a lot, laughed a lot and put right all the world’s wrongs! (well, almost!)

Event 7 – Andrew McMillan

Where: Bricklayers Arms, Chipstead

When: Wednesday, 5 August

I think Andrew and I first met in Orpington Sainsbury’s in the mid 70s – and we’re still chatting regularly, 50 years later! . Back then it was my very first day as a very inexperienced (actually, NO experience!) Trainee Manager at Sainsbury’s (‘747’ Orpington), and Andrew was an experienced ‘Tradesman’ who showed me the ropes.

I picked up Andrew at his place, and after a quick natter, we took the short drive to the Pub – The Bricklayers Arms in Chipstead – overlooking Chipstead Lake. After a quick pint, we tucked into a wholesome lunch and restarted our reminiscing!

In between mouthfuls, we attempted to wind back the clock some 50 years and fill in the gaps of the people and places that had touched our lives so long ago! It’s fair to say that the recollections were a heady mix of fun, frustration and a little sadness as we reflected on those whom we’d lost touch with, or who are no longer with us, since those early days.

It was great to revisit common ground in our working lives from the 70s, where, compared with the modern workplace in 2026, felt like being on a different planet! We both agreed that as fun as it was, where we worked hard and played harder – were glad to be ‘out of it’. We both reckoned we’d be unemployable these days!

Before heading back, we took a short diversion to revisit a senior manager’s rather grand house who we both knew back in the day. Strangely (or not!), it all looked a bit ‘ordinary’ today!

I dropped Andrew back at his, and he handed me a gift that he insisted I opened there and then. It turned out to be a scale model of the very first car I’d bought in 1974!

Yes, a bright blue RAC Mini-Van – a scale model the real thing that my Mum acquired for me as part of the perks of her job at RAC HQ in Croydon. It was the car that Andrew saw me arrive in (sans RAC livery) on my very first day ‘in management’, and brought back some powerful memories! The real version (not the model) was eventually to be painted red and have rear windows added! , and it was good to be reminded of my first set of wheels ever! Cheers, Andrew! Everyone remembers their first car, AND more importantly, their first business contact! Today,I did both! (Registration number: FGH 72X). Wow! We covered some ground today, but we eventually said our goodbyes – until the next time!

The journey home was horrendous, with miles of traffic heading for the Dartford Tunnel, and it didn’t improve much once I got on the M11! I’d forgotten how congested these roads had become, but it had all been worth it to share some quality time with Andrew.

Event 8 – Chris Wilson

Where: Oxford

When: Monday, 10 August

Today, I caught up with Chris. He’s been a good friend (and our Financial Advisor) since about 1983 – 43 years! Oxford was about mid-point for both of us and we met at the luxurious location of Peartree Interchange and the Holiday Inn! Yes, we’re living the dream!

It was good to catch up with Chris as we usually spend our time just ‘talking numbers’. Although the service at the Hotel was somewhat lacklustre, the food was much better than expected – and that all helped to keep the conversation flowing and catch up with what’s been going on in Chris’s world (Grandfather of one…and soon to be two!) and ours.

At just before 2.45, we said our goodbyes, and Ann took the wheel for the drive home. Certainly, our return journey was better than getting there, and we were home by 4.15pm. Cheers, Chris, for battling the traffic too! It was good to chat about non-financial matters!

Event 9 – Chas Hewett

Where: Piccadilly/Mayfair, London

When: Wednesday, 12 August

I first met Chas back in the Autumn of 1977, where else, but at Sainsbury’s (in Bromley)! We became really good friends, and on Sunday evenings you’d regularly find us at the Three Compasses on Widmore Road, Bromley, sampling the local ale. Sadly, the Pub closed its doors for good in 2016, but we’re still around – and always happy to sink a pint or three in each other’s company!

In future years, whilst I chased promotion in the courtesy of Mr Sainsbury, Chas joined the Royal Marines, serving 23 years for Queen and Country! In the years that followed, we lost touch to some degree, except for birthday/anniversary and Christmas Cards, but eventually reconnected years later – Chas thinks that was back in 2002, whilst Ann thinks earlier, maybe 1997 – and (as helpful as ever) I had no idea! I was, by then, coming up to about 10 years of being self-employed, and Chas had concluded his tour of duty and set himself up as a freelance Outside Events Organiser (think ‘Glastonbury’, ‘F1’ and other events with quite a few other big-ticket events). Geographically, we ended up living at opposite ends of the UK, but we still managed to keep in touch over the years. Today was extra special, as it was the first time we’d be seeing each other face-to-face for 20+ years.

Ann dropped me at Kettering Station on a day that promised record-breaking temperatures (again!) . Chas and I had agreed to meet in London and ‘make a day of it’. But first of all, I had to get there! I’d pre-booked my ticket and avoided the trains that were likely to be super-busy. But, as is becoming a regular occurrence, the EMR mascot’s cheery smile betrayed the reality. Half of Kettering was already on the platform, having just been informed that the-train-before mine had been cancelled!

My train arrived on time, where in spite of the hordes, it wasn’t too congested once I found a seat. The AC was working too, and so was the wi-fi. Three out of three! Happy days! . A relaxed journey followed, and I was soon in the capital. A quick walk to the nearby Victoria Line was followed by the slowest of journeys, by Tube, to Green Park (I’m not sure why!)

As planned, we met just after 12 at Pret in Piccadilly. Chas had arrived just ahead of me and got in the first round of coffees.

And after a quick catch-up enjoying our first coffee at Pret, we took the short walk to a local – The King’s Head in nearby Stafford Street, Mayfair. A pint of ‘Timothy Taylor Landlord‘ each later, and we were taking a deeper dive into our respective backstories. A couple more and it was like we’d never been apart, chatting away about the days when Sainsbury’s was THE powerhouse of food retailing.

The food/service didn’t disappoint (we both love a good pie!), and we spent the next couple of hours people-watching the good folk of Mayfair going about their day, interspersed with us catching up with our own family affairs whilst reflecting on our working days together. With the clock ticking closer and closer to my timed train, we both headed off towards Green Park Tube just after 3pm and said our goodbyes. Great to see you, after so long, Chas!

Thankfully, it was a much faster journey by Tube back to St Pancras, only to be subject to the current EMR curse of fewer trains and reduced carriage count at St Pancras. It was now about 32℃, and so my train with its broken AC and just 4 coaches (instead of 8) wasn’t the news I wanted to hear and didn’t make for a particularly comfortable experience heading home. In closing, to give a sense of how hot it was, my paper ticket wouldn’t work at the barrier at Kettering because it was too damp! Yuk!

Event 10 – Sally B

Where: Skew Turkish Restaurant, Bishops Stortford

When: Friday, 14 August

Sally and I go back quite a few years, where, yes, Sainsbury’s, again, was the catalyst. Our working lives crossed there over many years and where we both ended up working in JS’s Training Department. Years later we would both start our own respective training businesses (me in 1989 and Sally around 10 years later). After doing our thing, we eventually reconnected socially, we think, around 1999/2000 and have been grabbing the odd lunch together, a couple of times a year, ever since.

Today, was more of the same as we took the short – but sweaty – walk into Bishop’s Stortford town and the Turkish Restaurant, ‘Skew‘. We’ve been here a few times before, and it’s always punched above its weight. Today, was no different and the service was simply superb! Our Waiter, Hassan, obviously overheard our conversation about the reason for today’s get-together and even though we both declined Dessert, he returned a few minutes later with a big smile and a special ‘Happy Birthday’ Pud! Excellent! .

Nice touch, ehh! . After settling the (very reasonable) bill, we took the short walk to Sal’s in the scorching heat and shared a cuppa! Just after 3pm, we said our goodbyes and I headed for the M11, expecting a horrendous journey based on the congestion I’d seen heading north whilst I was heading south earlier in the day. Good news! Apart from a bit of stickiness around J10 to J12, it was one of the better journeys home (especially given that it was a Friday) and I was indoors just after 4.30pm .

Good to see you today, Sal! I had a great time reflecting on the years past with you. Thanks also for my gift and card!

Event 11 – Mick, Jane, Phil and Karen

Where: Montagu Arms, Barnwell

When: Sunday, 16 August

Another group get-together today with friends. We drove to the Montagu Arms in Barnwell to meet up with Phil & Karen and Mick & Jane. I’m happily reminded how far some of our friendships go back, and this is another long one – as far back as first clapping eyes on each other in the early 80s! (although we couldn’t agree on whether our first close encounter was 1981 or 1982). Best of all though, we’re still in touch, 40+ years later, and today was the perfect excuse to get together again! Last time we were here was back in November 2025 (also with Mick & Jane).

Wow! What a great gathering! We spent some time comparing notes about the ‘old firm’, but not ALL the time, leaving us plenty of time to laugh and chat about pretty much everything else. Food and service were excellent – and the portion sizes, massive (I think I had almost a whole lamb!) Baa!

The Pub was enjoying a busy time, but it didn’t prevent them from looking after us well and even managing to conspire with Jane to deliver my favourite Pud without me asking (Sticky Toffee Pudding – thanks for asking!) together with the symbolic single candle (single? Well, even given the generous portion sizes, they would have never fitted close to 70 on there!).

If that wasn’t a surprise, two of their waiting staff launched into the familiar “Happy Birthday” song, where pretty much the whole of the restaurant joined in! .

I had a great time, and it was good to get together with friends whose friendships go back so many years! Being a Sunday, we had a hassle-free journey home, and by 3pm, we were enjoying a cuppa indoors!

Event 12 – Roy, Susan, Steve H, Helen, Chris and Gill

Where: Home

When: Wednesday, 19 August

More of the same today, but this time at home! Ann had worked really hard getting it all organised where we had Roy & Susan (flying in from Spain!), Steve & Helen and Chris & Gill here for lunch. The connection? We all worked in the same office (in Romford) in the mid-80s where I was managing a department of Management and Technical Trainers (Roy and Gill were important members of that team) whilst Steve was located across the office as a PA to one of the Directors.

Wow! What an afternoon! We even had water falling from the sky in the early afternoon – no idea what that was! . To say the conversations were a nostalgia-fest was a massive understatement, and it was great fun re-living those experiences that we all shared. Actually, it was more of a test of our memories, trying to remember all the names!

In the intervening years, we’d all been busy in our own ways, where travel seemed to be a common theme, confirming that we’d all seen a lot of the world and added many miles ‘to our belts’ since those simpler times in the 80s!

After we hastily cleared up outside, the celebrations continued indoors, where the combination of wine and good food allowed us to instantly put UK politics right, as well as solve the rest of the world’s problems – including global warming! Yes, a busy afternoon with plenty of laughter and, for some, even managing to squeeze in an impromptu card game too! We continued the celebrations throughout what was left of the afternoon and into the early evening, with our last guests leaving at about 7.30pm.

It had been another great day of spending quality time with friends – the whole point of these ’70-70-70′ events! It was tiring though! (it must be my age!!) and our guests had been a great help in keeping on top of the dishwasher/the clearing up and oh, the wine levels!

Clearing up was a doddle thanks to a lot of extra help from Roy & Susan, who were staying over. As if we had eaten enough, we tucked into cheese & biscuits before crashing out about 9pm. (Very) Happy Days!

Event 13 – Angela, Antoinette, Rick, Philip, Carey and June

Where: EV’s, Isabella Street, The Cut, London

When: Wednesday, 26 August

Another visit to London today and a familiar haunt – EV’s near Southwark Tube Station.

Ann and I caught the 10.19 out of Kettering. The weather was the wettest it had been for a while – and we dressed accordingly! Surprise, surprise! – today, the train was on time, and it had a full complement of coaches. However, the AC wasn’t working (again!), and the wi-fi wouldn’t connect! So, not quite full marks for EMR (again!) Still, at least we got a seat! We arrived at EV’s in good time and had plenty of time to squeeze in a chat before our friends arrived.

EV’s has been a popular destination for us (and our soon-to-arrive friends) over the years – we’d all last met here like this back in 2016 to celebrate my 60th (how’s that for consistency!?). Back to 2026, and we soon realised we had the wrong clothes for the capital, as the weather here turned out to be a scorcher. Luckily, the restaurant had followed my suggestion and given us a table outside. Although it began a little stuffy, a gentle breeze and the surrounding foliage soon provided the perfect eating space.

The gang was soon assembled and our food and drink was ordered. Time for a bit of catching up!

In some respects, a slightly unusual gathering today in that the majority of this group mostly had no connection with my old firm of Sainsbury’s at all (apart from possibly shopping there!)

Instead, they represented an important, but most of all, enjoyable period in my working career in the late 90s (1999 to 2001). I’d joined forces with these guys and we ran a series of workshops on behalf of British Airways with the Travel Industry. It was a long project, where we got to know the Thistle Hotels (as was!) in the west of London really well, having used their training facilities for an extended period. More importantly, we also got to know each other very well too and spent many evenings together reflecting on our respective businesses, but most of all, enjoying each other’s company.

Even when the contract eventually came to an end over 25 years ago, and we went our separate ways, forming new working relationships around the UK and further afield, we kept in touch. EVs is extra special as it’s the restaurant that we frequently revisited (together with its sister ‘TAS’ across the road) in spite of us often being much further apart, geographically.

Today’s food and service were just as we remember it – delicious, plentiful and attentive! That left us plenty of time to do what we do best – chat! And chat some more! As expected, the time flew and with timed trains calling some of us, we began to say our goodbyes.

The journey home for us began well with a short walk to Blackfriars and the swift ThamesLink hop to St Pancras. Then it all went horribly wrong! The train was packed, and the AC – guess what? – was broken. Another sweaty journey back to Kettering followed, but it had been well worth it!

Event 14 – Robin, Dorothy and Linda

Where: The Doggett’s, Blackfriars

When: Friday, 28 August

Today’s get-together featured some familiar faces from a pivotal point in my full-time working career – 1987 -1989 – at Sainsbury’s HQ in nearby Stamford House (now demolished!).

The Doggett’s added some extra significance as it was probably the watering hole that we frequented the most during those times (the other location was the nearby Founders Arms, five minutes away). Did we get any work done back then though? You bet!!! but today, it was tempting to just look at the view across the Thames.

Dorothy, Robin and Linda were fellow day-to-day colleagues in my final full-time job before I chose to leave voluntarily to become self-employed. Dorothy was my boss for a significant amount of that time; Robin, worked nearby on skills development (I’d also recruited him in the early 80s as a fellow Training Specialist in Bromley) and Linda, a close working colleague looking after the then, YTS Scheme.

Self-employed? Back then, starting your own business was a bit of a rarity, and I was one of the first, closely followed by Robin and Linda, whilst Dorothy moved on and started a family instead.

These days, starting a business has become much more the norm, but back in the ‘heady’ late 80s/early 90s, it was a huge risk (and it felt like it!). I guess the confidence to strike out on our own was a reflection on how JS made us all feel at the time. We’d all received their gold-standard management training scheme – and in later years went on to be responsible for actually delivering the scheme itself in our various roles. The result? We were VERY well versed in ‘all things’ management. The whole training ethos at the time was (with some hindsight) light years ahead of its time – and although we felt proud to be part of it, we probably didn’t realise just how comprehensive and ‘ahead of the pack’ it was and how much of a boost that would give to our new employment status.

As a result, a few of had the confidence to unleash ourselves on the world. Were we ready? Probably not, but more importantly, was the world ready? ‍

Definitely not!

Today was a real reunion! I hadn’t seen Dorothy and Linda for many, many years, whilst Robin and I had caught up briefly in the intervening years in a work and social capacity whilst we were living in Peterborough.

It didn’t take us long to time-travel back to those ‘golden years’ of food retailing, and we were soon reflecting on the names and the places that formed such a collective positive experience for us all. Although the Pub food was OK, it was a pity about the service. Almost non-existent, and that was so unusual for The Doggett’s. Still, it didn’t prevent us from having a really good time in each other’s company.

As has become the norm for our trips to London, we said our goodbyes just after 3pm, and we headed back to St Pancras from Blackfriars. Another great day celebrating!! .

Note that I haven’t commented on today’s travelling to/from the capital. Well, it’s always good to end these Posts on a positive note! Both travelling TO and back FROM London was absolutely spot on! Plenty of seats / wifi working / AC doing its job too! Well, that was a first for quite a few weeks!

Event 15 – Ian, Sharon and Charlie

Where: The John O’Gaunt Pub, Sutton, Sandy

When: Sunday, 30 August

Today was another catch-up with one of my ex-team from yesteryear! I recruited Ian as my System 25 Training Specialist in 1987 – so he was probably the last person I interviewed in my capacity as Area Training Manager (Eastern) before moving to Head Office later that year. 40 years later, here we were in the quaint village of Sutton (11 miles east of Bedford) meeting Ian again, his wife Sharon, and foster-son Charlie, whilst they were spending a few days’ holiday nearby.

When not on holiday in these parts, they live on the south coast, where, in spite of the miles between us, we’ve managed to keep in touch, on and off, during the intervening years. I was even their official wedding photographer back in August 2003!

The journey there was simplicity itself, requiring a straightforward cruise along the A14 and then into some back roads. We arrived in under an hour, and Ian and family had arrived just before us.

It was a first visit for all of us to the John O’Gaunt, and they did a lot to impress – really quick service, happy, smiley staff and great food! Large portions too! . Ian had pre-briefed our Servers about the occasion, and when the time came, I was therefore served with the obligatory pud-with-a-candle, accompanied by a short rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’! This is becoming a habit! (but an enjoyable one)

Just like all my previous 70-70-70 get-togethers, the time passed in a flash and we could have easily spent the rest of the afternoon chatting about our time working together. And when we weren’t doing that, we were (again!) righting the world’s wrongs!! . It’s a tough life being retired AND celebrating a significant birthday!!!

We said our goodbyes just after 2.15 as we headed off in opposite directions. There was hardly anything on the road (Bank Holiday Sunday!!) as we pointed the car towards home, where we were indoors in under an hour (mainly due to ‘Doris’, our SatNav, taking us on a different route to the journey there!

Event 16 – John P, John M and Kevin P

Where: The Countryman, Daventry

When: Tuesday, 1 September

Today was a get-together for three ex-clients from the same organisation who I worked for over the longest period of time whilst I was self-employed – Volvo! It all began in 1991 and pretty much continued until about 18 months before I retired at the end of 2012. Today’s venue? The Countryman in Staverton – a pub that we all know quite well!

It was good to get together with these guys, and it didn’t take us long to time-travel back to the early 90s and reflect on the challenges and successes of our time working together. It was a very relaxed lunch (thanks for treating me, chaps!) where we had plenty of time to catch up with all our news and where we all are now! With two of us fully retired (and loving it), one returning to work, and one showing no signs of winding down just yet, it was great just to share time with the ex-client who was a big part of my success as ‘Steve Palmer Associates’.

The Pub looked after us well (and they were busy too, for a Tuesday!) and although the Dessert menu was tempting, we all resisted and enjoyed a coffee instead! Today was another great reunion of (ever so) like-minded professionals who, over the years, have become my great friends too!

It was also a pleasure to have a hassle-free journey home – in 45 minutes I was back indoors enjoying a cuppa!

Event 17 – The Neighbours!

Where: Warkton Village Hall

When: Sunday, 6 September

The big one today, if you measure it purely on body count! A total of just under 30 well-wishers turning out for my ‘Slap-up Afternoon Tea’ – mostly neighbours, and nearbys, for my truly ‘local’ event just 10 minutes down the road. In that respect alone, it was very convenient not having to worry about train connections, timetables and taxis! The venue of choice? The rather quaint Warkton Village Hall.

Hats off to Ann and Nicki who worked really hard over past few days (and earlier) getting the mouthwatering range of food ready.

We let M&S sort the sandwiches, but everything else was homemade from scratch! Quiches were plentiful, as was everything else. But wait, there’s more! Nicki even managed to bake me a personalised birthday cake!

With the numbers involved, it was impossible to get a satisfying selfie, but this shot captured the spirit of the event with everyone enjoying themselves! .

Wow! What an afternoon! It was good to have this lot all in one place – we haven’t done this in a while, where the room and the numbers made it feel ‘just right’ creating a cosy get-together rather than a crowded space. My connection with the majority of those here today goes back a long way. It was good to see both Geoff and Paul here, who were a big part of my working life, and with whom the friendship has lasted a mighty 45 years, so far! Carole and Fauve were probably our newest friends – with everyone else, somewhere in between!

I was quite overwhelmed by all the good wishes – and a surprising number of gifts too. I’m going to resist opening any until closer to the actual day.

After cutting my cake, I’d prepared a short speech. Not one of my best performances as I think I was overcome somewhat by the event itself, but it seemed to go down well!

It turned out to be a great afternoon, as we all hoped. The food went down well, the conversations threatened to drown out the music (in a good way!), and before we knew it, it was coming up to 5pm and time to clear up. With Carole, Ann and Nicki abley assisted by many of our guests, we weren’t short of help in the kitchen where, as usual, with these kinds of events, the washing up played a big part! The only difference? It wasn’t me in the sink! – a true celebration!

Actually, we cleared up in record time (where it felt like, with all the gifts and cards – and ’empties’, we left with more than we came with!). By the time we said our last goodbyes and posed for a few final photos, we were ready to leave, and by 6pm, Nicki, Ann and I were back at ours, reflecting a truly memorable event!

Thanks, everyone! Today was very special, and I appreciated you all helping me celebrate my special day! . No rest for the wicked, though – the next get-together is this Tuesday coming, in Croydon.

Event 18 – The Old Croydonians

Where: Fern Restaurant, East Croydon

When: Tuesday, 8 September

A big part of my life in my final years of self-employment and into retirement was having the honour of being the Chair of The Old Croydonians’ Association. This was the voluntary group that managed the ex-pupils of my old school – Selhurst Grammar for Boys and has been going for well over 100 years! I served on their committee for a few years before becoming their Chairman (in October, 2010, eventually stepping down in July 2016). This wasn’t a passive collection of passionates by any means, and the Committee was always very active. These days there’s a reunion EVERY YEAR and regular outings for (ex-naughty) boys and girls to unusual and interesting locations by way of a day out.

Today was another of those events (a visit to Croydon Minster) where, for me, it was less about the location and more about certain people. Step forward, Cortland, Roger and Valerie who were three important committee members during my time! Roger and Valerie were the ‘power behind my throne’ (and beyond) working tirelessly to steer the ship and ensure that the OCA served the ex-pupils, during a challenging period following my departure. Cortland is now Chair of the Association and doing great things with his team on behalf of the Association.

Today, we all met at Fern Restaurant near the iconic East Croydon Station before taking the tram to nearby Croydon Minster as part of our regular OCA cultural days out. See the full Blog HERE.

We’d not eaten at Fern before – and we were all impressed! Swift service and flavoursome food – Perfect! It was busy too, considering it was ‘only’ a Tuesday. It was the style of restaurant that served ‘small plates’ for sharing and there was a good range of food on offer. Whether a meat lover or a penchant for plant-based nourishment, Fern seemed to have it covered and we ate well. Food choices aside, my plan of stealing my three friends away to the Bar, didn’t quite work out, as were dispersed amongst the 25+ ex-pupils who were all part of the forthcoming Tour. So, I decided to ‘get the shot’ later at Croydon Minster, after the Tour.

After a quick journey by Tram (my first!), we were soon at our destination, and a short walk later (in the pouring rain) we were greeted at the Church by our Tour Guide, David Morgan.

The 2pm tour turned out to be a really enjoyable and educational experience (see the separate Blog HERE) and we were glad we’d signed up for it. As always, our tour time passed far too quickly, ending just after 3pm, just as the ‘heavens opened’ outside once more! – so we concentrated on organising the photograph of the four of us.

With the photograph eventually committed to camera, Ann and I said our goodbyes and took the soggy walk to the tram stop that would take us back to East Croydon station. We didn’t have to wait long, and on arrival at East Croydon, we were soon on the train back to Huntingdon. Wow, the train was busy, instantly reminding us of our commuting days! – and NOT in a good way! . We were home by just after 6, reflecting on another really enjoyable OCA event and especially the short pre-celebration with Cortland, Roger and Valerie (even if my original plans hadn’t quite worked out as planned).

The Final Event (No. 19) – The Palmer Lunch:
Neil, Debbie, Alfie and Frankie & Chloe

Where: Carluccio’s, St Pancras, London

When: Sunday, 27 September

Well, here we are! 19 events later!

My 70-70-70 event began with family, and it seemed fitting to end it in the same way. Here we are at Carluccio’s in St Pancras International for the celebration. Today, it’s the gathering of the Palmer Clan, including my brother, Neil, as we officially complete the 70 days of incredible celebrations that began back in July. I can’t quite believe that I’m now officially in my 70s .

Ann and I exercised a little restraint in the volume of food we consumed today – and that probably gave us more time for chatting! And we certainly did plenty of that! . Once we Palmers get nattering, there’s no stopping us (but those that know me, already know that!)

The staff at Carluccio’s looked after us well today, and like so any other of these 70-70-70 gatherings, all that talking meant that time passed in a flash. Ann and I were spared any sight of the bill – and that was a lovely gesture to be treated by the family. By 2:15, we were saying our goodbyes and heading for our respective platforms – Neil, Debbie and Alfie – Bromley; Frankie and Chloe – Victoria, whilst we walked the short distance to grab the next train to Kettering. For us, spending time with the family was the perfect end to the past few months of celebrations!

When we got home, there was the not-so-small matter of opening all my cards and presents. Tough job!!!

Wow! The whole 70-70-70 celebrations have been a thoroughly joyful experience – every one of them – from start to finish. I’ve received some great gifts and more cards than I can count – many containing some very wise and heartfelt words!

The complete
camera roll is HERE

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

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