A Happy Birthday
Dear Ann,
It had only been four days after Philip & Greg’s arrival when a special day popped its head up, which happened to be Philip’s 61st birthday. We had all been informed prior to their arrival that they did not want presents because they were travelling very lightly.
I had already bought their Christmas gifts, but thought something very practical, that they could use while here, would be the answer for the birthday gift. I solicited Greg’s help the afternoon before the big event when Philip was busy on his computer.
We took off to visit Dan Murphy’s liquor store, which is huge & has masses & masses of different wines, not only from local wineries but from all over the world. We had great fun with our selection as both of us love spending time leisurely in a wine store!.
It took us awhile to meander around all that was on offer, picking up wines that sounded really good & had the most unusual names such as ‘Arrogant Frog, Devils Creek, Dragons Blood,The Old Dog’ & a few more of that nature. By the time we arrived at the checkout I had a nice little stash & we felt very pleased with ourselves.
Somehow I managed to sneak it into the house without attracting too much attention, which is not as easy as it sounds with bottles that rattle! I then had to get one carton wrapped & the other loose bottles into wine bags, which used up my ample supply of bags. At that point I was all ready for the next morning.
Firstly though I had to go for my usual Thursday hair appointment at 10 a.m. as, being a female, I wanted my hair done before any photos were taken. With things taking longer because of Christmas coming on it took me more than usual & by the time I arrived home the boys were starving, as they were going out to brunch.
However, first things first & we sat Philip down at the table while I surrounded him with half a carton of one of his favourite wines here, “Banrock Station’, plus several bottles of wine all in their little jackets, which made him forget that he was hungry!
Philip’s 61st b’day with his haul of wines!
This all proved to be a great gift, as they could have the pleasure of drinking it before they were due to return home & drink it they did with more needed supplies as time passed by!
I was also going out to lunch with my friends, Cheryl & Sandra who also had another friend, Catherine, with them from Port Macquarie a popular town further up north who was staying with Sandra for the whole of December. We had a delightful lunch at a nursery nearby where I succumbed to purchasing a beautiful blue Hydrangea which was very unusual.
Catherine, Dawn, Cheryl, Sandra singing Happy Birthday
This, along with other things brought the three girls inside with me when Cheryl dropped me off in her car. We had been inside for quite a few minutes when we heard Philip & Greg returning from their brunch so we all hid around the corner from where they were entering.
As they stepped into the kitchen we stepped out & sang “Happy Birthday’ with gusto to Philip, which gave him a great surprise & also gave him enjoyment because it was so unexpected. He usually does the singing & he hadn’t expected four lovely young ladies serenading him!!
Benjamas for dinner with family.
Then in the evening David had arranged for all the family to meet at their favourite Thai restaurant in town, ‘Benjamas’ which holds happy memories for him & Lauren & who have a good reputation of having a great cuisine. This was a fitting finale to a joyful day & I guess this is the time to say ‘Many Happy Returns’, not only to Philip but also to more family birthdays where all the family can be together.
Lots & lots of love. Dawn X O X O