A Birthday Treat

This was not actually a birthday treat for me, although it was indeed a treat, but actually for my mum’s birthday - I believe it must have been her 31st birthday, if I am correct. The original plan had it that I was far too busy to leave my work or leave Cambridge, and therefore they would come to me on the Sunday before my mum’s birthday (which was the Monday), take me out for a slap up meal and then journey home on her birthday morning. This plan subsequently changed when I realised that life is too short to be chained to a desk, and if I denied myself the right to go I would just pine for the whole day, rendering me entirely useless to anyone anyhow. So when the morning arose I journeyed home with them.

When they came to Cambridge they had stayed in a new hotel - the Tamburlaine - a fancy name that I have never quite determined the origins of. The trend of trying ‘new things’ and ‘new places’ continued as we departed from our usual safe lunch bet of “The Senate” to head to “D’Arrys”, which we decided was owned by a cockney bloke who thought it’d proper sound well posh if he frenchified his name. From this novelty we moved on to the novelty of The Old Bicycle Shop for dinner. This was very quirky, sort of edgy, but ultimately very very tasty. I think Bobzy had no idea what he was eating most of the time, but very much enjoyed it. The waiter particularly enjoyed our recurring joke of ‘there’s a hole in that bottle I’m sure of it!”.

The day was ultimately lovely - the joy of it was not even quelled by the sub-zero, bone-numbing temperatures of my walk back home. But there was a mild thread of hilarity running throughout the day that requires a mention. My dad, heretofore referred to as Bobzy, is a very busy man. He tries very hard and is very often caring and thoughtful. But this year the purchasing of a cake, wrapping paper and a few extra presents had eluded him. Not to mention the card from the dog (a family tradition) that never materialised. Needless to say I was there to help pick up the slack, and with a combined effort we managed to pull it all together at the last minute. But nothing escapes mum, including the surreptitious exchange of an M&S carrier bag and some notes that was supposedly taking place without her knowledge. Luckily she was forgiving.

To top off an absolutely delightful day I then had the pleasure of a rather sobering 8:30am walk to the hotel after a heavy night of red-wine drinking to join mum and dad for breakfast (I must point out the heavy red-wine drinking was entirely their doing). We had some fancy ‘squash ’n’ eggs, a novel breakfast choice, togged up for the cold and strode back to the car. My birthday treat was of course getting to spend mum’s birthday with her - I did also purchase a material present, but time is far more precious, no? I can always return the toiletries. I did also have the pleasure of Percy though, which of course did not disappoint.

The day was spent with more joy, eating and drinking. A funky new coffee shop (I know, even more novelty, can you believe it?), a slice of birthday cake and a quick sing-song with the fam, and then an evening meal in our family favourite local: The Three Oaks. We were thoroughly spoilt, all of us, which hardly seems fair considering it was only my mum’s birthday, but I think she rather enjoys spoiling everyone. Thankfully I have found another excuse to let myself be spoiled with food, drink, and the best company for Mother’s Day, when I will once again make the arduous journey home (woe is me, an hour and 45 mins on a train), but it will all be worth it. For Mum, Dad, Alice. And Percy.