Birthday Bonanzas

Yesterday heralded my mum’s Birthday (by some biological miracle she only turned 27 - amazing, I know?!). The morning brought with it an impromptu trip to Marlow for brunch and soaking up the sun on the river front. We ended up frequenting the same brunch location where I had taken Rupert but 2 days before (so considering I hadn’t visited Marlow for some 6 years, twice in 3 days might feel a bit like overkill). My mother partook of the Shakshuka, my father was a Salmon Hotpot (an odd pet name if you ask me, but there you go), and I consumed Huevos Rancheros, with jalapenos, chilli flakes and all thinks spicy. Yum!

After we lined our stomachs we wandered the sun-saturated pavements, even dipped our toes in some unmistakably Marlow charity shops (Tommy Hilfiger jackets, darling!) and stopped for a quick tipple before the journey home. A celebratory morning was had by all, and the celebrations continued. After a quick bout of present opening, the relatives arrived and brought with them a somewhat half-hearted rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’, but at least a rousing cry for ‘CAKE’! Upon their departure it was time to prepare for a dinner in one of our favourite locals restaurants - The Three Oaks.

Jamie was demoted to the back of the taxi, where Alice, Mum and I took the row in front, with Bobzy sitting in the prime viewing spot next to our tight-lipped taxi driver. The dinner at the three oaks didn’t start without some controversy, as we’d been sat somewhere other than my mother’s favourite table. Uh-oh. On top of this our substandard table for 5 had been laid out as a table for 6 but with one couple minus their other half. Alas, I took one for the team and sat as billy no-mates on the end, staring lovingly into the empty space. Woe is me. Thankfully the food was delicious, but even more so the wine was delectable, and a thoroughly well-fed and watered evening was had by all.

But this wasn’t just a birthday bonanza of one day, oh no, as it seems something was in the air 9 months ago (‘May’be it’s something about Spring having sprung?), as another 3 birthdays are already in sight! I have Thiviya’s birthday on 2nd March and Chen’s on 8th, not forgetting Barney’s own personal Birthday Bonanza on and around 3rd March! Barney’s Birthday weekend sounds like both an exhausting and exhilarating affair. A Friday night playing ping pong and partaking of prosecco, followed by a Saturday of afternoon tea decadence, jazz bar blues, crazy golf & cocktails, and salsa. Then, if and when we’ve recovered from that, a family lunch followed by a surrogate family dinner. I better head to bed now if I’m to catch up on all the sleep I’ll be missing out on.

So there you have it, straight from the horse’s mouth or out of the bag, or something…this week is officially a birthday bonanza week, full of food, fun and celebration. Cheers!