Great Hallingbury Manor - 85th Birthday Treats

My 85 Birthday thoughts

OMG where have the years disappeared?!! I cannot believe that I am 85 but I am and thank God I am able to still enjoy life. I am a lucky person; a very lucky person. I am sort of mobile, with restrictions, but I have the capacity to thoroughly enjoy everything around me, especially my family. I see many younger than I yet worse off, both physically and mentally.

The best thing in my life is that I am surrounded by love; love of my children and grandchildren and one little great grandchild and from extended members of family and tons of friends.

Often, I am asked about the secret for my youthful looks. I really can't explain as I don't know. I think it is just a gift or a state of mind. Perhaps I just don't think 'old'. I don't associate the word with me even though I know that in actual years I am old. Perhaps my family keep me young looking but well and truly grounded! Anyway - who knows and who cares about looks? I am just grateful to be me the way I am and most grateful that my brain still works as do my reflexes!!

My birthday started a week before the actual date. My two beautiful nieces took me to lunch at a very exclusive restaurant in Essex called Great Hallingbury Manor, Lakeside Restaurant. It was hard to choose the place my nieces thought good enough. There were many rejections until between C, B and me on the internet, we finally found what seemed good enough for their Aunt's luncheon! It was exclusive, expensive and exceptionally wonderful. B at last was satisfied. I felt like and was treated like a queen!

The food was to die for. We were waited on like celebrities by the chef and two waiters. Nothing was too much trouble. I was presented with gifts and just about anything I wanted was there for me. One of my nieces is a gift from abroad; a birthday present by just being there. The other is like a ministering angel and spoiled me with expensive and thoughtful gifts. I love them both dearly. They are constantly in touch with me as is my niece in New Zealand and others from elsewhere.

On the 28 November my daughter and son-in-law from Houston, who I will in future refer to as 'the royals' arrived for yet more celebrations as it was royal HIS' birthday. We had a party in D & J's house which was just what everyone wanted and enjoyed. It went on for many hours. Then it continued at a friend's home, but I did not go as it was a bit late for some. However, I did wait up till midnight till the royals arrived to stay with me for a couple of nights.

The next day, my birthday, T, I and D were taken out to lunch by my darling 'royals'; drank Champagne in the evening and had a few friends over.

I received lots of presents and cards from family - all gratefully appreciated. One big surprise was a Kindle Reader from my very special cousin. So amazingly generous of him. He does not like me to say thanks too much - so just for the record, he has many thanks and my love. He won't read this!

Well another year gone to enjoy my children, their children and my little great-grandchild and all my loving and devoted friends over the world and in UK.

Thank you everyone and thank you God!

All about me!

I cannot believe how long it's been since I wrote anything in my Diary!
I received a commnet yesterday on one of my posts and I suddenly remembered that I have this blog and should write my thoughts because that's what this diary is all about.

Since last writing I have obtained two degrees, a BA Open and a BA Honours in Literature. So I have accomplished something.

I am trying to learn French but find it difficult and sometimes quite tedious! I prefer Enlish Literature! Oh well, I think I will keep trying with French.

My joy of travelling around the world has been curtailed because no insurance company will cover me because of my age (84) and ailment of angina. I still love to travel - be it by air, train, sea, bus or by car. I love to be on the move. I think I love the travel almost as much as getting 'there'. My travel space is now restricted to Europe and UK.

Enough of me... I want to post something about someone I admire so please read on

I have this hankering to go now with Science. I want to learn technology which seems such a switch at the age of 84, but I have an insatiable desire to acquire knowledge in many forms. My mind is hungry to learn. I have this aspiration to be a writer, but that too has been put on the shelf. I really must get on with these tasks that I have set myself.