Decades of birthdays

[shewhomust]

I don't remember my tenth birthday, nor my 20th either. Of course, the big deal was not 20, but 21, and I posted about my 21st not long ago.

The thing about having an April birthday is that Easter dances about, and sometimes you benefit, and sometimes you don't. My 30th fell on Good Friday, which is memorable only for the devout Catholic friend who declined to join us for dinner. But my mother took us to a restaurant, and I ate my first lobster.

My 40th was a working day, and durham_rambler picked me up from work and took me to lunch at 21 Queen Street - my one and only visit to what was then Newcastle's best restaurant. I didn't go back to work after lunch. Thet was the Wednesday, but it was bracketed by a party at home on the preceding Saturday, and a party organised by my mother and the Bears in London on the following Saturday.

We celebrated my 50th with dinner at the Creel; we booked houses in Stromness to accommodate as many guests as were prepared to travel to join us.

My 60th was a smaller affair: durham_rambler and I went to Antrim for a week, to visit the Giant's Causeway. By that time I was keeping this diary, but I barely seem to have posted about it. Which is odd, because I have a clear memory of returning to the cottage after a day walking, taking a hot bath and then sitting down and writing. But the only record I have of that day is a handwritten note in my little book "the Causeway Coast in 106 pictures." The previous day is another matter, and I've been having a lovely time sorting the photos of that, so that may be a post quite soon.

So what would I do for my 70th? Something, surely. Even last year, newly locked down, I was philosophical: I could wait, this would be the special birthday when I would celebrate... So much for that! And the sun shone (more or less) and we went out, and walked along the front at Roker, and ate langoustines and chips sitting outside, and it's all good.

And I can smell the potato wedges in the oven: time to have a look at those, and to open that bottle of Uruguayan marselan...

Comments

[athenais]

Happy birthday. I have mostly had quiet "round number" birthdays, but I like to travel somewhere for them. Thus far I've gone to Colonial Williamsburg for the 40th, Stockholm for the 50th and Helsinki for the 60th where I gave a grand party with my birthday twin Lena. All fun, especially celebrating with friends. I am in favor of doing something special for them. But sometimes you just have to go with langoustines and chips in the fresh air. Quite a nice choice!

[shewhomust]

Yours all sound like the sort of celebrations I would enjoy!

[cmcmck]

I miss the Creel!

My birthday's on the 8th of next month and can't see much happening to enliven it for the second year running. :o(

However, hippo birdie two ewes! :o)

[shewhomust]

I miss the Creel!

Me too! Though right now I'd settle for scallops and chips in the Murray Arms opposite!

I hope you will find something pleasant to do for your birthday - and thanks for the coded greeting!

[sartorias]

I've got seventy coming up in a month. No plans, same reason.

[shewhomust]

But I hope you will find some way to mark the occasion...

[nineweaving]

Happy birthday! You can have the party any time this year. At least that's how it works with me and my birthday twin.

Meanwhile, langoustines and chips, and a pleasant seafront are just fine.

Nine

[shewhomust]

I'm not sure I remember how to party - an outing to the seaside will do just fine!

[anef]

Sun, sea and langoustines and chips sound lovely.

[shewhomust]

It was entirely lovely. And since Roker is the first bit of seaside I remember visiting - staying with my grandmother as a very small child - appropriate, too!

[klwilliams]

Happy birthday. It sounds like a good one.

[shewhomust]

Thank you! It was one of many good ones (There was one we spent in Santa Cruz ...).