More Birthday celebrations, but don't hold your breath

This may take a while, am very busy at the moment upgrading the Wey Valley Workshop, one of my tri-annual (if such a word exists) jobs. Every time a new term rolls around or is about to there is upgrading to be done. And as usual it takes longer than I think. Also all sorts of mysterious things seem to happen. However I was able finally put some new items in, and also more photographs. I love putting in animated clip art and am afraid that it may be a bit over the top at times.However this post is about the continued birthday celebrations. John had told me we would go off somewhere the next weekend after my birthday, and that the Jellies had to go into kennels again. I was quite unhappy about this until I realised that Nellie just loved the place and everyone there. Jed, as his usual laid back person probably took it in his stride. I was also told that I couldn't take an overnight bag, everything had to go into my handbag. I am getting ever so good at minimalist luggage. Off we went by train to London first class at that; and then a taxi from Waterloo. By this time I had some suspicions, thinking that perhaps Fred would be there. We arrived at Rules one of our favourite restaurants. Were taken upstairs to a private room with on the door.And when the door opened there were about 13 people all singing happily SURPRISE: my sister Maryse and David, Paul and Shaun, unfortunately Caitlin and Fiona were unable to come as Caitlin was going off on her boat trip, Fred was there as I had thought grinning all over his face, you know what he is like. Friends like the Lucks, Mary Mac. Sally and Eric; even John's son Philip whom I was very pleased to see. And of course Michael was away working, and sadly Rita was still feeling unwell. but we all had lots of this to drink and a wonderful meal. There were speeches laughter and lots of talk and the afternoon slipped away. Before I could it all in it was all over, but not before we were given a a tour of Rules; and we were told that the room we were in was where Edward VII used to entertain Lily Langtry and others. It had the advantage that he could enter through a secret entrance without having to go through the main dining rooms. Quite useful that I should think. Here is a rogues? gallery:

All my good friends and family where there what a celebration.

After that John took me to my favourite hotel The Goring, the one with almost life size sheep, there was one in our room plus a bottle of champagne on ice which we really couldn't face that evening. So we had it next day for lunch but before and after a lovely breakfast, not too heavy there was roast beef on the menu we went for a walk in St. James Park, in walking distance from the hotel. It was a lovely day and there were hundreds of people about mainly Japanese I think, they were all awaiting the changing of the guard and we watched the guards marching in their splendid uniforms. After a wonderful lunch which was lubricated with the champagne and ended with a birthday candle on my dessert we caught the train back to Godalming, dashed home to change in our walking and dog proof clothes went to collect the Jellies from their 'holiday home'

They of course were overjoyed to see us and to go for a walk even though it was after 4 pm.

What a wonderful celebration John gave me the 'sweetie'. And as a surprise this was awaiting on the patio. What a a weekend.