Happy 81st birthday, Peter. At my age I don't mind telling people how old I am. Bill gave me a card and commented that he'd remembered. I didn't forget his, as it's the same day, but I didn't give him a card. At his ripe age of 86 I don't think he needs one.
It was a bit of a complicated day but it worked out well. At 10.30am I left the farm and drove to the church to meet the Bococks. The car park was full so I had visions of not finding their car but lo and behold it was the one car with no one parked behind it. John arrived and we drove to the front of the church to pick up Bill and Jenny; Jenny doesn’t like walking. I settled into the back seat and then I was told I was driving. It's always interesting driving with Jenny; she doesn't mind my driving but, out of the corner of my eye I can see her clutching the door handle when we changed lanes on the bypass.
We stopped at Rachel's home and then she took over to drive us to a Bistro in her neighbourhood. We were joined by Yi Yi and Shannon. I always have a fun time with Shannon; she'd just been on a holiday to Manchester, which she said was a lovely city - the Lancashire folk will be happy to hear that. She has the most amazing blue eyes! One of these days I'll have to tell her.
The waitress was very friendly although I got fed up being distracted by the silver ball she had stuck to the middle of her tongue. Without being pushy she jollied us along and we had a good laugh. Bill always goes for the exotic and this time he ordered hot chocolate with cream on top. After ordering our meal he got up and went to the counter to order a dessert which also had cream. I'd ordered the big breakfast; when I saw it I was glad I didn't ask for the small one. It was on a large plate so the food looked a bit lost. I'd asked for sausage and so, in. my mind, I had a picture of a lovely long sausage - it arrived in the form of two very small and skinny patties. The poached eggs were good but the slice of sourdough bread was dollhouse size. The waitress had been told it was mine and Bill's birthday; when she came around to see if anyone wanted dessert I refused and she said, "Go on! It's on the house." I really didn't want one but I ordered a rhubarb crumble thing with cream and shared it with Shannon.
Plans changed and it was decided that Bill and I would go with Yi Yi to visit her mother while the others went to help Jenny choose some new glasses. At the house I went marching into Khin Khin's bedroom and yelled at her to get up. She put on her mardy baby voice and said she didn't want to get up but Yi Yi made her. Once she was in the living room with us she brightened up and we had a good visit. Her mind is bright but she does forget things but at 92 that's OK.
She said she was lonely so Yi Yi said she could easily move into a nursing home and have people fighting to get into her bed, which did happen recently when she was in hospital. Now she wants to go back to Burma. Yi Yi said that was fine but she had to make her own arrangements.
She wanted something to eat so I joined her with a large bowl of Burmese fish soup which had lemon grass, vinegar, cilantro, hard boiled egg, onion and other things in it. It was hearty and spicy. We then had a cup of tea and then the carload arrived so we had to leave.
I drove back and picked up my car but instead of going home I walked along the Sturgeon River for over an hour as I haven't had any exercise all week. It was gratifying to feel my Fitbit vibrating.
Back at the farm I told Jenny I'd cook the vegetables for lunch tomorrow but I won't be here as I'm off to Hubble's Lake to dine with Bea.
As usual I'm spending time replying to all my birthday wishes on Facebook, Messenger and by email. I know I could send a single message but I'm daft enough to want to write to everyone. And so ends my birthday.
