Birthday Week
Football at 50 - Knacker's Yard at 51
20 July 2005
Plans for my 51st birthday were curtailed a little following the death of my gran: Rose, on the 11th July. I know that Johnny had hoped to have done something in the way of a party but following on from Simon's Graduation which had been a long weekend for us, and faced with the prospect of a long two days trip back to England sometime, I decided that I just wanted something reasonably quiet.
As Manu and his family were going to be at the seaside that week, I had already made provisional plans to have them over on my birthday - if the funeral arrangements for my gran allowed.
As things turned out the funeral was organised for the Friday so we were able to have a get together on the Wednesday evening.
Manu's map reading doesn't seem to be the best and despite clear instructions had difficulties finding the N1 which runs parallel to the coast. This is quite a feat in getting lost because the moment you head inland you have to cross it one point or another. But they got here eventually.
In anticipation of having the two wee cutties here I bought a light football the day before and JJ and I had a bit of a kick about in the evening. I think he must have kicked me somewhere along the way as well.
Wednesday morning I was hobbling a bit on the right knee, much to the mirth of all others. Must be getting old I was told.
We had a good evening and I got lots of presents, which was nice, including a photo of Johnny, JJ and myself, which we had taken the night before and they had got framed. They also gave me two of the Harry Potter books (in French) to read which will go alongside the Discworld Science book from Sandra and Peter, whilst I drink the bottle of Cognac from Manu and his family.
Yasmine and Ayla were allowed up into Johnny's room and to touch his collection of motor cars - didn't it used to be stamp collections or the like that were used to entice young females.
The following morning I had a very sore knee and by the evening it looked as if it would be touch and go as to whether or not I would be able to drive or not in the morning. As it was I let Johnny drive to Calais and I finished off the trip to Slough.
The photos from gran's funeral can be found on her own page.
We now know that the reason I was in such pain with the leg was that I appear to have done something to all the tendons at the back of the knee. Thus it probably wasn't a good idea for me to struggle on and take the boys over to walk round Windsor Castle on the Saturday morning before coming back to Slough for lunch with the folks and a fleeting visit by Alistair.
In the evening we set off for Anton's but I found that I couldn't drive and had to let Johnny take over the wheel. He did a good job with a bit of aid. He doesn't have much experience with heavy traffic and driving on the left takes perhaps more concentration than he he is used to giving.
After a lot of nagging from everyone, I hope we have finally got him checking over his shoulder for the blind spot when he overtakes.
At 02:30 hours we finally arrived home, it had been a long two days.
See also