I do have quite a lot of birthday treats to tell you about, which is a good thing as I kind of owe my readers some entertainment after such a long absence...for which I apologise...once again! I will however, feed you my birthday celebrations in installments - hence discovering yet another benefit of such a concept...it will give me plenty of things to fill my blog up with when the actual crafty aspects of my 'crafty world' are a bit thin on the ground..he he!
So here we are, episode one begins with last Tuesday and my visit to the Ideal Home Exhibition and as it was brothers birthday on this day, I thought it would be appropriate to start my birthday season on this day too.
To explain why I had even contemplated attending such an event in my current state of health, the reason I simply had to go was that my youngest son Tom was to have his garden showing at the exhibition. He attends a horticultual college in the town and he and a group of his fellow students had been chosen to present a garden at the show...such a huge honour and one that we were oh so proud of. Knowing that I wouldnt exactly be up to trudging round looking at the usual offerings - mop demonstrations, being accosted my the various salespersons for ventian blinds, jacuzzis or indeed 'do I wish to adopt blind dog'...and I dont mean a seeing-eye dog as the Americans so fondly put it, I mean a dog that is actually blind (but thats all by the by).....my plan was to instruct Tom to ensure that he had a comfy deckchair placed in his garden and I would take root there for the day like the Queen of Sheba being a very proud Mummy!
I persuaded my brother and his wife that they simply had to go to the show...therefore bagging myself a lift there and back, and all was well until Toms ruddy college decided to call the whole thing off...the swines! Evidently it suddenly occurred to them that they couldnt afford to let staff be absent from the college to go along and supervise the students at the show....WHAT! This was about two weeks before the show was due to begin, and after Tom and his friends had spent many hours designing their garden (which was very beautiful if I say so myself!), getting it started...and in the process missing a significant number of 'proper' lessons and therefore falling behind with their normal work. He was fuming, I was fuming for him...but hey what can you do. The tickets had been bought and my transport arranged so i decided I would still attempt this mad day out, and on arrival would seek out the comfiest bed display to head to should it be needed as the day progressed.
However, the day threw up a huge treat as by chance we were passing the Rovers Return (as you do) when we accosted my a nice young man who asked if we would like to take part in a pub quiz a bit later on, and not just any old pub quiz, but one officiated by none other than the Pub Landlord himself - Al Murray! 'Would we?' - you bet we would, oh and it was such fun! He was wonderful guy, we had lots of laughs and when the official business of the quiz was over (it was being filmed for something or other)...Al was so generous with his time and most patient with us taking photos and giving me his autograph....free I might add, as opposed to John Virgo - you may or may not remember him from the snookering world and that scintillating (not) programme 'The Big Break' from many many moons ago who was charging TEN QUID no less for his autograph! Here are a few snaps from our fun time at the Rovers Return and with big Al:
...and you will spot Keith here as he takes part in a crisp eat-off...and won!
...and Anne & Sue, just going for a quick tipple in the Rovers...
Now that is just a taster of our day...I have more to share, not least all of my gorgeous purchases of course - as yet to be photographed.....SO many things to be photo'd this week, and you will be delighted to learn that quite a lot of it WILL be stash glorious stash YAY! But I want to make sure I get this posted on my birthday....one minute to go yikes!
Episode two of my birthday season to follow shortly....
I hope you are all well - sending hugs and sparkles all round!
Sue x
