A few years ago we didn't think he'd make it this far, I don't think he wanted to but since late last year he's been a lot cheerier and a lot more well.
apparently he did not think a party was a good idea, but my family tend to ignore things like that so he got one anyway. 21 of us went for dinner in The Tannochbrae Tearoom. http://www.tannochbrae.com/index.html My Mum had booked for 20 people and when there was 21 of us Neal, the proprietor of the tearoom and inventor of the spon remarked that this was the first time that more people had turned up than booked for in the whole 16 years that he has owned the establishment.
It was also, apparently, the first time any of my uncle's family have been in the tearoom which is odd as my aunty worked next door and my cousin used to throw things at the windows and they all used to live next door to Neal and this meant that I had to order the soft drinks because they couldn't do it themselves.
The food was delicious as always, at least everyone said so. I was enjoying my chickpea, spinach creamy, cheesy bake until it was looked over with some derision by my Grampa's cousin. She felt bad for me that I had to eat it and was not entirely convinced by my explanation that I would definitely rather eat that than meaty things.
The potatoes were amazing, my two (friendly) male cousins, my mum's cousin and myself were horrified when we saw that the serving (you help yourself to potatoes and veg from a large dish) near the birthday boy was left almost untouched and got stuck straight in with our forks. Martin's plate and cutlery were cleared away before we were done but luckily he still had a fork left from his starter cutlery and was able to continue. yum yum. It appears that my potato obsession may be genetic.
I really enjoyed looking at the old photos of my Grampa that Mum had made into place mats. Even if, as Paul pointed out from one of his merchant navy photos that we were related to the one that someone else 'brought along' - everyone else being smartly dressed in hats and uniforms and our relative on the end with no had but a glass of something in his hand, big ears and huge grin.
Paul was staying with Mum and I and spotted the Lord of The Rings board game sitting out from Friday nights failed attempt(s) by Emma, Jamie and I to save the world from the Dark Lord Sauron. Paul mentioned that he has the game but doesn't know anyone geeky enough to play with him from his friends of close family. The Rowley's being the geeky sort dutifully obliged and failed again to save the world.
You have been warned, The Dark Lord is now gathering strength. The time of men is nearly over.
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