Day 58: Thursday 15 May - Phil's 40th Birthday, by Ken

The day started with a cup of tea with Phil while he opened our present and showed us the presents he had received from Kerry and the girls.

After breakfast Jane and I went into Solihull so she could buy a replacement watch –the strap on hers was faulty and she was struggling to read the time – a somewhat less than ideal feature of a watch.

At Phil’s suggestion we walked up to Knowle High Street to a bakery for a light lunch. Jane and I opted for a caramalised onion and goats cheese toasty and a cup of coffee. After lunch Phil and I walked back leaving Jane to get her hair done and generally made beautiful for the evening’s celebration of Phil’s birthday.

Phil had invited us to dinner at The Boot, a country pub in Lapworth. We had eaten there on a previous trip and the food was very good.  The party consisted of Jane and me, Phil, Kerry, Amelia and Martha, Kerry’s brother Stuart, John, Ruth and Olivia and Stella and Frank. It was a really good evening and we ate and drank well. I chose a steak while Jane had lamb.

Pre-Dinner Drinks - Clockwise From 12 0'clock: Stella, Jane, Frank, John and Phil

Amelia, Martha and Olivia

Birthday Boy and Kerry

Ruth and Stuart

Father and Son (Not Sure What Phil Is Snarling At)

Amelia and Olivia In Dresses Made By Stella

Frank and Stella

Martha (Who Can Be Boisterous At Times)

Birthday Cake Made By Stella

Blowing Out The Candles (Stuart and John Looking On From End Of Table)

Back at Phil and Kerry’s house, Phil, Jane, Stuart and I polished off a bottle of Monkey Shoulder (a blended malt whisky) I had bought for the occasion.