With a bit of luck and a following wind, a chap can
reach his sixtieth year. That was my fortune in 2004, June 9th to be
precise. Quite a few surprises were to come my way that week. Once
again, pictures tell the story.
On the actual day: June ninth, the first surprise was
when a fire engine reversed up our (steep and tricky) drive. Some of our
friends leapt out wearing helmets. I was confused, to say the least. It was
a de-commissioned unit and it took us all out to a local restaurant for my
surprise meal. Nice one Peter Knapp for organising it all.
Then on Saturday following...
My family had organised a surprise party
at the local village hall where I had the pleasure of sharing an evening
with many friends both local and distant.
Where did I get that tie? Well, it was (is) a
splendidly tacky battery operated flashing job.
Me, Jean and Suzi at the Top table....
...and everybody else, below the salt!!
Keith and Sue Edwards enjoying (or
tolerating) my 'inpromptu' speech.
Jean with a few carefully chosen words
about her husband. Sadly, I can't remember what they were.
Jean guides my cake cutting hand. Twas a very good
cake...
Oh dear, the wine seems to have taken over here. I
look as though I was proposing to Ros. (a married lady)
Suzi brings on the cake
....which detailed some of my
hobbies....
...and my little cycle ride of two years previous.
There were also intimations of my other pastimes in
little cameo pictures around the cake.
A few weeks later, there was more
celebration in the form of a trial flying lesson kindly bought for me by
some of my friends and colleagues at the BBC in Cardiff. They came
along to witness my first departure from earth in a small plane. Click on
Flying Tonight for more details.
In November 2004; twas the trip of a lifetime to far away
Chile. Now that really was special and
worth waiting 60 years for!
