Surprise!

Special friends, balloons, a candle-lit chocolate cake... all a part of the wonderful birthday surprise I had today. I always feel special on my birthday and today's surprise made me feel extra- special. A big THANK YOU to everyone.

We were joined by some friends...

Nick & Kate

Jo & Pete

Jacqui & Jacques

and some more friends

Keith, Gina & Emily

Emily's turn to blow out the candles

Jacqui & Alexander

A.C.E. Race

Last check before the start

At the start

A.C.E. Race continued...

A pretty scene - soon to be turned into a churned up mud path leaving no participant without mud splattered kit

Teams checking their maps to plan the route to the next check point (note marker tied around tree trunk on the right)

At check point no.6

Short stories

Cycling to Penshurst Castle - a short, but very scenic route. A lovely ride for a lazy Sunday afternoon. We will remember to pack a lunch the next time we go, so that we can enjoy a picnic in the castle grounds before riding home.

Barbequeing with our neighbours downstairs. It's about 8pm on a Saturday evening, notice how light it still is!

Kate, Jo and I celebrate our birthdays this month i.e. 1, 3 & 14 July.

cake + candles = Birthday

Anyone for tennis?

Tennis was in the spotlight last weekend. We experienced it first hand as we spent Sunday at Wimbledon. We watched both finalists, on separate courts, warming up and admired their ability and Nadal's physique (that was probably more me than George!). We watched the junior men's finals at Court 1 and then relaxed on "the hill" outside Centre Court to watch the remainder of the nail-biting men's final. The English weather did not let us down and intermittent showers (see pics) were part of the day. Another essential part of the experience was, of course, eating strawberries and cream...really delicious.

Even if one does not particularly enjoy tennis, just the atmosphere, beautiful venue, well-organised events, friendly uniformed fire brigade staff, live brass band music, watching people sipping champagne, surrounded by their picnic baskets - is worth going to Wimbledon for.

Wimbleton continued...

Federer and Nadal warming up

Court 1: Junior men's finals - Big screen outside Centre Court