And so, another year passes...

Last night, I had a message from my supervisor at work, informing me that the 8-hour shift I was due to work today has been cancelled, as the service user is unwell and doesn't need our support this week - but as the notice is so short, I can still include the hours on my timesheet!

As it happens, this happy incident coincides with my birthday! But I'm not one of those people who seems to think he has somekind of divine right to not work on his birthday - to me, that seems really self-centred.

Nor do I bother much with parties - though I've had my share over the years; and in fact, one of the most memorable occured a whole 40 years ago! My mother has numerous, faded old black and white photographs of that event - attended by numerous, long-dead family members, as well as others who have changed almost beyond recognition in the intervening years; and yet, I can remember it almost as it it were yesterday!

I spent my 21st in Ravenglass, Cumbria, with my then partner and another couple we were friendly with, one of whom shared my birthday - as the guest of a somewhat eccentric friend of theirs, who cooked an enormous banquet including courses I'd never had before, such as fish and sorbet - in addition to mains and pudding! The latter was an enormous, extremely boozy pavlova - goodness knows how long he'd soaked the pineapples and raspberries in vodka!

My one and only surprise party was in 1992, for my 28th. I thought I was just going to stay with a friend who lived in a big country house in the Wye valley in South Wales for a couple of days of walking, when he picked me up and took me over there as arranged - but of course, unbeknown to me, he'd invited lots of other people too - who had all made their own ways there...!

And for my 40th I had a meal in Gosport - which to be honest, was a bit disapppointing as I had to organise it myself, and the menu turned out to be a lot fancier - and more expensive - that I'd been given the impression it'd be at the planning stage!

Today should be safe - if only because not very many people in Edinburgh know it's my birthday! Thanks to friends down south who have sent me greetings - ten cards, two emails and a text message so far - you know who you are; and I consider myself fortunate indeed to be remembered so fondly by you. Amen!

Whew!

Yesterday I had a whopper of a headache, and so remained in bed for much of the day. Despite this, I managed to sleep quite well overnight, and today I have no headache. Alleluia!