So it isn't just me who has a big birthday this year, Mum does as well - the big 80! I think she was in part denial, she didn't want to do anything for it, but I didn't want it to go unmarked, and as we all tend to be away on holiday on her actual birthday, I thought we should arrange something earlier in the summer. As usual, I put the call out for everyone to help with finding somewhere, but no-one did and it was down to me. It wasn't easy, I was super busy in November / December so had to leave it until January - but there wasn't much out there to take 9 people for under £1,000 but after a lot of research I found a couple and left it to the others to decide...they decided on one in Shropshire - great for us as we didn't have to travel too far!
We couldn't arrive until 3pm, but we packed up early and hit the road deciding to take it easy, have lunch en route and maybe a little walk before we turned up. We found a pub in Chirk for lunch which was very reasonably priced and then we headed to the aqueduct for a little walk along the canal. It was very picturesque and just nice to be out in the countryside taking it easy.
Around 3pm we headed towards the house, we got there to find everyone already moved in - they must have arrived dead on 3pm. I found it all quite disorientating arriving, and finding everything already full so nowhere to put our food, everyone had already taken their bedrooms and were settled in - we only arrived at 3.15! Oh hum.
I had organised what food we were going to have each day, so people knew what to bring, as well as activities for each day. I don't find this easy - food wise everyone has different tastes and preferences - for lunches: do we have picnics or do we eat out, if we have a bbq what do people think is 'normal' bbq food, if we have shared meals - what do people like, what don't they? And activities - what do we do, how to keep everyone happy? It is a mine field and I know if I get it wrong I'll be moaned at. Plus finding the time to do all the research, come up with ideas etc etc isn't easy. As it turned out we over catered and doubled up on quite a bit of the food, but better that than not having enough. I just wish that the others would have input rather than it all being on me! Right rant over - over to the break.
Everyone was happy to see each other, we lost Tom immediately to Jake which was good and the sun was out so we could have drinks outside on the patio. They boys were straight to playing football in the garden. Our hosts who live next door made themselves known to us and introduced us to two doggies - Amber was overjoyed. She LOVES doggies. They said that we could take them for a walk if we wished - she was up for it big time.
I had suggested curry night for tonight. I had made a lamb curry, Simon was bringing their version of curry, I made rice, they did naan and we all tucked in. It seemed to go well, plenty got eaten, there was plenty of chat. We then all headed out for a walk into the sunset with the doggies. Mum stayed behind to rest - I think she was a little overwhelmed with the noise and bustle of 9 people being together - understandable - they are used to just the two of them rattling quietly around their big house. We got back and sat round with a couple of drinks before we all headed to bed.
In the morning it was bacon and eggs all round, cooked by Simon and then we headed out to Chirk. First stop was the aqueduct that we walked across yesterday - it was a nice flat walk, so we knew Mum would be ok. Clare was a little nervous of the aqueduct and wouldn't allow anyone to lean on the railings, but that was fine. We walked along to the bridge and back again.
We then headed to Chirk Castle which is a National Trust property. We were all hungry so headed straight to the cafe and were lucky to find a huge round table to house us all. The food was pretty good and gave us enough energy to have a look around the castle, found the dungeons, the boys dressed up as knights etc.
We then headed out into the gardens for a good snoop until rain set in and sent us back to look in the formal rooms of the castle which were ok, as usual there were loads of paintings of regal people - we realised there was a soft toy in every room so that kept the kids interested and in the last room we were allowed to sit on the sofas which I thought was almost unheard of. There was also a film of a lady who grew up in the castle and described how it was - loads of games of hide and seek, sliding in the long room etc etc - sounded fun. We came out to more rain, so decided to call it a day and head back to the house. We were supposed to have a BBQ in the evening, but the forecast was for rain all evening, so we went down to the pub to see if they would change my reservation from tomorrow to today - it wasn't a problem - phew!
Before we headed to the pub we had Mum's birthday celebration. I had bought helium balloons as I figured Mum had never had them before and would like them, I had also made a cake - of course and we had got her a present which would be fun for her to open. We gathered in the lounge, had prosecco and bucks fizz and did the opening. We got her a hedgehog house - complete with food dishes and food (kitten biscuits which are recommended by vets as the best food for them). I got her to open the kitten biscuits first and got a great reaction - she (and Dad) thought for a moment that we had got them a cat - not helped by Tom making miaowing sounds - lol! Simon and family got them a treasure hunt in Exeter with a voucher for a meal out half way round.
We then went to the pub, it was ok - not brilliant, but good enough and the main thing was that we could all drink and eat and not worry about driving. Matt wasn't feeling himself, he said he was bloated and very tired. He only had one course, whilst pretty much everyone else had either 2 course or 3 courses, he even held back on the beer - so it must have been bad.
When we got back to the house, Matt went straight to bed, whilst the rest of us gathered in the lounge to do birthday cake. We put some candles in it (that always pains me) and sang happy birthday. Dad then cut into it and everyone was allowed one piece before it got squirrelled away!
Thursday - we had just bacon or cereal for breakfast and then headed to Pontcysyllte aqueduct - the tallest aqueduct in the world. We parked nearby and walked across it to a marina and visitor centre. Most went down to the bottom to appreciate how tall it was, I stayed at the top with Mum and Dad, enjoying their company.
We then split into two groups Matt and Tom decided to walk along the canal to Llangollen whilst the rest of us headed over by road. We parked at one end of the town and then walked in via the canal route. We found some benches by the canal which was good as we had a picnic today. By the time we had finished Matt and Tom turned up - great timing. We had found a town trail and Jake took it upon himself to be guide, so we all trooped around being lead by him. We found a Bearded Man Adventure shop - Dad went into it and started chatting - they tried to sell him some adventure activities - so funny, can't quite imagine him on a paddle board, or ghyll scrambling!
We did a loop of the town and then headed up to Plas Newydd a beautiful black, white and stained glass house set in acres of grounds. A very pleasant place to spend some time. We then headed back into the town, split up to do our own things and then headed back to the house for our bbq.
Simon was BBQ cook, I did a salad and Clare did other bits and pieces. I introduced everyone to Aperol Spritz - think it went down ok and it was (just) warm enough to sit outside and enjoy it.
The BBQ was delicious and expertly cooked by Simon - a very good job. We then had to pack up ready for tomorrow as we had to be off early. Everyone except me, Mum and Dad headed went for another walk with the doggies and once they were back, some more packing up and bed.
Friday - we got up early and headed out first. Tom had a 10am appointment at Manchester Airport to go plane spotting with Seb for the day. Tom's idea of heaven as in the last year he has got more and more interested (and nerdy) about planes.
It was sad to say goodbye to everyone, especially Mum and Dad. They said that they won't be coming to visit us anymore as it is too far, which I completely understand. They are also nervous about having guests in their house too because of all the extra work. I also understand that, we need to sort something out with them where both they and we are happy. I'm sure we can get a system in place where we visit them without too much stress on them, we are quite looking forward to visiting them again in Crapstone, it has been quite a few years and it is a lovely place - I know Matt has missed his visits - he enjoys the location as well as the welcome.
I hope Mum enjoyed the get together and it didn't stress her out too much. It was a busy few days, but lovely and everyone more or less got on with each other. Plus the area was beautiful and the doggies next door a great bonus. I can't quite believe how far Mum walked - she might think she doesn't have much stamina - but she really does and she should be proud of herself for keeping up. Once again Tom and Jake got on really well - it has been over a year since they last saw each other but it doesn't seem to matter, they seem to naturally get on. Amber was much easier than last time we saw her as well, she even smiled from time to time and helped out with out too much persuasion.
It is good to all get together from time to time, shame we all live so far from each other that it becomes such a big mission to all meet up, however, we are all stubbornly attached to where we live, so it will never change. At least it happened and we had fun.
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