11 October 2020

67

It was my birthday on Thursday. In fact, now that I come to think about it I was born on a Thursday. "Thursday's child has far to go" replaced the earlier "Thursday's child is sour and sad". Take your pick. I have never been a big fan of birthdays - well not my own anyway. In all those long years of working in education I never told any of my colleagues when my birthday was and as it happens, nobody ever asked. That suited me fine. No fuss.

On Thursday morning I had a slap up full English breakfast at "The Norfolk Arms" and then in the evening with Shirley, Frances and Stewart we had dinner in a Sicilian restaurant at nearby Hunter's Bar. We had not been there before but we all agreed that the food was excellent.  It's funny dining out in these COVID-19 times though. Everything stripped down, social distancing and the waitress wearing a mask. It's not good for the general ambience.

The following pictures show you most of what I received for my birthday. All that is missing is a few more cards.
The "Happy Beers Day" card was from Meike In Ludwigsburg, Germany and the tiger card was from my younger brother - Simon. Frances created the card that was decorated with little bugs. The old Hull City football programme (1953) was from my old friend Tony - a fellow Hull City supporter. Shirley gave me the new "Bosh!" book, the new bird feeder and the new CD from Bob Dylan.

I am hoping to reach 68 - but you never know, do you?

67 comments:

  1. Why would you not?
    Happy birthday.

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    1. I am significantly older than my father and oldest brother were when they died Joanne.

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    2. What an odd question, Joanne "Why would you not?". People do die. At any age.

      U

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  2. Happy birthday and I wish you many more. By the way, 67 ain't bad!

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  3. Happy belated birthday, Neil. I'm certain you have many more happy years to come, but this year is going to be extra special, what with your grandchild on the way. Your presents are lovely.

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    1. I hope your positivity is infectious!

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  4. Belated birthday wishes. It's been a shitty year so far, so let's all wish that when you 'celebrate' your 68th, things will be a lot better.

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    1. Thanks Cro. I wouldn't put a lot of money on that. Maybe a tenner.

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  5. Happy Birthday! You have lovely presents and it sounds like you had a special night out with your loving family!

    You will be here many more years! I too am older than my mother and one of my brothers were when they died. I made it to 68 and I plan to go many more years. You take care of yourself and modern medicine is improving all the time. We just have to plan on living not on dying! So there!

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  6. Belated birthday wishes! It sounds like you had a wonderful day.
    A friend of ours had both her 70th birthday and her 50th wedding anniversary bang in the middle of full lockdown. She says she cancelled them and will rebook for when everyone can get together, not just six people. The good part is she's therefore still only 69!

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    1. 69? Now why does that number ring a bell in the dark recesses of my mind?

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    2. Steady on, YP !!

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    3. Ah yes, 69 - The Woodstock Festival.

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  7. Happy Birthday indeed YP. Another year older, another year wiser.

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    1. Perhaps another year more foolish. Thanks Carol. Hope the last term is going well.

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  8. Happy birthday YP. Do you remember England winning the World Cup? "There's people on the pitch. I think it's Yorkshire Pudding".

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    1. "...They think it's all over. It is soon". Yes, I watched the 1966 World Cup Final live on television.

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  9. Well, Happy Birthday for last week Mr. Pud. It was our 46th wedding anniversary on the 1st and my birthday, somewhat older than you, on the 3rd. I too had a box of Maltesers given to me!

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    1. No birthday is complete without Maltesers Frances! Congratulations on your 46th wedding anniversary! Your husband must be a saint!.....(Only kidding!)

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  10. Belated Many Happy Returns. Goodness sake you are still young don't worry about something that will not happen.

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    1. It happened to my father and my oldest brother Thelma.

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  11. Belated Happy Birthday YP. - so glad you had a good day. Wishing you many more birthdays to enjoy.
    Best not to dwell on remaining years, just take each day as it comes and enjoy it to the full. Don't they say that 60 is the new 50!

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    1. Who says that CG? Thanks for your kind wishes.

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    2. Wrong, Coppa. Sixty is the new 39.

      U

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    3. Sixty is the new 59+1 !

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  12. I don't like Birthdays, I find it all embarrassing. But glad you had a nice day and who knows if you will get another, non of us can be sure of anything, I've learnt that, but one day at a time and make sure every one counts.
    I love the bug card.
    Briony
    x

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    1. Thanks for your wise response Briony.

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  13. Happy Belated Birthday, YP! Sounds like you had a lovely day.

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  14. 67? You ain't seen nothing yet. My parents are in their eighties. Sometimes I wonder if they are the Adam and Eve of Cockroaches. Indestructible.

    There I was, earlier, joining the queue of well wishers when same [wishes] appear to have vanished into the ether, not materializing on the page. No good to be discouraged. Try again. Hanging on by the skin of one's fingertips if necessary.

    Your sixty eighth's year still young, not too late to hope for many another walk of yours. And a new life.

    Affectionately,
    U

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    1. Thanks for the upbeat optimism Ursula.

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  15. Happy birthday Mr Pudding. Will you share the Maltesers or keep them all to yourself?

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    1. They are mine! All mine! In fact there are only half a dozen left.

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  16. Replies
    1. Oh...so you are one too? I mean a Libran not a - well, you know.

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    2. No, I'm not a, you know, Hull City supporter, although I did go to Boothferry Park once or twice.

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    3. I think I saw you there. Were you wearing a T-shirt that read "Visit Selby!"?

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    4. Librans rule? Surely you mean Librarians!

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  17. Happy belated birthday, Mr pudding!
    Wishing you .any, many happy returns of the day!

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    1. Greetings fair damsel! And thank you.

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  18. A belated Very Happy Birthday, lad. We wish you many more merry and active years.
    A tiger is iconic, Hull City is Byronic, being the Land of Green Ginger; and Meike's card is like a message from Narnia or even Castalia, where they play the Glass Bead Game. Raynor Winn's The Salt Path is a guid read.

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    1. I have caught your birthday greeting like a rugby ball. Thank you sire.

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  19. Adding my belated birthday wishes to all of the above.
    I am sure that you will make it safely to 68. Just keep up the walking and eat lots of Maltesers x

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    1. I wonder if I can get Maltesers on prescription?

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  20. Happy belated birthday you old fart:) You are blessed with health and family and love.

    Let my know how that book is, The Salt Path. I googled it and it looks interesting.

    Stay safe my friend.

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    1. Thank you you young fart! Sadly, "The Salt Path" will have to wait a while. There are several other books in the waiting room.

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  21. Well happy birthday, Mr. P! Looks like you were celebrated beautifully. I love your gifts! They're perfect! Dylan's new album, The Salt Path, a bird feeder- those would have pleased me to no end.
    Here's to a great 67. I'll catch up with you in a little while.

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    1. Thank you MM (Minnie Mouse?) I was happy with those simple gifts and cards. You will be 67 too - before very long!

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    2. So very long! Nine months! A human person could gestate in that amount of time. So yes, you are much older than I am.

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  22. One never knows! Enjoy today. Happy belated birthday.

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    1. A meteorite could land on anyone's head at any time. Thank you Linda.

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  23. Belated Happy Birthday! I'm not a great fan of my birthdays either, particularly as the next one is the big 7-0. The box of Maltesers would have made me a very happy bunny.

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    1. When Kay inevitably asks you what you would like for your birthday, say "seventy boxes of Maltesers"..."please".

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  24. Like everyone else, I send you belated happy birthday wishes. It’s not our fault the wishes are belated; you never told us until the festivities were past.

    Never heard of Maltesers over here, but they look good enough to eat. That is what you do with them, isn’t it?

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    1. You could also use them as marbles! Thanks for calling by again Bob - and for leaving another thoughtful comment.

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  25. Warm wishes from the Deep South YP for this birthday and for many more to come I hope, for you and me both born in '53. So much life still to live and for you the bonus of becoming a grandparent.
    Your birthday is also my wedding anniversary,(37 years now of the usual ups and downs life throws at us but first time for a pandemic) so you will not be forgotten in future years.
    You show admirable restraint with your book presents. I would have my nose in The Salt Path immediately. It's been on my wish list for sometime joined now by the sequel The Wild Silence. Since I cannot leave these shores to journey North I must be content to experience it through the eyes of another and their written words, yours included.
    Thanks for sharing your daily walks, great photos, family life and most of all your humour. Stay Alert, keep safe
    Adele

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    1. I wondered who "Unknown" might be but then I saw that it was you Adele. Like a vintage wine, 53 was a very good year for babies! Love to The South Island.
      Regards, Neil

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  26. happy birthday to you, Neil!
    Where on earth did Tony get a relic like that? That's very interesting and shows real thought, what a good friend.

    It looks a lovely lot of little joys.

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    1. Oh, you can find old football programmes at e-bay etc.. The ads in that programme tell me that I was born in a very different age. Thanks Kylie.

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  27. Happiest of Birthdays to you. I think that when one reaches this many decades, celebrating all month for your birthday is a grand idea. And, you should definitely set your sights higher than just reaching 68, YP. Why not go for 100?

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    1. If I make 70 I will be happy - or I would be happy if I wasn't dead! Thanks for calling by again Pam. My first proper girlfriend was called Pam.

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  28. Wishing you a belated Happy Birthday Neil. It sounds to have been of the very best sort; filled with the joy, love and presence of those you care for the most. Yes, these are uncertain days, but I wish you personal depths of meaningful and precious celebration in the year ahead that will far outshine the external turmoils. Take the very best care of yourself.

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    1. Typically kind thoughts. Thank you Elizabeth.

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