Phil's 70th birthday

The 70th birthday is special for many reasons, apart from being a milestone. It's worth mentioning that Phil is far from being over the hill and having retired from active work is now spending most of his time relaxing and sailing.  According to Mark Twain, those who reach 70 can live free of the shackles that tied them down for a large chunk of their lives too.  

Over the years, I have seen Phil do so many things to make life full of more smiles, love, and laughter and I appreciate every wonderful memory that we have created together.  Our children count themselves lucky and blessed to have you as their father.  You have constantly set the perfect example of what it is to be a man, father, and husband.  The grandchildren adore you too.

So let the celebrations begin.

Lunch with "the swimmers" and a wonderful present of 12 bottles of wine. (Aged to perfection).

Geoff also read out this excellent poem which he once saw in a bar in Uganda and tracked down on the internet.

Sinful, ginful rum-soaked men

The horse and mule live 30 years And nothing knows of wine and beers;

The goat and sheep at 20 die, And never taste of scotch and rye.

The cow drinks water by the ton, And at 18 is mostly done.

The dog at 15 cashes in, Without the aid of rum and gin.

The cat in milk and water soaks, And then in 12 short years, he croaks.

The modest, sober, bone dry hen Lays eggs for nogs, then dies at 10.

All animals are strictly dry, They sinless live and swiftly die.

But sinful, ginful rum soaked men Survive for three score years and 10.

And some of them, a very few, Stay pickled til they're 92!

Phil's birthday present, a Tilley hat.  It passed the test on a very windy Milford-on-Sea cliff top.

Then it was on to The Captain's Club at Christchurch for a wonderful afternoon tea with champagne.

We had a lovely table overlooking the River Stour and the food was delicious.

We then strolled to The Tea House Cocktail Parlour in Christchurch where we met Caroline and family for cocktails and dim sums and were thoroughly impressed with the service, cocktails and food.  They made the cocktails from scratch and they were worth waiting for.

On Saturday we met the family again.  This time for lunch at The Cliff House in Barton-on-Sea.  They have got it right.  Excellent food.  The staff are great, nothing too much trouble. And the Thai beef salad, what can I say except Alun and Caroline wanted to return the next day to eat it again.

Then it was back to Milford on Sea for some of Chloe's excellent homemade birthday cake and Emmie's homemade biscuits.  So much love. Yum yum, they were delicious, well done.

We wish you all the best Grandad as you celebrate your 70th birthday.