Surprise!!!! The big Fifty is pretty nifty...

We arrived back from Center parcs on  Friday evening and on the Saturday I had my birthday present to enjoy:-) A Spa day, with two hours of treatments, a two course lunch and the use of the facilities - these included a wonderful serene pool area with jacuzzi and sauna.My idea of heaven...

Alan and Emily dropped me off there for 10,they said they were going to do some shopping and just chill out at home til they needed to pick me up...

 I checked in at reception and was told the time of lunch - 12.30 - and my facial and massage were for 1.30. I got myself changed, took my book and magazines and settled onto a lounger.

I have a little routine that I like to do, I read for a while then I swim a few lengths, jacuzzi, swim a few more lengths, sauna,swim again and then back to lounging and reading,repeat as and when desired:-)

They provide big thick gowns and slippers. So bundled up, I headed to the Bistro at my allotted time.Lunch was fabulous! To start I had Gravlax with a herb dressing and warm mustard potato salad. Light, fresh and totally delicious.I then had a pasta dish - I am struggling to remember the description but it had prawns and Parmesan and chili.It was the best pasta I have ever eaten! It was light, yet full of flavour and I ate every last morsel.

I know some people don't like to eat on their own but I love time to myself and don't feel in any way alone.

Being on my own means I can get the full benefit from the relaxing experience.It is a little like a retreat but with a little luxury -)

Back down to the pool area to read the treatments started.

I decided to have a massage that involves choosing an oil by smell, from four different bottles without knowing anything about the benefits of the ingredients until after you have made a choice This time the scent that called to me was full of sea minerals and was a rejuvenating mix said to help with the symptoms of PMT and menopause - Bingo - just what I needed and funny that I was drawn to the sea in eating and
treatments:-))

I think they should offer you a room to have the treatments in that you don't have to leave because after the two hours I felt soooo relaxed and just wanted to drift off:-) I had a very nice herbal tea in the salon before heading back to the pool to start the arduous task of relaxing some more:-)

I was sad to leave but was ready and waiting to be picked up by 5.

I was reading in the reception when Milly and Alan walked in.Milly handed me a little gift box all done up in a ribbon and it had a watch in that I had admired in a shop the previous week:-)

The next day we were up early.The plan was that they were going to take me for a surprise meal at about 2 and before that at about 1 they were going to help a friend set up for a show she was doing in the village hall.

Alan surprised me that morning by telling me he had taken the day off on Monday so we could all spend the day together.
He suggested we get the housework out of the way that day so we could relax the next day.We spent the morning cleaning and doing the jobs that needed doing.I have since found out the real reason ....

At ten to one Amy came round to get Emily and they tootled off with Alan to help D set up in the hall and I was under strict instructions to get in a long hot bath and change into my glad rags.

At the appointed time of 1.50pm  the two of them came back and blindfolded me before leading me to the car.The journey was short - we were only driving for about ten minutes - but I felt quite sick and dizzy by the time the car stopped.

They guided me out of the car and into a building.Then things happened really quickly I heard a door open and at the same time someone ( I now know it was Alan) whipped off the blindfold and a cry of
 "Surprise!!"
 rang out as I tried to take in the scene before me! I was so shocked, I first saw my Mum who looked as if she was about to cry and I then slowly took in that all my family and many friends had gathered in the village hall to celebrate my Birthday.I think there were around 40 or 50 in total!!
Family from Ripon had come all the way for the day.It was so good to see so many people in one place that meant so much to me.
I was shaking so much and had to sit down .People started bringing my gifts over and I just sat in a bit of a daze opening them!
There was a table of food and many lovely cakes.The time passed so quickly - after I had got my breath back and stopped shaking - I managed to circulate.
Alan made a speech to thank people and Milly brought in the cake for me to blow out the candles - which - according to her - I did too early :-)

 After a couple of hours it was time to clear the hall and we said goodbye to all my guests and came back home.Family members joined us - in our nice clean house:-)) the real reason he thought we should do the housework...
I have since found out all the details of how it came to be.Milly had been for tea at Amy's house a couple of months before my birthday and a discussion was had about a surprise meal.When she got home and asked Al if they could have a little party!

They decided to do a tea and cake tea party and book the village hall for a couple of hours.Then it kind of morphed as more people were able to come and a buffet was put on - a joint effort from Family and friends I think...

Alan had to grab time whilst I was in the bath or out of the house to phone people and he and Emily would do the planning whilst walking Beauty.Alan was far out of his comfort zone - he has many talents but party planning was not one he had attempted before.He said his stress levels were high with the responsibility he felt and the prospect of people not turning up on the day!They had planned the timing of my Spa day so I would be out of the way the day before to give them chance to do last minute shopping and setting up the hall :-)When they picked me up from the Spa Milly told me she had helped Alan washing up - yes a memorable enough occurance that she would be proud of herself for doing it:-)) - I now know she washed all the teacups and saucers from the hall in readiness for the party.
Helping D to set up her show was such a plausible reason for them to be over at the hall before the party and I didn't think anything of it...
Emily was fully involved in all the decisions and I am amazed at how she kept the secret.She said it was because she wanted it to be the most special day for me:-)

I am a lucky lady, I feel blessed in so many ways and couldn't wish for more.
A big thank you to all those who came along and made it such a special day.

Fifty is going to be my best year yet :-))