Happy Birthday (1)

1. Today is my mum's 61st birthday and to celebrate she, I and her sister Linda, are at a spa hotel for the weekend. Last year we had a bumper weekend for her 60th, the year before we spent the day at the National Museum for lunch and the Jean Muir exhibition. So the birthday weekend is always a treat and always involves fizzy plonk during the day.

2. Arriving at the hotel and discovering a castle. Dating from 1350, with Knights in the dungeon and walls as thick as cars we start the day with a long and lazy lunch full of laughs and chatter.

3. Checking into our room which is called 'The Knight order of the Thistle' which has it all; views, comfort and warmth. Into our spa gear, champagne to pop, presents to open.

4. Getting giggly and heading to the hydro pool and steam room. Lots of bubbles and laughter. As I stood under the pummelling water at one end of the pool I watch these two sisters, the Sanderson girls, up to mischief and laughing. I can't hear what they are saying but they look young and happy.

5. An afternoon and evening filled with good, hearty, bent double laughter, cakes and candles, good chat and dinner. We end the evening by the fire in the library sipping drinks we were convinced we didn't want. A very happy, sparkly, giggly birthday to you mum.