'Its my party and I'll .... if I want to'

Yes, I became 70 today, and I still feel the same, not quite twenty but certainly a lot younger than I look. But that is the nature of the human condition.

I decided to gather together a small group of friends for a picnic at one of my favourite spots on the banks of the River Severn about five miles south of Gloucester. We eventually all found the venue and despite the initial brisk breeze we all agreed we felt good to be out and in the elements.

The foods was great, with most thanks to Woodpeckers who organised the fare wonderfully and even commissioned a fab birthday cake for me, which we never got round to scoffing. There was too much else.

I had friends joining me whom I met in my teens at school and at play. Others came into my life in my twenties and many others have been in more recent times. and I even met two new friends today, one of whom was visiting C and S from his home in southern India. There he is a linchpin of a centre caring for those with leprosy and other problems. What a star. His friend Sam hails from near Manchester, and had worked in India with john some years ago,.

Many people met today for the first time which is exactly how I like my gatherings to be. There was laughter good cheer, toasts, and a song or two.  A kestrel even seemed to join in by deciding to hover over the bank for several minutes just a few yards upstream. What a joyous sight. This area is quite wild and relatively remote and all the better for it. 

I must thank everyone for giving me such a wonderful time, and for many fine presents and terrific cards. Here's to another ten years or more. By the way, Helena has written about the day with a slightly different perspective. as ever