Birthdays, Birthdays, Birthdays...

Two busy days and so many birthdays...

As you know we went down to Emba on Friday morning to catch up with all the family as it was:

(a) Dad's 80th birthday

(b) Uncle David's 79th birthday

and

(c) John's 44th birthday - (44 and retired he likes to remind people!!). 

We all sat round in the sunshine so that cards and presents could be opened so that meant that there was Mum and Dad, John and I, Aunty Joyce and Uncle David, and Kaye, Richard, Matthew, Elena and Michael.  A number of other people called round to join in the imbibing of Buck's Fizz. 

It was going to be a long day and so we all needed to pace ourselves so we had lunch together before Kaye and co returned to their accommodation for sleep/swim whatever.  We were all assembling at Mum and Dad's for drinkies before going on to the Voukani taverna in Tala for Dad's celebratory family meal. 

We were being joined by my godmother Janet and her partner Alan,  old friends Alan and Trish, Eileen and Jackie and Costas.  Unfortunately Angela and Richard were unable to join us as they are still in England whilst Richard gets his medication sorted.

John, Mum and I went up to the Taverna to make sure that the table was laid out and dressed ready for the evening - Dad isnt one for a fuss so the balloons and party poppers were veto'd but I had printed individual placemats for everyone featuring photographs of Dad through his lifetime - from aged one, through school, early days in Cyprus and finally at Ellies Wedding a couple of weeks ago.

The weather has been superb so it was a really lovely evening to sit outside and greet the various guests as they arrived.  We had arranged it so that Mum and Dad's neighbour Ray would play taxi-man and make sure that neither Mum nor Dad would have to drive.

At the restaurant we took up the whole of one corner - Dad had carefully laid out his table plan and arranged that he and Mum would move after each course to ensure that they got round to talk to all their guests.  The placemats proved to be a great success as they were passed around for all to see and each one provoked some story or another. 

Dad had arranged that we would have a choice of starters followed by roast beef with all the trimmings and then a choice of Nicki's fantastic home-made puddings.  The meal was excellent particularly as the rest of the taverna was packed so the kitchen was rushed off its feet.  We all agreed that the beef was cooked to perfection - pink and succulent.  Several carafes of wine were sunk and we all left what had been a very successful evening. 

Yesterday was Dad's open house and he was expecting about 60+ people to pitch up between 12.00 and 4.00pm for drinks and 'nibbles' the only trouble is you never really know what people expect for 'nibbles' and so I had been tasked with making sure that there was a reasonable buffet - and you know me (and John) nothing is left to chance and no-one is ever left wanting when they come to one of our parties.

It seemed sensible to get people out of my hair and so we packed John off with Dad, Uncle David and Richard for 'coffee' as it would ensure that Dad didnt get too stressed - he said he had been having nightmares about his party.  Mum took Aunty Joyce off with her shopping for last minute bits and pieces and Kaye and I set to in a very unfamiliar kitchen.   A couple of hours later, rather stressed and hot, we had made platters of food to rival any professional buffet we could have paid for. 

The garden was laid out with as many tables and chairs as we were able to lay our hands on (thanks Ray from next door) and we attempted to create as much shade as we could however it was a very very hot day and we struggled a bit in that respect!!

From 12.00 guests began to arrive and settle down to drinks, nibbles and a chin-wag.  It was very satisfying to year people say "what lovely food". 

Dad was chuffed to bits that nearly everyone who had said they were coming did manage to put in an appearance.

I said at the top 'birthdays' - two of the guests at the party yesterday were also celebrating a birthday.  One was Suzie - the elegant lady on the right who was 92 yesterday and is absolutely fantastic - in fact she was throwing a party of her own that evening!

The other was Mark (I caught the back of him in this picture with his wife Nicky and John)  I wont divulge his age but let's just say he wasnt 92!!  Hopefully we will be catching up with Nicky and Mark soon if not we have arranged to go to Nicosia races with them in November.

By 4.00pm my feet had given up the ghost and it was lovely to be able to sit down once the last of the guests had disappeared - it had been such a successful day and hopefully it was exactly what Dad had been hoping for.

As a family we all disappeared to Mandria in the evening for some well-earned fish and chips - in fact fish and chips to die for and time to reflect on the events of the last couple of days.

It was a bit sad really that I had to say farewell to my God-mum Janet - she is one in a million and my Mum's oldest friend and we have been very close (still are but the distance makes it more difficult).  Although she and Alan dont leave until Wednesday we wont have the opportunity to see them again.  Anyway we will definitely go back at some point and stay with them - that is a promise.

Back now in Droushia we are getting ready for Vix and Trev to arrive - we have just had a text message to say that they are boarding although slightly delayed.  John is like a kid waiting for Christmas and about to do my head in!!!

Blogging will be sporadic whilst the Hazzells are here but I will do my best xxx