Birthday treats!

A chap came round to look at the damage I'd done to the wall of the shower with a view to fixing it. No problem, it seems. The sooner the better, so it doesn't remind me of that unfortunate slip.

I popped to the doc to get some more effective pain killers. I might ask for my money back (Oh, I didn't pay any money...) for these knees - I'm sure they're worse than my old ones.

We then popped into town for the first of JR's birthday lunches. We went to a new (for us) restaurant, and I must say, on my personal restaurant scale, it rates very highly. Not quite 10/10 (their flat white wasn't), but the meal was superb.

The starter was 'Heritage tomatoes' which was really terrific - four different coloured slices of tomato (red, orange, yellow and green), with beautiful smooth, soft, creamy goat's cheese, basil and black olive crumbs. Also a single piece of filo pastry. Magic! (See extra)

The main course was even better. We were both very happy with our choices, and I can't wait to go again - I'd have the same. And though there was muzak, it was so low I couldn't hear it above the happy chatter of the punters. 9.5 out of 10.

When we came home we found Archie still occupied with his peanut butter stuffed toy, so hopefully he hadn't been barking. We've been leaving him for a few hours at a time of late - he really needs to learn this. And we do get a crazed, crying, charging-round-like-a-mad-thing welcome, which is fun.

Elizabeth came to take Archie out for a bonus walk, but actually to deliver a huge, beautiful bunch of flowers for tomorrow's birthday girl. She is so kind. We all love her in this house!