The Actual Birthday

Day 3 of Gemma's 18th birthday weekend.

Friday night was dinner out with her boyfriend
Saturday night was dinner out with 3 girlfriends
Today has been about meeting friends in town and having 2 of them back for tea and to stay the night (I don't think I'm allowed to call it a sleep-over now she's 18)

We had a lovely slow start. I am so proud that I've bred offspring who don't get up early.
Birthday presents and pancakes at 10.30 and then after Gemma had gone out, we went to investigate a whale carcass that had washed up on the beach.
It was gorgeous and awful, stinky and fascinating, interesting and messy.
I took some photos, but after a quick Twitter survey, it was voted that Gemma should be the blipfoto of the day.

At least I had the whale as back up in case she refused.

I think Gemma's had a good birthday and a happy weekend. her idea of fun is usually fairly gentle and pleasant.

We're so proud. (That's her in the middle)

Happy Birthday to a wonderful human being, who has a deep wisdom and strong ideas of right and wrong and the most amazing memory and intellect.

She's still a teenager and good at that, but she's pretty marvellous at being a decent member of the human race too.

I wonder where she'll be this time next year...