75 today

Sitting at Livio's for dinner. He has a big crowd tonight and two waiters have not turned up. We could be here a while. 

Nevertheless, we were entertained. Someone called Graham had brought his family and friends to celebrate his 70th birthday. They filled the restaurant. No wonder Livio had wanted the extra waiters. Ultimately, he had one young helper who did a marvellous job and Livio himself seemed rather spritely, quite unlike the previous occasion when we'd seen him.

The company was inspired to get up and dance (see extra). Meanwhile, Len and I enjoyed our repast of chicken liver parfait followed by pasta. I had a seafood pasta with clams, mussels, prawns, shrimps and possibly minute portions of squid. Delicious.

We left immediately after eating. Len didn't enjoy all the commotion and I. must admit, I would have preferred a quieter evening. Livio presented me with a bottle of Prosecco which had lost its label as a birthday gift.

Earlier, I had insisted on going into Sainsbury's to find some Schar ciabatta rolls which I knew I would need for the chicken liver parfait. Besides, Livio always puts bread and butter and olives on the table before the meal but never gluten free bread. So I always take my own.

Fortunately found a drag along basket but not a shopping mobility scooter. (It was at the other end of the store). A very kind young shop assistant guided me to the Free From section, which has moved since Lloyds Pharmacy moved out and wheeled my basket to the checkout. His parents have moved to the Lake District where lamb is relatively cheap to buy thanks to all the Herdwicks roaming the hills. Yes, he agreed, he's lucky.

Then we motored to Nanpantan where Basil at last got a walk. I sat on a chair Len brought out of the car and contemplated  the serenity of the scene (extra).