Preparations are afoot - the result

So, today was Liz's 50th birthday. As a treat, a bunch of us went to the Peak District for the weekend and today we took hired mountain bikes on a ride. Liz and Claire had worked out the route, and off we went. I'd never ridden off-road before, and while it was totally exhilerating in places, I think on balance I'd rather walk.

Which is what me and Mrs BH did for a lot of the way back - I tracked our return trip on Everytrail, and we travelled 6.5km, and gained 450m in altitude. Yikes. That's steep.

It was ok (ish) going down - both Claire and Liz gave us excellent tuition (keep your weight over the back wheel, relax your shoulders, speed is your friend...) and we all hurtled down the hillsides with smiles on our faces. But the up was less good.

I took many photos when we were out and about, but thought that today's blip really ought to be of the party, or at least the party preparations. Sue had bought these flowers for Liz, and they had pride of place in the middle of the table. And gorgeous they were too. We decorated the bunk house with home-made bunting, swathes of organza, a carrier-bag full of silver glittery balls on stringy stuff, and balloons. A very smart way to celebrate a birthday.