Didn't really travel in July but the highlight was the fact that I turned 30 and loved it!
Basically I celebrated my birthday over about 8 days.
It started on Friday 6th when Ellen arrived from Oslo. I picked her up from Wolverhampton railway station and we chatted and chatted again and had a lot of catching up to do (again) andI got presents from the whole family in Norway which I really didn't expect. I had forgotten how much fun birthdays are until then. I was so surprised because I'd actually forgotten about the present bit and was just looking forward to catching up with friends. I am currently wearing the T-shirt Ellen gave me and I believe I am still wearing the 2.5kg of Norwegian chocolate I was also given (and ate within the birthday week). I also got a scarf from Mamma and Tor and a beautiful necklace from Ellen that is in the shape of a heart.
The next day I had planned a get together of friends at Simon's place for a BBQ and Ellen and I were to get there early to make salad and help set up. Despite having rained for a month (and it started raining again a few days later), it was perfect, sunny BBQ weather. My expectation when Si offered to have the party at his place was to simply rock up and have some mates over for a bit of a BBQ with everyone bringing their own meat and grog. Simon had other ideas though and had bedecked the place with "happy 30th" siiver ribbon in the backyard and over the front door, Also there were helium balloons by the BBQ and a big silver happy 30th balloon weighted by a dolphin. On getting there, he informed me that the garage door wasn't working so if I needed anything from there I had to ask him. Durr Sally who usually spots a surprise a mile off did not twig that he had bubbly in the fridge for me. Even though other people seemed to be ok to come and go through that same door all day.
Surprises abounded. Chris and Nat and Simon and Carla from uni arrived first. I was really lucky because Simon and Carla had only arrived back from their travels of Europe the day before and I hadn't seen them since December 2005. It was great that Nat put in the effort to come across since she was 7 months pregnant at the time. They came bearing chocolate birthday cake with Maltesers on top. Oh, what a perfect choice for me!
Next to arrive was Amy and Eliza from work and we had the BBQ well underway. Then to my great surprise Ben (who had told me a month in advance that he could not come) rocked up! It was fabulous. He had presents for me that involved great books about travel (one absolutely beautiful one about unforgettable journeys) and yes, you guessed it, more chocolate. He also gave me a badge that said "buy me a drink, 21st" which I think might be the reason a guy of about 20 tried to kiss me a few hours later.
Emma was the last but not least to arrive. She also surprised me with a present. Another book and beautiful one too. It is all about dive sites in the world and ratings for them. I studied it in the sun the next day looking forward to the Red Sea and the diving off east Africa.
Then Si was to surprise me yet again by giving me presents. Considering he'd asked me three days before what I wanted and I actually believed him, I was genuinely surprised. A necklace and a dive knife - love them both.
Then we hit the town of Moseley. Went to the pub, Drift, and chilled and chatted for a bit until close. Then Amy, Eliza, Chris, Nat, Simon and Carla all went home to bed and Ellen, Em and Si and I went clubbing (Ben had already gone). We danced until close. For some reason the others kept putting new drinks in my hand but I swear at the end of the night I was less drunk than they were.
Got home and Ellen flaked first while we drank G&Ts and I tried to teach Em how to speak Norwegian while sucking helium. Si passed out second, Em flaked third and Me the party animal at 30 was last to hit the sack (and I might say the first to rise the next day).
The next day was chilled with left over BBQ and Wimbledon finals. Em and Ellen and I all left late and Em headed to London while Ellen and I headed back to Wombourne. Unfortunately the next day I had to say goodbye to Ellen when I went to work since she was flying out already.
All week I got cards and emails and messages wishing me a happy birthday and it was so nice. Thank you everyone. I love you too! Mum and Dad sent me the most memorable present. Everyone thought it quite amusing.
On the Thursday I got phone calls from Oz and went out with Jo and Jodie and Lisa from work and Si joined and we went to a quiz night and came a memorable last. My excuse is that the questions were all British. Work gave me a calendar which is very interesting to look at and also a voucher to go to the theatre so I plan to use it to go to westend with Snoozy.
The next weekend was my second birthday bash weekend. Basically my friend Snooze couldn't make it the week before so I planned to catch up with her. She emailed me during the week to find out my favourite foods and what I didn't like and made a very special dinner for me . So I got to her place on the Saturday in early afternoon and found her cooking up a storm and she had also made me chocolate cake!!! Snoozy's parent's and her boyfriend Ronnie and I all enjoyed the Thai that Snooze had made especially. It was fab and fun and relaxed. And I got yet MORE presents. A bag and a jewellery box (which I thought was a fab present since I got two necklaces for my birthday and so therefore was suddenly in need of one) and yet more chocolate!!! There seemed to be a theme occurring.
That night there was a "Queen" tribute concert on in Oundle (the village where Snoozy lives) so we headed in to gatecrash that and caught the last few songs (all the well known ones) and the fireworks display at the end. And given I LOVE fireworks, it was the perfect end to my birthday week.
The next day I left Snoozy's late with the knowledge that I have the most fabulous friends and family in the world. A few days later a parcel came and in it was a present from my sister and my two best friend's, Rachelle and Angela. It is the best present ever because it is a UV water steriliser for my trip to Africa (and later beyond) which will make life so much easier for me.
OK enough of the gushy blog to gab on about how fantastic my birthday was and how lucky I am to have such fab friends. But I do.
I will write about the rest of July and about August and September on another day. I have to go badger watching!
