May 26th: And the Birthday Goes On!

Day 53 (Day 28 in Australia)

A quieter day today. Didn’t get up until 9:30am. Pancakes for breakfast. American style not the crepe-like ones we have on pancake day. Cooked by Phil. Serviced with maple syrup, yogurt, blueberries and other stuff. Delicious.

I spent the rest of the morning writing yesterday’s travel blog post while Phil prepared lunch for seven people (their friends Jacinta and Stephen were joining us) while Carolyn and Sophia took Julie shopping. She tells me it was a bit like West Quays in Southampton but ten times bigger and almost exclusively occupied my top-end designer brand shops. I’m sad to have missed it.*

Lunch (paella) outside was also delicious and fun with lots of chat. Not a cloud in the blue sky and surprisingly warm for this time of year, even in Melbourne.

The outside kitchen…

… complete with beer fridge!


After plates were cleared, Carolyn brought out a huge chocolate cake with a candle in for myself and Jacinta who had also recently celebrated a birthday. This really is the longest and best birthday I have ever had. 23 days and counting!

In the evening we watched the first 3 episodes of a UK spy drama that was new to us - Slow Horses, with Gary Oldman. 

An early night was needed after the late one last night. Also we had the big goodbye to Phil who is off early in the morning to Hong Kong with work.

* obviously not!

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