In spite of his ability to not look a day over 35, Rob turned 46 yesterday. We celebrated with a two-day Festival of Rob which began on Sunday. Rob was curious about his main gift which he knew I had hidden in the studio, as it was too big to wrap or conceal anywhere in the house. We agreed he could have this one gift in advance of his drinks party on Sunday afternoon. I presented him with his custom-made bus scroll with excellent effect - he burst into tears. I assumed these were happy tears. I'd wanted a bus scroll for ages, I love the sharp graphic contrast of the white type on the matt black fabric, and had looked for original ones of the number 19 and 38 buses in London that we used to get to our flat in Islington without success. I found a website that custom made them in exchange for a large sack of coins, so instead got my graphic designer friend Luke to create it for me, using most of the places Rob has ever lived as the destinations. Then I had it printed at a sign shop and finally had it stretched. There were all sorts of shenanigans involved in getting it home as it wouldn't fit in my car. The picture framer had to deliver in with us operating in a pincer movement outside the house just in case Rob came home at the moment it came out of the framer's car. Anyway, Rob loved it which I'm thrilled about.
In the afternoon, we had about 30 people over for drinks and nibbles. I outdid myself on the food, even if I do say so myself, having spent 7 hours preparing a range of canapes. The coconut milk chicken skewers and smoked salmon frittatas were stand outs but the turquoise iced cupcakes were also crowd pleasers.
It was a brilliant afternoon and after some gift opening, a few rounds of beach Twister - the traditional plastic mat replaced by a towel - we retired to bed full of good food and wine, not before spotting this massive spider on the window.
Yesterday was the 16th, Rob's actual birthday, and as the forecast was for 39 degrees, Rob opened his presents and cards (thank you everyone) and then we packed the car early and were at the beach by 9am. We had a birthday breakfast at Bathers' Pavilion before a smashing morning on the beach of hole digging and rock pooling and a bit of a swim - Rob now brave enough to return to the scene of his watery attack. We spent the afternoon cooling off under the hose and in the paddling pool before dinner out with the girls, Lara and Adam and their son Toby. The authentic Italian atmosphere couldn't have been more pronounced as seated at the next table were 4 priests and 2 nuns. Happy Birthday Rob.
In spite of his ability to not look a day over 35, Rob turned 46 yesterday. We celebrated with a two-day Festival of Rob which began on Sunday. Rob was curious about his main gift which he knew I had hidden in the studio, as it was too big to wrap or conceal anywhere in the house. We agreed he could have this one gift in advance of his drinks party on Sunday afternoon. I presented him with his custom-made bus scroll with excellent effect - he burst into tears. I assumed these were happy tears. I'd wanted a bus scroll for ages, I love the sharp graphic contrast of the white type on the matt black fabric, and had looked for original ones of the number 19 and 38 buses in London that we used to get to our flat in Islington without success. I found a website that custom made them in exchange for a large sack of coins, so instead got my graphic designer friend Luke to create it for me, using most of the places Rob has ever lived as the destinations. Then I had it printed at a sign shop and finally had it stretched. There were all sorts of shenanigans involved in getting it home as it wouldn't fit in my car. The picture framer had to deliver in with us operating in a pincer movement outside the house just in case Rob came home at the moment it came out of the framer's car. Anyway, Rob loved it which I'm thrilled about. 
In the afternoon, we had about 30 people over for drinks and nibbles. I outdid myself on the food, even if I do say so myself, having spent 7 hours preparing a range of canapes. The coconut milk chicken skewers and smoked salmon frittatas were stand outs but the turquoise iced cupcakes were also crowd pleasers.
It was a brilliant afternoon and after some gift opening, a few rounds of beach Twister - the traditional plastic mat replaced by a towel - we retired to bed full of good food and wine, not before spotting this massive spider on the window. 
Yesterday was the 16th, Rob's actual birthday, and as the forecast was for 39 degrees, Rob opened his presents and cards (thank you everyone) and then we packed the car early and were at the beach by 9am. We had a birthday breakfast at Bathers' Pavilion before a smashing morning on the beach of hole digging and rock pooling and a bit of a swim - Rob now brave enough to return to the scene of his watery attack. We spent the afternoon cooling off under the hose and in the paddling pool before dinner out with the girls, Lara and Adam and their son Toby. The authentic Italian atmosphere couldn't have been more pronounced as seated at the next table were 4 priests and 2 nuns. Happy Birthday Rob.
1 comment:
Right I think that I have gotthe hang of this.
Should be out in Oz again sometime 12th Feb to 24th Feb. So in Sydney at some point. Can never keep up with whihc is the corect email address for you so drop me a line on simondimascio@aol.com and I will fill in some more detail. Hurray and God's speed to this blog
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