HOW THE YEARS CHANGE PEOPLE

As they were 25 years ago.

As you can see, they have all had hard lives.

A SMASHING 50th.

So it arrived.

Tuesday 29th March 2011, Al's 50th birthday.

Chrissy (Ex Navy Chef), Eammon (Submariner), & Alison (Navy reservist) turned up from the St Malo ferry at 9-30am.

We had bucks fizz before lunch and then up to the Auberge in the village for a fine 3 course lunch and even more wine.

Guess who forgot to take the camera to the restaurant???

We then retired to the bar for a couple of hours, and enjoyed a glass or two in the garden

As usual Marie failed in the early part of the evening.

And to cap the evening we opened a bottle of port of 1977 vintage (The year I joined the Navy)

I have had the bottle for 11 years after buying it in Lisbon.

So a fine time was had by all.

Gary Crabtree (Chief Stoker) and Kaz arrive tomorrow along with my brother and Nikki in the afternoon.

Then another 8 turn up on Saturday morning before we head to the village in the evening for a bit of a party in the bar.

And once all have gone next Monday, I will return to a life of Pipe and Slippers!

A big thank you to you all for my birthday cards.

Mum & Bob, Barbara & Percy, Bob & Lesley, Eric & Anne, Liz, John & Chrissie, Mikhail & Natasha to name a few.

And thanks for my e-birthday cards Jenn and Graeme, Chip Phillips, and a few others.

I had a memorable day.

Thank You.

10 YEARS AGO TODAY

10 years ago today (the day before my 40th birthday) I left the Royal Navy after 23 years and 7 months service.

I answered the call of my country.

One of my first ships.

HMS Undefendable.

They taught me to smoke.

They promised I would see the world.

They said I would have a good time.

They turned me in to a man.

And gave me a big enough pension to retire in France and have the easy life.

50th BIRTHDAY - 2 DAYS TO GO

Bella is really looking forward to her Dad's big birthday bash.

You can't wipe the smile off her face.

Arthur orders his card on moonpig.com.

A NICE TOUCH.

I popped in to the village bar this lunchtime to be told by the finest patron in the area that they have applied to the mayor for a bar extension for Saturday 2nd April and it has been granted till 2am.

I never even asked for it. What good people!

Seems there might be 30 going, which is a fine turn out from the UK

50th BIRTDAY - 4 DAYS TO GO

Well, nearly!

6 DAYS TO GO.

That's my birthday cake sorted!

50th BIRTDAY - 7 DAYS TO GO

The 7 day countdown starts here.

Ooo..Look. Mints for old people.

And I am going to put one of these cones outside my house.

And a nice new t-shirt.

PLANTATION

Things are starting to take shape in the garden.

The new pear tree is starting to bud, which is a relief as it looked like a dead twig when we bought it in November.

The soil is totally prepared.

The rotorvator cuts a 2 day job down to 30 minutes

Strawberries, Peas, garlic, & parsnips are in already with more to follow very shortly.

SECURITY SCARE

After a major security breach, we have now decided to put two guards on duty to secure Jock Rennie's bed for the 2nd April.

WOOD DAY

Have been busy with the wood today.

Firstly a log was chain sawed up to make stepping stones for the front garden.

Then varnished on both sides.

Then the wood we got last month has mostly been chopped up for next winter.

We now have more than enough to see us through.

A NEW GLOBAL MAP

Just so we can see who is watching the blog from anywhere in the world.

25 YEARS APART.

How things change.

25 years ago in 1986 when I was 25, my interests in life were wide and varied and radical.

As I am 50 in 13 days, I have decided to list my likes of a quarter of a century ago, with today's more gentle pastimes.

Music Aged 25.

Music Aged 50.

Sex Aged 25.

Sex Aged 50.

TV Aged 25.

TV Aged 50.

Holidays Aged 25.

Holidays Aged 50.

Hair Aged 25.

Hair Aged 50.

See!!!!!!

We all mature!

TWO WEEKS TO GO

Two weeks to go before my big 50th birthday.

So I have trawled the net to see what I can expect.

It seems nothing but misery lies ahead now!

This will be the first aisle I will head too when at the local supermarket.

Mind you, 35 euros for 90 adult nappies isn't too bad.

I shall also become instantly a "miserable old sod" overnight.

Seems I will only be able to fly with this company airline.

Only 120 seats on board, but luckily each one next to a toilet!

They are not too frequent with the drinks trolley, just in case of embarrassing accidents.

I wouldn't be too amused at this road sign being put in at the end of our road.

By the way, what is that woman doing with her hand to the old fella?

And I certainly won't be doing this at 50.

Yep..There's no fun being old!!!

PARTY PREPS.

Tomorrow means we are just 2 weeks away from the big 50 birthday.

There is a selection of the UK nations finest servicemen turning up for a big bash on Sat 2nd April at the Nautil.

The finest local bar a man could wish for.

We have started our preparation here, and we have already put the tightest security on Jock Rennies bed.

Have a nice sleep Jock..It is well protected.

AROUND AND ABOUT

Sometimes we do a dog walk that takes us around the whole perimeter of St Potan, just to be nosey really and see what is going on.

Cows like to stare at the dogs.

The hamlet of Moulin

Approaching the village from the rear.

BOOKED YOUR SUMMERS HOLS YET?

You can always stay here in Brittany you know!

We don't charge!

St Michaels Mount

Rocky Coastline

Chateau at Josselin

Dinan Port

Sandy Beaches