Reliving a special day from my childhood

Today is going to be a real blast from the past! It isn’t going to be the usual day you would expect someone to want to do to celebrate their 50^th, but for me it is very special.

As I have said before, having a birthday which always fell during our families 2-week summer holiday, meant that most birthdays just blended into the holiday. Don’t get me wrong, my parents made a fuss of me, but you know what it is like as a kid, once you hit the beach the day itself isn’t important. That was until one very special birthday.

We had driven to Ilfracombe and my parents suggested we walk along the harbour. There moored up was a big boat! Well as a kid anything larger than a dinghy is a big boat. Dad thought we should go on board and have a look around! Little did I know was that they had booked it as a surprise trip for me to visit Lundy Island.

Now, this is where the story of that day is told over and over and over again! I have always been a bit of an independent madam! It is no surprise then when offered help to board the ship I declined it, and the inevitable happened. I fell in. To make it worse, I refused help on the way back too and the same thing happened. On the plus side, it has entertained my parents for many years.

When I was thinking about how I wanted to spend my birthday, that birthday surprise always came to the forefront of my memories. I researched it and the boat still went, but not from Ilfracombe on my actual birthday.

I really wanted to spend my birthday with my friends but wasn’t sure either if they would be interested in going to Lundy. If you don’t know about it, it is a little island off the shores of Devon. It is a nature reserve run by the National Trust. Puffins use it for their breeding grounds and seals and dolphins can also be seen there.

There are only 28 people living on the Island, with just a pub, church and shop in the way of facilities. That said, there is something calming and magical about the place. Well for me anyway.

I was a bit disappointed that I couldn’t go to the Island on my birthday. I did see though that a boat left from Bideford the next day. Unfortunately, it was due to leave at 8 am due to the tide. Now, not being funny, but having to get up and be on a boat ready to leave by 8 am the morning after your 50^th was not a realistic option!

After further explorations, I found a lovely man – Colin – from Lundy Charters who was based in Clovelly who could take us over to the Island on the Saturday at a more leisurely time of 9.30 am! My amazing friends all agreed to come with me.

So, the morning came, and we all headed off to Clovelly. We were told to park in the Anglers car park. As we get there, we soon realise it is also the same day as a festival so there is absolutely no parking. If you haven’t been to Clovelly, it is built on a very steep hill. The road down to the harbour is a 25% hill! The road is single track so there are wardens at the top, middle and bottom with radios ensuring that traffic is only flowing one way at any given time.

After a lot of worry about where to park, we were advised to park up in the main car park and get the land rover back down which was shuttling people that day. Hubby suggested rather than all 8 of use going back up to come down again, why don’t the drivers just go up and us ladies stay at the bottom. A very good idea.

As I jump out of the car, I ask hubby if he would like me to take his rucksack with me, which he did. I head off to take in the activity of the harbour while hubby takes the car back up the steep road to the main car park.

I’m stood chatting when it hits me! I have the car keys! My car is one that doesn’t need a key to start it, but it does need to be in the car when it is being driven. In a blind panic I find the warden at the bottom. I explain the situation to him. I now have visions of my car broken down halfway up the hill, no-one being able to go up or down! He kindly radios to his colleagues to see if there is a problem. The land rover that went up after him has arrived at the top. Thankfully the car somehow made it without the keys!

I’m now panicking as to how is the car going to be locked? The warden kindly tells me to take the land rover back up, lock the car then come back with the land rover. Roger the driver was so lovely.

The journey back down was with a group of pirates that were performing that day in Clovelly. I hadn’t even boarded the boat and the day had already been memorable!

Finally, I can relax, and I meet up with Colin to board his boat. As I get on, I can’t help but say the most ridiculous thing! ‘Ooh it smells of fish’. This brings roars of laughter from my friends. Why? Well it’s a fishing boat we are on!

The boat sets sail and we are taking longer than I remember the journey to the Island to be. As we sail, I take in the views. I do love the sea so much. So many seabirds hunting for their dinner. A seal passes us just long enough to see him, but not enough for a photo. I am desperate to see dolphins but sadly that isn’t to be.

Gradually the island comes into view just as a puffin flies past.

We land on the island and I already feel nostalgic. It is a long steep walk up to the main part of the island where the only public toilets are. We have a stop to look at the shop. We only have a few hours so prioritise what we want to do. One of my friends hasn’t seen puffins up close before so we decided to head off to their nesting site.

After a short while, we find out that they have already left. Gutted and being short of time we head back to the pub for a spot of lunch.

After lunch 6 of us head to the disused lighthouse to explore. 147 steps up give you a 360-degree views of the island. It is very beautiful.

After heading back to meet the rest of the group it is almost time to head back to the boat. We decide to pop onto the beach first and dip our toes in the sea. Well it has been a long time since I got wet here so it would be rude not to. At least this time it is just my feet!

As I look amongst the rocks, I find some amazing sea creatures. A poor crab is rescued by a friend. It really has been another great day.

We walk back up to the jetty where the boat will come and get us. As I look down it dawns on me! When we arrived, the boat was level with the jetty. Now the tide was out it was about 10 feet lower! How on earth were we going to get onto the boat!

Hubby points to a rusty ladder going down to the sea! Is he serious? Sadly, he is. One of my friends is even more in a panic as she is wearing a dress!

As Colin arrives back with the boat, he confirms our fears. We are going to have to climb down that ladder and land on a bobbing boat! Then walk around the edge to get into the main part of the boat! Oh boy.

I am the last to go on. My body is shaking. I am willing myself to stay calm and not to let go of the ladder! I slowly make my way down. Colin is there to steady me. I step off the ladder onto the boat. It was scary but I made it, completely dry! I was so happy!

All safely aboard we head back. The sea is no longer calm. As we hit the waves, we get soaked. Thankfully it is a warm day. I could move to somewhere less in the line of fire (or waves), but suddenly I am that child again. I am having a great time.

After 1.5 hours we arrive back in Clovelly. My friends probably are not as enthusiastic about the day as me, but they don’t show it. They really have proven they are great friends today.

We walk back through Clovelly itself to the car park just as the rain starts.

When back at our apartments it is a quick shower and change before heading down to the seafront for fish and chips. As we call for our friends in their apartment, I realise surprise number 2. Another fabulous birthday cake. This one has red shoes, a handbag and bottle of bubbly on it. So me! More bubbles flow. I really have been spoilt.

The sun is back out, so we sit on a bench eating our chips and taking in the surroundings before heading back to the apartment.

We return to our apartment for more drinks, some of that amazing birthday cake, and a game of Mr & Mrs. If you have never played this, you should. It is hilarious. My hubby and I always lose, as hubby is useless at answering the questions, even after nearly 12 years together!

It is time to draw the day to a close! It was everything I hoped for and more.

Tomorrow we head home. I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday weekend. I have my 6 friends and hubby to thank for that.

See the day here on my Youtube Channel: –

If you ever get a chance to visit the island you should.

It is here! I’m finally 50!

The day has finally come! I am now officially 50. I’m oddly excited about today. Yesterday was a great start to my celebrations. The day was just as I had hoped with the glorious sunshine, sea views and great friends.

I’m up really early. I’m like a little kid again. I can’t sleep with excitement. It isn’t like I’m waiting for my presents as my hubby has already given me that. It is just that I don’t want to waste a moment.

I look out of the patio windows from our bedroom and can see the sea. It is lovely and calm. Outside I can her the seagulls. It is such a perfect day.

Hubby makes me a cup of tea and I sit on the balcony taking in the views. It is really peaceful here. I’m soon ushered into the shower! Hubby and my friends are up to something!

As I walk back into the room, I notice they have now put up a ‘Happy Birthday’ banner along with a ‘50’ birthday balloon and decoration. My friends hand me cards and presents. A trip to Kew Gardens. I have always wanted to go so I am so excited.

My friends kick me out the kitchen while they cook me breakfast. I’m such a control freak when it comes to cooking so this is hard. Mind you, my friend is too, so she certainly gives me a run for my money! I don’t mind though as it is my birthday. I am happy to be spoilt. It isn’t every day you turn 50!

After a delicious cooked breakfast, we decide on the day’s agenda. It is another glorious day, so we don’t want to waste a moment of it. We decide to go to Croyde Bay. I used to stay there as a kid with my parents for our summer holiday. We would camp in our big orange 3-bedroom tent. I remember there was a children’s club on site which we used to go to. I absolutely loved it there. The camp site was just opposite the beach, so we almost rolled out of our tent onto the beach. It never seemed to rain for the whole 2 weeks.

It has all changed now. It looks all modern and probably a lot more expensive than 50 years ago. We didn’t go in this time as we had parked on the opposite side of the beach. The tide was out so there was a large expanse of sand to enjoy.

The rocks were full of muscles. This is where I got my love for them from. They are too small to eat now, but one day there will be a massive crop. In Dubrovnik, I ate them every day.

Lifeguards now patrol the beach. They look like they should be in Baywatch. I don’t remember that in my childhood either. The sea is now full of people body boarding. In my day it was just dinghy’s. We had one which mum and dad would take us out in every day. Mum would pack a picnic of crusty bread with cheese or ham, and squash. I don’t remember if there was cake or crisps, but I certainly remember the crusty bread!

We would sit amongst the sand dunes with our windbreaker. They were hot and the sand so light. I loved running up and down them. Now at 50 I’m more of a gentle stroller! Hubby and I had a lovely walk amongst the rocks and across the beach. I was feeling so nostalgic, but very happy.

We had brought my stepdaughters body board with us. I have to confess I had never done it before. Oh well, there is a first time for everything. While hubby watched the belongings, I joined my friends in the sea! When you first get in, it takes your breath away, but as soon as you get fully wet it was actually nice and warm. Mind you, maybe a strapless swimsuit was not the most appropriate swimwear to be wearing!

Ok, I am never going to win prizes for body boarding, but I had a great time.

After a few hours we headed back to the car. In the carpark there was an icecream stall. Well it would be rude not to, wouldn’t it? These were Judes icecreams. I have never heard of them before, but they were amazing. I may keep my eye out for them again.

Our other friends were coming down that day to join us for my birthday celebrations. We were not sure what time they would arrive but decided to head back towards the apartment. If they were near, they could come and join us.

Yesterday when we were in Bideford, we found an old ship that was now a bar. This seemed the perfect place to go and have a drink on my birthday. The weather had been great all day, so we sat on the deck enjoying the views.

We hadn’t heard from our friends so headed back to the apartment anyway to shower and get ready for the evening. Again, I was ushered into the shower. They really are sneaky folks my hubby and friends!

As I came back into the room, I was greeted by a beautiful chocolate cake with candles, and the obligatory ‘happy birthday’ song! They were really spoiling me. The cake had been made by the lady who looks after my dogs for me and was absolutely amazing in looks and taste.

It was time for champagne! Well it is my 50^th you know!

My other friends are sadly held up on the M5. It is going to be touch and go if they make it in time for dinner. I keep everything crossed.

Thankfully I get a message to say they are not far away. It’s going to be tight for them to get into their apartment, showered and changed, but they can just about do it. As they arrive, I greet them with cold beers and bubbles. It’s the least I can do. In return they hand me champagne – well what else – and a present! A voucher for me to choose an experience. I haven’t had time to look at it yet, but I can’t wait to see what delights await me.

We all head off to the restaurant. We go ahead to secure the table and to take the pressure off them a bit. We are eating at Moran’s on the seafront. It is the same place we had cocktails last night!

The food is delicious and the company great. This is just the birthday I wanted.

Check out my video of the day on my YouTube channel: –

We head back to the apartment for some more drinks before it is time to draw the day to a close.

This has been an amazing birthday. Everything I had dreamed of. I have my friends and hubby to thank for that. Tomorrow I am reliving another birthday from years ago!

Day 1 of my 50th Birthday Celebrations

It is official, I am now 50 years of age!

The celebrations started with a lovely meal out with my hubby at a local restaurant – Baraset Barn. The food there is amazing and the converted barn cosy, with a lovely atmosphere.

Thursday morning we were up early to head down to Devon to really start the celebrations. We have booked 2 apartments in Westwood Hoe for 8 of us. Hubby and I and 2 of our friends were starting on Thursday with the rest on Friday.

The weather was absolutely beautiful. As we couldn’t get into our apartment until 4 pm we decided to detour to Bideford. A quick stop off at Morrisons to get some supplies and lunch, we then headed to the sea front to find somewhere to sit and eat our lunch. It was so beautiful. We then took a walk along the sea front. I say sea, but it is actually an estuary taking you out to sea.

I recorded the day on my Youtube video here:

The apartment was ready a little earlier than expected so we decided to go and check it out.

It was just off the seafront in Westward Ho. I had upgraded to the Premier Apartment at Westbeach Resort. I wanted to wake up looking at the ocean on my birthday, so this was the best way to guarantee that. I am so glad I did. Our view was beautiful. We were looking right out across the sea.

The apartment itself was very modern. 2 bedrooms – 1 double – 1 twin, a nice bathroom with bath and rainfall shower, plus a kitchen which was fitted with fridge, freezer, oven and microwave. Even a proper coffee machine.

I quickly unpacked. Our friends were on route, and after a long journey down, I promised to get a cold beer and G&T ready for them.

When they arrived, we sat on the balcony enjoying our drinks. It was such a gorgeous day so we decided to go and explore Westward Ho.

It only took us minutes to be on the seafront. There were plenty of restaurants, bars and shops along the main promenade. It was very clean and tidy, with a lawned area, childens play area and a large array of planted borders. The tide was in, so you couldn’t see the sandy beach sadly.

After a walk around we decided to have a drink in Morans, an Asian restaurant that we had booked for the next night, for my actual birthday. We sat outside drinking cocktails and beer with prawn crackers! Well it would be rude not to!

Next door was a great fish and chip shop! As we were at the seaside it was the obvious place to go for dinner! A brass band was setting up outside, so we sat on a bench eating our fish and chips listening to the music. It was such a lovely evening.

We headed back to our apartment and sat on the balcony enjoying a few drinks. Slimline wine for me. It was a clear warm evening as we sat watching the sun set over the ocean. What a magical way to start my birthday celebrations.

Tomorrow is the big day!

Stay tuned to see what happened next. I will also be publishing the weekend on my Youtube channel so don’t forget to subscribe to my channel.

1969 was a great year!

1969 was a great year for many reasons in particular:

Richard Nixon became the 37^th president of the USA.
The Beatles gave their last public performance.
Boeing 747 became the largest aircraft and made its first commercial flight.
Concorde took its first test flight.
Sir Wally Herbert reaches the North Pole and becomes the first man to cross the frozen surface of the Arctic Ocean.
Judy Garland died.
Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon.
The halfpenny ceased to be legal tender.
Monty Python’s Flying Circus aired on BBC One for the first time.
Lundy Island was given over to the National Trust.

Oh, and not forgetting another important event! At 2.15 pm on 2 August a baby girl weighing in at 8.12lb came into the world! She was longer than the average baby, but then she always like to be different!

Yes of course that girl was me. I cannot believe that I have been around now for 50 years. It feels so old, but time seems to have flown by. It isn’t until you stop and look back on your life that the reality really hits you. If you have read my previous blogs, you will know that I am actually ok about being 50. I’m in a really good place in my life, and even though life throws me curve balls, I know with my hubby, together we will get through it.

I’m celebrating the day with some of my closest friends. We are off to Devon to relive probably one of my only real memories of my birthday as a child. When I say I don’t remember any others, it isn’t because I didn’t have a good childhood. Far from it. I had 2 of the best parents ever.

As my birthday falls in August, we were always on holiday, so the day tended to blend into the holiday more. Mum always got me a cake with candles on and they made a fuss of me, but could I tell you what else I did, then no. That was except for 1 very particular birthday.

We were in Devon and out to Ilfracombe for the day. There was a boat in the harbour, so Dad suggested we go have a look around it. What I didn’t know was that mum and dad had booked a trip to Lundy Island as a surprise for my birthday. That day has stayed with me forever. Not least because my parents won’t let me forget it! Not because of the Island, or the treat. Oh no! It is because as a very confident child, I wouldn’t allow anyone to help me board the boat! Splash – I was in the water! Yep that was me. Miss accident prone! As we didn’t have any spare clothes with me, I just had to dry off. Thankfully it was a warm day.

On the way back, when offered help, I declined again. I wasn’t going to fall in twice was I? Oh no of course I wasn’t!! Splash – yes in I went again!! My parents love retelling that story to whoever will hear it! Along with a few more incidents such as my zip line experience, which I won’t go into today, but still have the scars!

Despite that, I have such happy memories of that day. The excitement of being on a boat for the first time. Seeing the birds and looking around the Island was so special. It seemed only right then that for my 50^th I should go back and revisit the Island. Plus with it being 50 years under National Trust it seemed meant to be. I refuse this time though to fall in, so if help is offered, I intend to take it.

Sadly, I couldn’t get a boat actually on my birthday, so we are going the next day. I don’t mind because the whole weekend is my birthday. Well it isn’t everyday you turn 50 is it! I’m going to be milking it.

We have our own boat. Not the normal ferry. I have been liaising with Colin from Lundy Charters. We are going from Clovelly this time, which is apparently closer than from Ilfracombe. I am hoping to see Puffins, seals and dolphins, so will have my camera at the ready. I’m just hoping the sea is calm after the night before! We have a Thai Restaurant booked and no doubt there will be lots of bubbles involved!

We are starting the celebrations off tonight with a meal out. Just me and hubby. The question is, do I open his present and card tonight or take it with me? I’ve said I don’t know. I will have to decide later, I think.

We then head to Westward Ho for 3 nights with friends. My babies are staying at home as they don’t allow dogs on Lundy Island. I will miss them dearly, but they will be well looked after.

I don’t know what else we will be doing over the next few days. That is what makes it fun. Maybe fish and chips on the seafront. Our apartment overlooks the sea, so I’m excited to be able to wake up on my birthday looking at the ocean. Hubby doesn’t know it yet, but I will be expecting a cup of tea made of course by him, while I sit on the balcony admiring the view.

There are 8 of us in total, so whatever we do, I know it will be a good laugh.

Over the 50 years, I have learnt that if you have good family and friends, everything else isn’t as important. I’m the happiest I have ever been. I don’t know what the future will bring. I’m living for today. What I do know is that I have some amazing people around me. I feel the luckiest person alive to have my hubby, my fabulous parents and family. I have some great friends. Every one of them is different, but that is what makes them special.

I’m actually really excited about the weekend. I’m sad my parents won’t be there to spend it with me, but I will call them on the day. I never miss speaking to them on my birthday. They are amazing parents and love them dearly. No doubt I will be calling them a few times of the weekend. I know they will be waiting to hear if I made it on the boat and back without falling in!

So, I am embracing 50. I am thankfully for the memories I have already made, and looking forward to the new ones I will make in the future.

My advice is, don’t worry about the little things. Treasure those that are close to you and live life to the full. I’ve made mistakes over the last 50 years, but I don’t regret them. If I hadn’t lived the life I had, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Halloween

So how many of you think Halloween came from America? Well you would be excused if you did. America embraced the celebration of Halloween long before we did here in the UK.

The name Halloween comes from the name All Hallows Eve.

What you may not know, is that Halloween first came about from the Celts. So effectively, it originates from Northern Ireland, Northern France and here in the UK. In fact Ireland has a bank holiday around this time. The Celtic festival of Samhain was the start of what you know today. It is thought that people would light bonfires and wear costumes to keep away ghosts.

31st October marked the end of summer and the harvest. As we all know too well, we now move into dark and very cold winter nights. In days gone by, and probably a bit today, it was expected that more people would die during this time. Mostly from the cold, I would imagine.

All Saints day which falls on 1 November was designated by Pope Gregory III to honour saints. It was also said to be the start of the new year.

The Celts believed the night before the new year, the boundary between the living and the dead became blurred. It is thought that on Hallows Eve, or Samhain as it was then, ghosts of the dead, came back to earth.

They were said to damage crops and cause mayhem. The Celts felt that this made it easier for Druids (Celtic priests) to make predictions on the future. In those days, people relied on these predictions to help them through the long winters.

To celebrate this time, Druids built big bonfires, where crops and animals were burnt as a sacrifice. The Celts wore costumes of animal heads and skins, which is probably where the dressing up comes from today.

Women even thought that by doing tricks with yarn, tossing apple skins over their shoulder or throwing nuts into a fire, they would find out who their potential husband were.

When Rome conquered the Celts, they combined their own festivals with that of Samhain.

Feralia was toward the end of October where the Romans commemorated the passing of the dead. Together with celebration for Pomona, the goddess of fruit and trees they were combined with Samhain. Pomona was represented by an apple, and it is thought that the tradition of apple bobbing came from this.

So with its origins in Europe, how did it get so big in America? The simple answer is, from migrates from Ireland, many thought to have gone there around the time of the Potato famine.

It was in America, that the traditions of today of trick or treating came about. They would go from house to house collecting money or food.

By the 1800’s, some of the superstitions and religion had started to disappear from the celebrations. By the twentieth century it became what is it today.

The pumpkin became part our tradition from a couple of different old Irish tales. The first was that the Celts carved faces into vegetables, placed a light inside them of a candle or piece of coal, to light the way to their homes for the good spirits. In those days it was mostly turnips and squash.

The second is about a man called Stringy Jack. It is said that in the 18th Century, Jack tried to pull a fast one on the devil. Jack was a drunk. He asked the devil to go for a drink with him. When the bill came he had no money to pay for it, so he persuaded the devil to turn himself into a six pence coin. The devil did so, but instead of paying the bill, Jack put the coin in his pocket and left.

The devil remained until one day he felt guilty for what he did. He said to the devil that he would let him out if he promised to leave him alone for a period of time which varies depending on which story you read. The devil agreed. When the time was up he went after Jack.

Jack convinced the devil to go up a tree to get him an apple before going with him to Hell.

As he was climbing, Jack carved a cross in the tree, trapping the devil again.

Once again Jack’s conscious got the better of him. He agreed to let the devil down if he promised never to come for him again. The devil agreed.

When Jack dies, St Peter refused him at the gates of heaven because of his behaviour. The problem was that Jack had made an agreement with the devil, which meant he couldn’t go to hell either!

Eventually Jack was given a lump of hot coal by the devil to light his way through purgatory. Jack was said to have carried the coal inside a hollowed out turnip.

Irish families would place a turnip in their windows to stop Jack and other ghosts coming in. The scary faces were to frighten away anyone trying.

When Halloween arrived in America, immigrants decided pumpkins, which were plentiful there, were a better option for this tradition. They soon became know there as jack-o-lanterns.

Now you know where it came from – Happy Halloween!