At the birthday hop

Well, well, well it appears that despite all odds I've managed to make it to 30 years of age an event that whilst seems to leave other people panicking about old age and what not doesn't seem to be bothering me perhaps because I'M already looking forward to wearing slippers and drinking wine and of course moaning about things oh wait...too late for that.

Anyway to mark the event T.O.H booked a surprise trip away to Matlock Baths (that's the little Switzerland don'tyouknow!) I've mentioned before about the craftiness of T.O.H so the fact that they went to the lengths of actually bluffing buying things from Ebay, faking ringing the doorbell to pick up surprise presents and basically getting my entire family in on the plan shouldn't really come as a surprise.

Thats the look of both surprise and getting up at 6 in the morning.

I'm trying to look scared, sadly my enjoyment of cable cars is breaking through.

The view of Matlock somewhere in the mist.


In event of the cable car breaking down, I was clearly prepared to descend manually, although I might need to use both hands next time.


A stick and spot of sun light, that's all I need to keep me happy and Kendal mintcake of course.


Hmm a reflective me it may look like I'm pondering becoming thirty but really I'm thinking about sticks.

So yes a lovely two days eating cream teas of trains, wandering through old lead mines, learning about the lives of miners (basically rubbish from about the age of 7 including the opportunity to die from lead poisoning) pottering, eating fish and chips with masses of bikers, staying at the excellent Sunny Bank B and B and sticks lots of sticks.

I should mention again the great Sunny Bank bed and breakfast we stayed at, as well as the amazing restaurant they recommended called The Old Bakery in which I enjoyed the likes of grilled fresh trout in almond butter, field mushrooms stuffed with goats cheese and red onion and of course T.O.H's company (which is always a treat)

anyway couldn't wish for a better birthday, now I'm wondering what's in store for my fourtieth!