Birthday walk and Twister

Birthday

I had a fantastic birthday weekend! Saturday we finally got around to going to see the new Star Wars (possibly some of the last people in Britain to do so!). 

On Sunday the weather was amazing. Which is extremely unusual for my birthday! So Mom, Dad and I went out for a walk. All I know is it was somewhere near Swindon.

Peaceful.

Bugs!

Though some clouds appeared, it was pretty much blue skies, though the wind was a little chilly. Dad and I had fun taking photos, while mom wandered ahead.

Slightly stormy skies

Mom doing what she does

Dad does what he does

It was a little muddy in part but that was a great way to break in my new walking shoes. It was probably because we didn't exactly pick the most used trails. And did get a little bit lost. But you really can't get that lost around there. For long any way.

A little muddy

Long path (hopefully towards home)

Eventually we found the road and the way back to the car. There is a common the other side which was very nice to sit watching. But it did get a little chilly. (Plus Mom had a cake to make!)

Beautiful day

Happy faces

Though when we got home, first thing first: nap time!

Tired out.

On the evening, we went over to Kerry and Craig's and they cooked us dinner. I was really surprised as they went to a lot of effort and decorated as well. It was brilliant and so sweet.

Very fancy

Decoration.

The cats weren't as impressed. In fact Harley made her displeasure at not getting fed our food quite well known. They had said she could be smelly. But she farted and we pretty much had to evacuate the room! I have never smelt anything quite like that before. And hope I never do again.

Smelly cat

Holly was less bothered.

Chilling.

Over Christmas I brought some wine from Groupon which sparkles. Literally. It simmers. I have given a few out as presents but had no idea what they tasted like, so we decide to open one. Thankfully it was quite nice. And very pretty to boot.

Gold wine

Sparkling in a different sense

Of course having played with the cats, Norman the snake wanted to join us as well. I am not the greatest of snake fans. But apparently he is a very chilled out snake. He certainly likes to explore. 

Norman, coming for me

Gymnastics

Not sure where he's going

Dad and Norman.

That is a very long snake

And then I got to hold him. This was not my idea!

Seriously no idea where he thinks he's off to.

Making friends

The dinner was really nice which desert AND birthday cake. (Bang goes the diet for the week.) And lots of Prosseco! Which made the after dinner entertainment even more entertaining: twister.
Mom and Dad have never played before. I don't think Mom quite got the hang of it as she keep using Dad as support. Either that or her competitive side came out.

hello

Getting assistance

Mom sabotaging dad!

Kerry and Craig were pretty good at this!

Getting close

Me, not so much. I remember it being a lot easier as a kid.

Not comfortable

Timber!

Quite impressive

The last game was everyone (bar Mom who spun the wheel). There really is not enough room on there for 4 adults.

Having a hug (and helping balance)

Mom was taking the photos her and she managed a very impressive one where Kerry's head moved off her body. No idea how she did this!

No idea how this photo happened.

It was an amazing day and one of the best birthdays I have had in a fair few years. I loved it. Thank you to everyone for my cards, messages and presents.
It is nice being home!

Thank you for all my cards, presents and messages.

Hen and Stag day

As Kerry and Craigs wedding is coming, this weekend was the Hen and Stag do. They decided to have it on the same day and same place and had an activity day with girls vs boys. So I didn't get any photos of the boys activities. It was all very top secret and competitive. 

The girls first activity was segway. I also didn't get any photos of the segway as there was no way I was taking my camera on those. They were fun though we had to follow the instructor around a track whereas the guys apparently got let loose, which I think is unfair. Mom wasn't much of a fan and had some issues turning so frequently went off on her own.

We then switched with the boys to do clay pigeon shooting.

Looking nervous when seeing us all.

There were 2 stations and 3 different birds. We all hit at least one though for one station we needed help holding the gun. It was really heavy! Though they had no kickback which helped and was an improvement over the last shot-gun I fired.

The Hen started

It was interesting seeing my mom with a gun. She was pretty good too!

My mom. With a shot gun

 Though she did need some help in closing only one eye. So a makeshift eye-patch was used. (Others just used glasses with one lens blacked out but she didn't know this was an option at that point.)

With her makeshift eye-patch

Taking a go

My cousin Marie enjoying guns WAY too much

I preferred the second one I tried as the gun was lighter and I felt I actually hit them myself instead of the instructor helping me. A lot. I ended up getting 6 on one station and 3 on the other. Which, considering I didn't expect to hit any, I think is great.

Let loose

After lunch (which was thankfully indoors so we could warm up a bit), the girls started with sniper shooting. This was my favorite activity. I could have done this all day.

Kerry, sniper shooting

Happy with her time

You had to shoot 4 targets, at different heights, as quickly as possible, with the time starting when you hit and knocked down the first target.

bit scary with a sniper rifle.

Our target range.

Mom with the sniper rifle.

Every one focused on beating the boys.

The last activity was archery. And I think most of us were dreading having to go back outside. The sniper hut wasn't exactly warm, but the wind kicked up and out on the archery range it was freezing!

Cold but ready.

First wave of archers

 I enjoyed it and was reasonably good at it. However we all were so cold at this point, we were quite glad to be finished.
Kerry and Craig had brought some bucks fizz to have at the end and I made some cupcakes. So we all warmer up a bit inside while they sorted out the results of the competition.

Bucks Fizz!

Kerry and Craig.

Unfortunately the girls didn't win anything. Though we think we were swindled as there were only 9 of us and 11 guys. We think there was some fixing going on. But dad was happy as he got a third place and got a medal. And Craig got a silver. Kerry ... not so impressed.

Dad, pleased with his medal.

On the evening, after everyone had a chance to go home and warm up, we had a few tables at an Indian for dinner. The food was ok, but it took ages to get food! Some of them (including my dad) went out after but I was exhausted and already a fair bit tipsy, so went home with mom. 

The day was fun. I loved the sniper shooting and archery. But my arms really ache today! :)

The whole group.