Mum's birthday

To Edgware by car with Lorraine today to see Mum on her birthday. A decent drive up there. We stopped for a cup of tea, and to give her some presents. The throw and pillows had already arrived, and we gave her some new pots and pans, to replace the venerable ones she uses. Lorraine drove us to The Waggon and Horses where we got a seat by the fire. Curtis, behind the bar, and Mum's crew, who call her a geezerbird, all cheerily greeting her and Steve shaking my hand and wishing me merry Christmas and happy new year.

Just after we'd eaten Toby called  from Bali fresh from a yoga session-- thinking that we'd be together. So Mum got to speak to him on her birthday too. Very cheery in the Waggon, and Lorraine had a chicken shish like me, and was surprised at how genuinely excellent they are there.

Home again and we sat by her fire in the living room. Neighours Emma and Gail dropped off some presents for her, and Wynford dropped in too with a gift. He sat chatting with us for a while, saying the name Pease Pottage, near where Lorraine used to work at Bolney, made him laugh. So nice to see Mum visited by neighbours, and being famous and much loved fixture in the Waggon.

Lorraine drove us home. The M25 was in a benign mood and we got home in around two hours. A lovely day, the only thing I regret is not taking any photos. Numbskull! 

To bed later, reading The Sea by John Banville, which Innis had bought me for my birthday.