It’s been a very long time since I celebrated on my birthday at Fort Martin, but as usual, I’ve managed to stretch the celebrations out as long as possible over several days! I was very happy to do so this year, especially with an ‘out of bed and into the river’ start making a suitably mad beginning. And it is, after all, the village where I celebrated my first birthday!

And to be presented with fresh coffee and pastries afterwards was superb!

The following hot shower and brunch set me up well for the drive to Loddington.

Garden jobs, visits and chat filled the birthday, as well as making use of the warm ambiance in the Mediterranean Zone for a quiet night cap.

I was also set to work in the garden to harvest some produce!

And got sung Happy Birthday to!

And my best present arrived just in time.