90th Birthday Party

Now I know I wrote the last entry, proclaiming how rushed off my feet I am, but some things are more important than work, and my Grandfathers 90th Birthday party was 1 such occasion. Having missed numerous family events over the last few years including my sisters wedding, I was determined to try my hardest to make this one. The location of the party was also very special to the whole family, as it is where we gathered 22 years ago to celebrate my Great-Grandfathers 100th Birthday.
So on Friday afternoon, I ran away from the ship, jumped on a ferry, and began a marathon journey to make it back to the Gower in Wales for the party.
I had kept my attendance a surprise as I didn't know till the last minute whether drydock progress would enable me to go, or not. The journey there involved 4 countries in 12 hours, beginning in Denmark, then the ferry to Sweden, a flight to Stansted, and a long drive to Wales.
I arrived on Saturday morning, and bumped into 1 of my cousins who told me my parents and grandfather were walking along a beach. We met as they were walking back along the beach, and it was a great suprise greeted with hugs all round and a few tears. Then it was back to the hotel to meet up with more family before heading to Caswell Beach with the next generation of the family.

It was a place that I had spent lots of time as a child, and I soon reverted back to my youth, taking off my shoes, and messing around in rock pools with my nephew and his cousins.

Then it was back to the hotel to meet yet more of the family and have a good catch up and an afternoon swim.

The family soon divided into the swimmers and the drinkers. Surprisingly I was in the swimming category. Although it was more a splashing session than a swimming session.

Saturday night saw 26 of the family gathered for an excellent meal and far too much drink. The cobwebs and hangovers were soon blown away on Sunday morning as we all headed out for a nice walk along the cliffs.

I say nice. Its all fairly relative, and maybe strong winds, cold temperatures, and rain aren't everyones idea of fun, but it didn't seem to bother any of us. Although the nice bar and comfy sofa were very welcome on the return to the hotel. Even better was been able to share the sofa with my Dad and Nephew.

Then it was time for the big event of the weekend, and my Grandfathers birthday lunch. He shared blowing out the candles on the cake with 3 of his great-grandchildren, who then proceeded to demolish as much of the cake as their parents would let them.

Then unfortunately for me the weekend was over, and another marathon journey lay ahead. This time it was a cross country drive to Gatwick, and a late night flight back to Denmark.

So a very busy weekend, a very long way to go, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world!