Grandma's Birthday...

If Grandma thought she was on the internet then she would be lost for words for the second day running! Lynn and Joan had planned a family party for mum and, in spite of some close shaves, managed to keep it from her!
We had planned to stay at Mandy's on Friday night but unfortunately she was away visiting friends. So Chris, Melanie and I stayed at Mike and Christines. It was a long drive with long delays as we left the M6 to join the A14.
It was nice to catch up with Mike (who paid a fleeting visit) who was busy with University meetings etc., Christine (who has purchased a new Cycle helmet, among other things) and David (who popped in on his way home from work) Good food, Good wine and good company. Slept well and after breakfast (Michael back to work; on a Saturday!) we said our farewells and set off for Hadleigh.
I was using the SatNav; Melanie was impressed but Chris found the instructions misleading.
To say Grandma was surprised to see us, was an understatement. She had had a good day yesterday (her birthday was 29th) and was full of the fact that Ben had telephoned her from USA to wish her happy Birthday.
Needless to say she insisted on cooking dinner for us (we offered to go to the chippy)!
After dinner we looked at the 'memory book' Lynn had made for her birthday and looked at birthday cards etc. A walk up the garden, to pick apples (eating) and Chris found a number of walnuts (these ended up in the bag as well). The garden spiders are everywhere...
Grandma had told us that Joan and Phil were coming to visit her tomorrow so you can imagine the 'shock' when Joan, Phil, Amy, Lucy and her friend, Amy's David and Luke together with David's parents, turned up just before 2:00 pm. Mother anounced that now Joan was there Lynn would visit as well! Little did she know...
In among all this Luke had spotted a baby grass snake going across the lawn...
Ron and Gladys arrived at 2:00, followed by Lynn and Pete. Mother was getting more and more bemused. Then when Robert, Susan and Helen arrived she was obviously so pleased but at the same time bemused. How had we all kept it from her? Who had known about it? Did dad know? etc. Joan and Lynn had provided food so mother had to just sit and enjoy the family gathering. Lucy's Ian arrived later, after watching his beloved Liverpool lose to Bolton (Melanie wasn't impressed either)
Part way through the afternoon a group photograph was taken. I've put a full sized version (with labels for Ben) on the family Wiki. It was a very enjoyable 'Grandma day'! Sadly, at 5:30ish, we had to make our way back to Liverpool. So after fond farewells we left them all to "party on!"
The Journey back was OK. Brief stop for a leg stretch at Stafford Services and back by 10:00 pm.
Grandma has phoned this morning and was full of yesterday. She is looking forward to Mandy and Dave visiting next weekend.
We've been to the Farmer's Market, to M & S (Warrington) to purchase uniform for Mel and the usual Sunday jobs. No walk this weekend but I've mannaged to catch up with the Blogs. Cumbria tomorrow and Rochdale Tuesday...
No rest for the wicked...
Happy Birthday Mum!