My birthday

Yesterday was my birthday. I'll still share more of our German Christmas later but thought I'd first share about my birthday since my family might be wondering what we did.

We arrived home from Germany just before 12 midnight on Wednesday the 28th. We decided to treat ourselves with massages for my birthday the next day. Firstly we hardly ever plan anything in advance and we might have at least booked a few days in advance but arriving home so late we didn't have anything booked. So yesterday morning first thing we phone around to try and get an appointment. We phoned so many places and all were either fully booked or just not answering and not getting back to us after leaving messages and sending emails.

We decided to abandon that idea and I went and searched online for a pretty little village not too far from us to go for a drive and walk around. I found Bray-On-Thames, only about 30min from us where there is this pretty looking hotel on a little island. You can only get there by boat or by walking over the narrow bridge. And their website advertised afternoon tea from 2.30pm onwards. 

Bridge to Monkey Island, Bray

We had no food in the house so wanted to go for the full tea with sandwiches pastries and scones. We arrived a bit early so walked around the village first. Then went to the hotel where there wasn't much going on. We were pretty hungry by this stage so didn't care if we were going to be the only table! BUT then we were told that the afternoon tea is only served from January onwards! No idea why, probably because they're so quiet for some reason.

Doesn't matter we decide, as we saw a nice pub actually belonging to chef Heston Blumenthal who also has the Michelin starred Fat Duck restaurant in this same village. I wasn't initially in the mood for pub food on my birthday but at least this should be a more special kind of pub with really good food. We walked in only to be told that the kitchen has just closed!! No! I was so annoyed! 

Hind's Head, Bray

Andre had a Guiness and I had a hot chocolate which was served with some fudge on the side too which at least made me feel slightly better. I was ready to cry as my birthday wasn't turning out so good. But right then my sister surprised me with a phone call to wish me happy birthday so that made me feel much better! Thanks Simone! xx

We were meeting friends at a hotel near Heathrow for a fairwell dinner in the evening and considered just driving there early in the hope of getting something to eat at the hotel bar. It being the type of hotel you stay at just to be near the airport we were afraid they might not have too much to offer so drove to nearby Windsor instead. 

More thinking about my sister as it was a year ago that she was here with us in the UK. We spent a day in Windsor, the day before my birthday last year actually. We spent my birthday last year in London.

Windsor 28 Dec 2010 with Simone

Last year's birthday in London

Finally we found food in Windsor at 4pm and I decided to have a cocktail too to help improve this day!

With our tummy's finally filled and feeling much better we headed to the hotel to meet our friends. We thought we might just stay over at the hotel since we haven't spent much on my birthday and might as well both enjoy the evening with a few drinks. Quick stop at a pharmacy for eye make-up remover and moisturiser as I can't go to bed without removing my make-up!

(Can't believe I forgot to take a photo of the hotel since I've done so well documenting my birthday throughout the day until here!)

We ended up not staying over though. Had a good, but light dinner after having such a late lunch. And then sadly had to say good bye to our friends who left for Australia this morning. We'll miss them lots, but look forward to seeing them again sometime for a sunny diving holiday and hearing about their new adventures 'down under'.

photo instead of said friends having dinner at our house
earlier this month