Unforgettable Tuesday

A lot of my life is unforgettable on account of I have this blog as an aide memoire! Yesterday really took the biscuit though.  Finally finished a painting in the morning and went from studio to lunch with Norbert and Louise to say goodbye to those restless spirits, Max and Andrea...

...who are having interesting travel arrangements due to the closure of Barcelona airport. They had been going from there to Milan and then off to other exotic places but now have to drive to Madrid instead, Grist to Max's mill; Andi probably used to it by now. They are off on Friday, it seems. 

Madness.

Supercharging healthy lunch from Louise, thank heavens, (and many thanks to Louise) as the evening saw me at Chateau Rushton for Johns 70th. The splendor of his party ameliorated his anxieties about age somewhat.

 Twenty - twenty-five? Cant count- family and friends gathered to celebrate the old boys continued presence on planet. Some Esperazannaise; some from further afield, grossly further afield in some cases. Here is Johnny with Frankie, his daughter - who (with his son Max) he had not been expecting. They live in the real world and couldn't get away; but they did, and he had them sprung on him by John and Sue, just before the party. What a birthday treat :)

 We had stuffed peppers; roast lamb with all the bits,; cheese; birthday cake.
Here is Johnny putting out the candles on his cake, hoho.

 The cheesecake was easier - cheeses piled high and stuck with flags commemorating significant events in his life.

 The cake was from Serrannos bakery in Esperaza and again they made it clear why they win major prizes. It was an Omlette Norvegienne, which is a kind of terribly sophisticated ice-cream cake. Then John gave a sweet speech about friendship, family and love and there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

 Max and Frankie did a return speech which was hysterical :) After which - fireworks. Much, I'm sure, to the neighbours delight.

As we were about to return to the house, some of us caught sight of the shooting star that the heavens threw at us - magic. Little understated but nice try.

I was in bed just after 2.00am, for me a marathon day. Saw the very full moon with a fierce and vast corona.  Can spend today in recovery, before going to collect Bob from the airport.