I reported a few weeks ago on the lovely and very well-chosen early birthday gift from Doug – a swift and ball winder!  Today is my actual birthday (55!), and I received this:

This gorgeous bunch of flowers is so large, it was hard to photograph.  It is well over a meter tall.  Here is a close-up of some of the flowers, including the orchids:

I am having a quiet birthday, having just returned yesterday from Johannesburg.  I had a very short but hectic trip there, where I was teaching for the business school.

Last week was Doug’s birthday and we had booked a six course taster menu with wines at Orwell’s in Shiplake.   On the day we were there, Orwells was appointed Restaurant of the Year 2017 by the Good Food Guide.  I think they were in the mood to celebrate and our 6 course taster menu had at least 8 courses, maybe 9, with an equal number of excellent wines. It was unbelievably good.  Tonight, we are going to The Crooked Billet in Stoke Row, another fabulous restaurant.  One of The Crooked Billet’s claims to fame is that George Harrison played there one night, late into the evening, and some locals called the police to complain about the noise!  We are looking forward to another great meal tonight.  By the time our anniversary gets here next week, we will probably be in the mood for grilled cheese on the couch by the telly.  Having both birthdays and the anniversary within a two week window is obviously poor planning – much better to have spread them out across the year.

I didn’t make much progress on my knitting during my trip, but the Tinder cardigan is moving along.  I have finished the back and started on a sleeve, as you can see below.  I have also made some progress on Doug’s cowl though you will have to wait for photos.

I have also splurged this morning and ordered myself a birthday gift from me.  Marie Wallin has a new sweater design called Wren, made from Baa Ram Ewe wool.  I pre-ordered myself a kit.  Look at the beautiful colours in this lovely jumper:

That’s all from here.  I wish everyone a lovely weekend with lots of knitting.