For the last few years we have marked Dad’s birthday with a day trip out. A couple of years ago we drove to Blythburgh, up the coast from Ipswich. The weather was warm and sunny (in February!) and we had a hot chocolate in the back garden of the White Hart pub overlooking the beautiful mud flats of the river Blyth, followed by a wander up to the churchyard and back along the river, where blossom trees were starting to flower. It was beautiful.

This time last year on his birthday we went for breakfast at The Crown in Westleton. The chef made an amazing eggs royale, and for dad he served it on a slate platter, on which he piped ‘Happy Birthday’ in hollandaise sauce. Dad loved it! Afterwards, we walked along the beach at Dunwich. Dad struggled a bit with the walking and getting in and out of the car, but I am so glad we did it. Not long after this we entered lockdown, and Dad wasn’t able to leave the house again.

This year, the 25th February is Dad’s 85th birthday. He missed it by 3 ½ weeks. Although going out on a day trip has been traditional on his birthday, we can’t do that this year. Instead we are resurrecting another family tradition of ‘Thursday cheese and wine night’. Mum and dad would always collect my kids from primary school on a Thursday and when I picked them up after work we would get out the stilton, the brie, and Dad could never resist a good strong cheddar. This was washed down with a glass of wine.

So please raise a glass and a piece of strong cheddar to my Dad tonight and wish him a Happy Birthday!!