Well, that’s another little notch on the gatepost of life.

To be honest, it wasn’t a day I had specifically marked on a calendar. The excitement and hysteria over birthdays are very long past, and now it’s just a case of another two fingers at the chap with his scythe.

The day started quietly enough. Daughter had said she might call up so I reckoned things would be quiet until mid afternoon. So I sat here in my dressing gown quietly trying to pluck up the courage for my annual shower. I had just decided I would have it after the next mug of tea when the door burst open and in marched Granddaughter the Younger, Big Dog, Grandson and Daughter in that order. I had to get dressed quickly so the shower will have to wait until next year.

Naturally, chaos ensued.

It was a very pleasant visit. The only victim was Penny who, being the canine embodiment of her master likes the quiet life. She tolerates Big Dog but gets a little jealous when Big Dog squirms over to me for a petting. For some strange reason Big Dog is under the misapprehension that I’m her long lost Daddy and demands endless affection off me. She’s a large black goofy animal so petting isn’t a problem. Except that it makes Penny somewhat jealous and this is signified by very dirty looks from Penny’s bed.

Later in the visit I thought it might be a good idea to clip Penny’s claws as Daughter is the only one who can do this little task. We went looking for Penny but she wasn’t to be seen anywhere. This of course was a grand excuse for a game for the Grandkids and they happily went off on a Penny-hunt. Granddaughter the Younger found her. She was hiding under a hedge in the front garden which is a new one on me. She’s never done that before. Like me, she’s just getting old and likes her peace and quiet. Ironically her nails didn’t need clipping so the vet must have done them when she was on the operating table.

The mob left late afternoon and peace descended once more on the Manor. As the old saying goes – it’s lovely when they arrive and lovely when they go. An afternoon of loveliness.

I did a little calculation the other day. I worked out how many days my father lived and added it to the date of my birth.

If my father was alive now he would have died last June.

I have outlived my Dad.

Fuck!