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| The Midgleys at breakfast |
The Americans have just enjoyed Thanksgiving, Christmas is around the corner, and today I turned 41 - an equally momentous day (for me, anyway).
The day started with a lack of water at home (which is now quite normal for a weekend morning), but it definitely picked up from there! First was a spread-and-a-half for breakfast, then loads of "Call of Duty" deaths, several phone calls and SMSes from South Africa, wrestling with the boys, taking photos, and at the end of the day a most phenomenal supper - roast leg of lamb and (my favourite) Pavlova pudding. Whatever benefits I've gained from all the cycling recently were instantly wiped away!
But the cherry on top was that Anri Louise, long-lost compatriot from South Africa, chose to return to Madagascar today, replete with presents for moi - biltong, nuts, chocolate ... and more. (Biltong, to explain to non-South Africans, is an SA speciality similar to beef jerky, but just on a much more heavenly plain.) I felt most blessed and spoilt by the Midgleys, who have so graciously adopted me, as well as all my other friends and family!
Along with the amazing meals, and the unexpected gifts, I was also showered with "compliments" from the Midgley boys.
Justin: Uncle Rob, you're really interesting and intelligent. I listen so hard to you speaking and then when you're finished I realise I wasn't actually listening and I didn't understand anything you said.
Jeremy and Andrew: We created a wii mii (the little characters for Nintendo wii) that looks just like you! (He was overweight, balding and wore a permanent scowl) ... Thanks boys!
Reece: HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (Then, quieter in the next room) There, Mommy, I said it, okay! And later: Uncle Rob, you really don't look that old!
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| Midgley # 1, Midgley # 2 and mii ... |
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| Anri, 2 boys, a Pavlova and two parents. Don't you just love the shock and horror on Reece's face? |
And yes, the title of this post is once again a quote from Ashleigh Brilliant.
