Menorbulations And Salutations for Final Friday Feature

That time of the month here at DoWY when something more unique than other posts features; it can be a poem, a short story, a reminiscence, an experience, an event... whatever you think deserves a little more focus. Indeed, it could be a point back to a favourite or popular post from earlier years on your blog. I offer the FFF merely as a prompt and inspiration to put a post up for the final Friday of each month. Go on, have a go. See the 'rulez' page up there on the banner bar.

For my own offering this month, I bring you the reason for making such a trek into the easternmost parts of East Anglia.

Mac 2 (the third of the Mac Clan Siblings) turned her 60th birthday (last Monday) into a week-long family gathering. She, Mac1 and Mac3 (with his new sidekick, Wizard the Viszla, seven months of legs and tail) arrived at Nelly Cottage on the 23rd, and I drove up in The Grey on the evening of the 25th. 

Wizard and I made firm acquaintance right from the start, but he knows who is 'dad' and the boss of all things foodable. We had an excellent ol' natter and catch up, and the two younger sibs checked over The Grey, having only seen him as a photograph until now (and yes, Hilary M-B, The Grey is a 'he'... or 'it').

It was an early night as Mac2 had planned to run six miles for her sixtieth, including two laps past the gates of the now derelict Halesworth Hospital... where she was born. Having successfully completed that challenge for herself (accompanied by the athletic Mac3 and keen supporter Mac1), they returned to collect the geriatric YAMster, and we walked around to the common ground, where Macs 2 and 3 further ran, but this time in the actual shape of figure 60. I was so impressed with my sister for undertaking such an effort to mark her birthday.

We worked out that the last time we four were all together in Suffolk was 1975... crikey. A few tears, laughs, adventures, and life lived in the years between!

After lunch, the younger three headed off to Southwold Beach for a dook in the North Sea, and I rested at the cottage. For the evening party, they had a BBQ, and I had rice and curry. 

There were bubbles...

L-R: Mac1, YAMster, Mac3, Mac2

It was a genuinely super day for Mac2 and us as the end-line of this branch of the MacLean clan. When this plan was first mooted, I didn't know I would have wheels, so I anticipated missing out. What a joy to have been able to join in, after all.

Now, as you read this, I am travelling again. The next scheduled destination will ultimately be Tigger's Castle but am taking a long and winding route to get there. Not sure when the next post will be - partly dependent on cell reception and time. You'll know when it appears...

Cheers!