Norm is 50

Yesterday my good friend Adrian (aka Norm) reached the milestone of 50 so last night he, his family and a gang of us went to Pezzo's in Romsey to celebrate.

Adrian is part of my "Jersey" friends from the five years I spent there in the early 80's. They are a great group and although we should be better at getting together than we are, whenever we do get together I always have a great time.

Last night was no different. I liken this group of friends to those kind of friendships made at university. We may not see each other for weeks/months/years (Smutley!) but when we do meet up we just drop back into our friendships as if we had seen each other a couple of days ago. We all have them.

Adrian lives in Ruislip, but it was only natural that he should come down to Hampshire where he grew up , to be with us all on his big night. His Mum was there, she had written a great poem about him, his sister and her husband, one of his nephew's together with Adrian's wife, Dawn and his daughter Kelly and his son Sam. One of the gang couldn't be there as he lives across the pond just outside Cincinnati, so he rang up half way through the meal, what a great touch!

The restaurant was good overall, hot food promptly served. The only small complaint was the lighting which was dim! In fact mobile phones were being used so that the menu could be read by the light from the screens!

Large amounts of wine were consumed and one or two may have woken this morning with thumping heads.

The photo shows his birthday cake, like me Adrian is a Saints fan so the cake is in the clubs colours with his name on the back and his age.

A great night...next it's "the great DA's" 50th at the end of February. That will be a curry..probably!