Surprise, Surprise!!!

By some gravitational realignment, Did's birthday ALWAYS falls on the 7th June. And for the same reason it ALWAYS falls the day before Bounty Day. Thus, sometimes his birthday slips quietly away. It didn't this year! He had a great day on the 7th June and an even greater evening with The Boys!! ...and just to make sure that it wasn't all a big mistake he had an even greater evening with The Boys on Friday night!!! So it came as no surprise when I told him that we were having a quiet dinner at Hillcrest with Tzarn and Corinna, Duane and Sarah on Sunday night.  We drove to Hillcrest and just before the gate he said "So, it's just the six of us?"  Naturally, I replied "Yes".

When we walked in the door, the first thing he spotted was Dars set up as DJ, and the dining room beautifully set up for a large dinner party.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo of his face! Later he said he thought I had made a huge booboo, and had booked us on a night when they were having a special function. Well he was right of course. But the special function was for him.  It took a while for the penny to drop!

Richard brought out the cake, and although by this time he understood what was going on, he was nonetheless having a little moment to take it all in.

A special and beautiful cake for a special and beautiful man

 Although still somewhat stunned he nonetheless managed to make a very gracious speech, thanking everyone for coming, Hillcrest for the amazing venue, the staff for excellent service, the Chefs for a wonderful dinner and Dars for her amazing DJ~ing

 

Did the knife blade touch the bottom? He's not telling

....someone suggesting he make a wish

A special comeradrie exists among those from Cascade...

Friends that are new are always true but there's never a friend like the old

the former are held with silken threads ~ the latter by anchors of gold

 Last November The Boys took a little sabaticcal out on Philip and Nisbet set up a special photo of The Hut taken from Philip. He has made six copies ~ one for each of them ~ on special photographic paper that allows the print to look 3D under special light. Each one is a limited edition and in fact, a unique edition because he's slightly altered each one!

 Dids was blown away by his gift, and further enchanted by the fact that his photo is Number 2/6. What an amazing gift! One that he'll definately treasure for all time

 Rob and Tina

 Naomi and Smoochie.....the little sweethearts

 Nomes, Moochie, Sonja, Trina and Darren

 Ernie, Jane and Cas. They look sedate now but just you wait Henry Higgins, just you wait!

Fitzy, George and Roscoe with Megan in the background waking Biggsy from a deep and dreamless sleep

 Pete, She Who Deserves A Medal, Trent and Joel

 Nicole, Meg and Pete

 Dars the DJ and her amazing setup with her amazing sound.
Norfolk's Top DJ

 Waiting for fine dining

 ...and enjoying good company

Mmmmm. Do I smell dark brown cake?

 The Terribubbly Two's

A gathering of friends and comrades

 Vinnie and Leonie

A pause in the discussion of the complexities of the multiverses

George, Ken and Cas

Lizzie and Rob

Sally and, and.....I just can't find the words. For either of them

 

 A more gentle ambience

 Roscoe applauding the evening...the dancing...the food ~ only he knows

 The beautiful Sonja

Cmon Dids. Let's me and you go wild

"Let the Midnight.....

  Specialalalalalalalal........

 Shine a light on me......

 Let the Midnight Special

 Shine it's ever lovin light on........

....Meeeeee

 Doesn't matter where the camera aim, it always seems to land on Trent

Joel and Nic showing the crowds how it's done

 Awwww. Won't anybody dance with me?

I will! I will! Me. Me. Me.

Dids and Lizzie. Is that the Cha Cha or the Paso Doble?

No words to describe - Cabaret style entertainment

Oh Dear. 

Oh Well.

A great night was had by all. Evidently.