Heavenly Beverley : An Excellent Birthday for An Excellent Bloke

We actually began preparations for the last birthday party of this year on the previous day.

Most unusual for us.

With a "P" theme, we'd decided to entertain the troops as a pirate and his parrot. Michael rediscovered two earring piercings he hadn't used for thirty years or so and duly filled them with some seaworthy pieces.

I'd had my hair coloured purple by the indispensable Kerryanne of U Beauty Country. She'd also attacked my eyebrows, upper lip and witchy-poo hairs on my chin. At least I no longer resembled John Howard.

We set off armed with costumes, pillows, medication, earl grey tea, ground coffee and Michael's coffee plunger. We have learnt that these are essential items on any expedition. When Michael is in hospital, the smell of fresh coffee always attracts nurses to his room. Like all the best scouts, we like to be ready for any circumstances.

Our digs in Palmyra was a dinky little granny flat, whose host was the cheerful and generous Noel. There was no air conditioning, which didn't matter as the day was only warm. The bathroom had seen better days, but the price was right and the location perfect. Our affable host even gave us a lift to the party. What a man!

Only a few guests had arrived before us. We found Leigh, the birthday boy and Jen, his outstanding missus. Jen's Italian family had been cooking all day. Narelle on the bar was producing some wickedly alcoholic cocktails. Photographer "Peter Parker" started snapping the happy attendees. Leigh excelled as a "Protester". Jen was his "Present". The DJ (Jen's brother) was fantastic, the music was age appropriate for old farts and the company reminisced through the ages. Some idiot "Prisoner" thought I was a "Possum". After a suitable torrent of abuse, I reflected he may have been correct...

The food, needless to say, was delicious and plentiful. The night wore on and as an increasingly middle-aged party pooper, I became very tired. And very cold. I had forgotten Fremantle's "Doctor" cooled down the suburb even after the hottest day. Who would have thought I'd need a cardigan in late December?!

I retreated indoors after the speeches to curl up on the couch. Leigh's daughter Hayley was costumed as "Pauline Pantsdown". He has done a fantastic job of raising Hayley and his brother Kieran. I snoozed as guests came and went. Finally, I summoned my darling husband and we UBERed out of Fremantle back to our Airbnb.

A decent sleep-in and we left Noel's abode just after eleven o'clock. We dropped in to wish the birthday boy and his awesome wife a final farewell. A partygoer was still asleep on the couch. This happens when those of us who are aged stay up past our bedtime.

Leigh and Jen are wonderful friends. We do not see them as often as we'd like. Leigh joined us in August to honour the other Leigh (Doust), who died soon after a devastating diagnosis of cancer. Jen has been to hell and back in 2018, following her own significant brush with breast cancer. I gave Jen permission to smack me after I asked if she is well. She is. And she didn't whack me.

We drove home to a gasping garden. The heat had hit some of our pots very hard. We have watered yesterday and now today as well. I dropped Vanessa to Midland Station so she could attend her New Year's Eve party at her friend's house.

We are looking forward to 2019. With Jan and Greg and Macca, we are watching the telly. I can't think of a better way to celebrate New Year with Michael.

Enjoy the passing of 2018.