To all my boys and girls

I think it was very clever of you all to come to the party. If it hadn't been for the backup of Dad and Steve, I would never have made it. Thank you Steve for arranging for my hair appointments and thank you Cathy for your support at the Travelodge and for your work in altering my clothes to fit a thinner Mum. A lot of thanks also go to Julian and Ruth for the three weeks rest in Les Cougieux and to Hugh for driving me round all those lovely Provencal villages. I know what you mean about Julian, Ruth - I feel the same about his Dad. Thank you to Julian for allowing us to use your car. I am so glad you are managing your touring, Ruth and glad that the Audi is doing a good job. I have been counting up all the presents which people have given me. Thank you to Pete and Jan for the beautiful bed cover and for the many other things we have found, like nuts and sweets and the Morecombe and Wise film DVDs. Thank you to Nic and Jen for the scrumptious Thornton's chocs and the lovely presents which Ivy and Bobby sent. I am reading Bobby's book and finding it so interesting. Thank you Ken and Prim for coming - I know it is not very far but it was lovely to see you both and to talk to you. I know what an effort it must have been. The roses were lovely and also the golden picture frame. I am sorry that I could not talk to everyone as much as I would have liked. I hardly spoke to Ruth and to Val, but I was in a world of my own, seeing my cousins and friends and Steve's relatives. What lovely children they are. I hope Mandy enjoyed herself and she was watched over very carefully by an expectant John. I know all the children enjoyed themselves and all made friends - which is nice! You don't know what it is to a grandmum to see all her children looking so lovely and getting along so well. I am sorry that I didn't see enough of Gemma and William nor to Clive and his Mum and Dad. The photos are all smashing and it will be a hard job to find the best. I agree, Ruth the Blogger is wonderul and enables us all to talk to each other - just like being in the same room. Lets all hear it for Julian. I am also amazed at how you have all been able to adapt to this wonderful technology. I would appreciate it if you all signed off in you own name. I thought Cathy had scored all the goals!! You seem to have worked it all out, Georgina. What clever children. It was a great joy to me to lunch at the Crown with you all- what a pub full of Merrows!! Also to our visit to the top of Chinnor Hill on such a glorious day. Last of all, Thank you to our lovely Fay and for all the support she has given to our family. Her family is very like ours, so supportive to each other. With grateful thanks to you all from Mum, - Nana - Grandma and Margaret.