An excellent weekend was had by all invitees to Janet’s big birthday bash. What a top idea of Janet’s to hire the Clun Youth Hostel, which easily accommodated the diverse mix of family and friends who came together, from all corners of the UK, to celebrate a special birthday. The setting was superb: overlooking a lush Shropshire farming valley and nestled in the village of Clun, which was complete with a castle and, of course, the odd pub or two. The photos feature the youth hostel, a pair of silly hats and the gorgeous cake—decorated with a selection of Janet’s interests: tennis, crosswords, books, and a tomato-filled greenhouse—made by our talented sister, Lee. The buzz in the hostel was at max volume for our two days stay with a selection of background of music that spanned Janet’s lifetime. We should have stayed for a week with all the activities that were on offer: walking, cycling, juggling, puzzles, newspapers by the tree load, lots and lots of conversation and a birth-year-based quiz that really brought out the competitive nature of the gathered crowd. There was even the opportunity for a little strummerly on the uke with the generous and obliging Sam (would you play it again, Sam?). Food. And, boy, was there food: a cooked breakfast, roasts (plural), homemade cakes (plural plus), vast vats of spag bol, local cheeses, kegs of beer, dozens of wine etc etc. The quantum and quality of food was such that our bro has coined a new Parry family motto ‘Scientes numquam in eisdem – Never knowingly undercatered’. Eee, what a grand time we ‘ad.