The Baynhams

Today was truly a wonderful day. It was exactly what I had wanted for my 40th Birthday. Cards and presents in bed, hilarious video messages from my Mum and sister in Ireland that were being played and replayed long after they were gone to sleep. Messages from friends far and wide and some unexpected photos taken on my birthday nearly 20 years ago by my american cousin Andrea that made the kids laugh and laugh at the youthful appearance of their mum, Granny, Grandad Joe, Uncle Joe and Auntie Carrie! I'd like to think we haven't changed that much but by the howling laughter I'm not sure.

There was an amazing tropical spread of fresh fruits and warm pastries for breakfast prepared by Byron and the kids followed by numerous cups of tea and some vegging while the girls finished some homework assignments. This afternoon we drove into Newcastle and walked along the beach at Nobby's head and Merewether. I handed the camera over to the girls and had fun being on the other side of the lense for a change.

We walked until the sun dipped low in the sky and everything glowed warm and orange, then zipped up jackets and took refuge in the cozy Merewether surf house cafe with it's gas heaters and pretty mosaic tea-light holders. We had built up an appetite and tucked into fresh pizzas and salty chips with garlic aioli, then walked back to the car in darkness with the moon sparkling on the breaking waves and the city lights twinkling in the distance. There were phone calls when we got home to family overseas and just as the night was drawing to a finale Sian brought out a homemade cake that knocked my socks off! (A separate blog post on that, I promise!)

I went to bed tired but oh, so happy! Is it all downhill from here I asked myself ...?