Oh, what a tangled web we weave
When first we practise to deceive!

Marmion - Sir Walter Scott

Nigel’s Mum and Dad reached their 60th wedding anniversary on March 30th. Obviously the event could not pass without significant celebrations. Consequently, and unknown to Eric and Christine, the family have been plotting since Xmas 2015.

Eric and Christine expected a small gathering of close friends and local family members. They had no idea that we would arrive from Abu Dhabi or that Daniel and Rebecca  would make the trip all the way from New Zealand.

Since Christine is an avid Facebook stalker we knew that there could be no online leaks. So Daniel and Rebecca’s visit to Abu Dhabi, our trip together into Oman, Daniel’s birthday at the Alila Hotel and their trip from Dorset to the Lake District in England, all went completely under the radar.

The result was a well orchestrated, double surprise when Eric and Christine turned up for quiet dinner at the home of Nigel’s sister Sue and husband John.

No heart attacks but lots of tears,  smiles and hugs.

Now we can finally share some photographs…

20th March – camping in Oman

A three night, four day trip began at Jebel Mischt. We walked in the mid-day heat to the swimming hole where low water levels and some cool shade meant that we were all content to just soak our feet.

Another exciting decent on the same unfinished road that we discovered with Tony and Jean took us to Nizwa and into the fort and surrounding souk.

From here we headed up to the Jebel Ahkdar plateau which at 2,600m guarantees a change in climate. We got a little more than we bargained for! A wild thunderstorm drove us to our tents at 8pm and kept us all awake (and some of us slightly damp) until 2am.

A short stay in the Alila Hotel felt like suitable compensation for last nights’ thunderstorm under canvas experience. A fabulous 5* resort in a dramatic location. Daniels’ birthday had provided the excuse to book this and it was the perfect way to end this Oman excursion.

Another day in Abu Dhabi and then Daniel and Rebecca flew to London and a week of touring that took them from Dorset to the Lake District and finally across to Durham for the primary purpose of their trip.

Thursday 30th March

The Diamond Anniversary celebrations begin with a ‘quiet’ dinner at Sue and John’s and the surprise visitors. The sequence of photos tell the story (minus Sue who was the only one taking photos!). It was truly an emotional, joyous, memorable, family event to be treasured.

Sixty years of marriage is recognised by the Queen with an official ‘congratulations’. The next royal recongntion is for 100th birthdays, so it’s a while away.

Friday 31 March

Time for some sightseeing the next day. Sue has questioned the number of photographs Nigel has taken of High Force over the years. Apparently every one is different and you can’t have too many.

The favourite from this visit…

The celebrations continued in The Green Tree with a dinner for old friends and rowdy family. Amongst the friends were Kevin who was married in the same church as Eric and Christine, on the same day and used the same photographer, Neville, who was best man for Eric, and Kay and Mac who have also celebrated their Diamond Wedding anniversary.

Saturday 1 April

On Saturday Daniel and Rebecca headed to London and then on to Paris, We had time for a walk around Richmond Abbey and the old town with Sue’s boys (and Hannah) followed by a quiet night. Then a delicious Sunday lunch at home before a 3 pm pick-up to catch the overnight flight from Manchester to Abu Dhabi. A crazily short trip but worth every minute.