I was pleased when I first read that Jane and Louisa's photo an hour was going to be held on my birthday. And then I started to worry that my birthday might seem rather boring.

I've already celebrated with a family BBQ back in July, we decided to have it then so Andy could be there, he's currently MIA in a cloud of dust, aka being a farmer at harvest time. I had a Teddy Bears Picnic with my niece and nephew last weekend, and I also have a girls night out planned for a few weeks time - pizza and cocktails!

And today I've been to Go Ape with my best friend - nothing says 'turn 40 in style' like playing about in the tree tops and hurling yourself down zip wires. Great fun!

So anyway, back to yesterday.

5am awake to find a balloon above my bed, after a quick glass of water to combat the previous night's drinking, I went back to sleep

6am woken up by my felines wanting food. I open the cupboard every morning and Tink gets in, turns round and comes straight back out again.


7am time for gifts! I was spoilt by Andy, not only has he organised a trip into the Sahara for me he gave me loads of gifts too - a scarf, a giraffe, a tea cosy, an Italian cookery book, and interiors book, some bath bombs, a huge tube of Parma Violets, gardening gloves...


8am it's become a bit of tradition that we get up and go to a local Little Chef for my birthday breakfast. This is a bit later than usual as it was a wet day and Andy didn't need to rush off to work so early.


9am with Andy off to work, I settled down with a cuppa to open my birthday cards. This is my favourite, it's from my Dad who always finds the best cards!


10am After a late night and an early morning I was snoozing when this should've been taken. Zzzz.

11am my Mum and her husband arrived so it was time for more tea and gifts


12pm leaving for my birthday lunch


1pm lunch at The Fountain in Tuddenham, we sat in the garden in glorious sunshine


2pm we decided to drive to a different pub for dessert, I had mint tea and strawberry ice cream


3pm after dessert and a good long sit, sipping tea, we headed out to Needham Market, there is an old cattle tunnel, under the railway line. I have to bow my head to walk under it and I'm only 5ft4'. It takes you from the station, across a common, across a river, and to Alder Carr Farm


4pm Alder Carr Farm has PYO, a shop with locally grown and sourced produce, gift shops, haberdashery, pottery and a lovely little tea shop. After a good nose around them all we decided it was time for more tea (and cake)


5pm on our way back to the car we played Pooh Stick, I won but also got a splinter


6pm after a day of so much lovely food I was in the mood for something quick and simple. Andy came home and made me beans beside toast


7pm the viewing for the evening - Paddington!


8pm we stopped our viewing so I could take a photo of this amazing sky


9pm one final cup of tea before bed.

 I hope you had a lovely day, and thanks to Jane and Louisa for organising A Photo An Hour.