It was just five years ago this week that my whole family revealed the outcome of a Cunning Plot, months in the planning. Every single one of my chidren (three) and their partners and children conspired to get themselves to a holiday house in Catalonia, and then get me (and Malcolm of course) there too, without my suspecting a thing, to celebrate – extremely belatedly – my 70th birthday.
We had a whole weekend of catching up, of playtimes, of long lazy meals and silliness on the beach …

… and the memories will last me for the rest of my life.
For Becky’s #SquaresRenew Challenge, she’s inviting us to post square – only square – photos on the themes of Burgeoning; Moving Forward; Reconstruction; or Renewal.
what a fabulous renewal – love what they did and loving the square to remember 😀
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It was truly special. And gotta love those toes …
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gorgeous toes
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How special!!
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It fills you with warmth, just thinking about it, Margaret. Lovely square!
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That must have been wonderful.
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It certainly was.
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That’s wonderful!!
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I certainly thought so.
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How lovely
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It was!
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What a fabulous surprise. A memory to cherish.
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Not to be forgotten. Ever.
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Yes. Getting the entire family together is very tricky especially when they don’t all live in the same country.
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It’s bad enough when they live at opposite ends of the same one.
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True.
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Awwwwww….🤗
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Absolutely.
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What a lovely family!
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I agree!
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You brought your offspring up right! What a wonderful, loving memory to have! 🥰
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A fabulous few days. I’m rather fond of my offspring.
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I remember this happening. So special. And a wonderful memory to revist. Hope all’s well in Spain on the current visit 😊
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It is thanks. The sun is shining which must be hard to hear back in the UK.
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So much joyousness, both then and now!
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Yes!!
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Here’s toe many more happy family birthdays!
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Thank you. Too old for birthdays really …
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Wow!
This sounds so amazing. I couldn’t bet on the fun you and your family had 🙂
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It was wonderful Hammad.
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What a wonderful surprise that must have been!
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Honestly, I never suspected a thing!
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How exciting this family reunion is!
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It was fab. We are all quite wide apart so it was extra special.
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Sounds like a delightful trip and surprise. What great memories!
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A wonderful surprise I’ll never forget.
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I do like a surprise. I am going to Derbyshire for my 70th birthday in June but I organised it myself.
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Oh, I’m going to get in first with birthday greetings! June is an excellent month to have been born: it was the choice of about half my family. Enjoy your celebrations, you young thing you!
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What a lovely story! Happy memories.
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Happy memories indeed!
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What wonderful, unforgettable memories were made renewing family ties, Margaret. In the end, our greatest hope for our children is that they embrace the love we gave them and remember the memories we shared together – memories that will sustain them after we have moved on in our journeys. ,
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You’re absolutely right, Rebecca!
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What a wonderful gift and surprise, Margaret!! Gifts from love are always special but managing to pull off such a big surprise is even more so. Love the square. 🙂
janet
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It was a masterpiece of planning, and unforgettable. I’m quite fond of the square too.
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The square is toe-tally cool. 😉
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What an awesome family you raised
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Aw thanks. They’re not at all bad, I must say.
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That sounds like a Vast AND Cunning Plot. How lovely to be on the receiving end
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It was. All of the pleasure and none of the responsibility.
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That sounds wonderful!
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It sounds wonderful … because it was!
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How special. Happy Birthday Margaret & Many More!
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Thanks Cindy. Can’t beat that birthday party though!
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Ah, love the toes and the amazingly wonderful surprise!
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What a wonderful, thoughtful present. We usually do one outing a year but plan it together. Last year, we went to Sweden.
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Wonderful! I think our needs are all tóo different for that to be realistic for us, but it’s great if you can!
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True. We don’t know how long that will still work. Our sons are both still single and no kids, so that makes it easier. And we all love visiting cities.
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Lovely memories 😍
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Yes!
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What a wonderful treat in a great part of Spain. And I love the square, Margaret
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Thanks Debbie. It was a treat indeed.
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A perfect picture.
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A perfect weekend.
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