Buuuuuuuuuuud's 35 today

Mother, daughter, and Mother to be. Birthday girl Buuuuuud with er best girl Buuuuuud & the delightful Abby

Daddy and his joint no.1 girl

Abby

So. To the fens on tour, where we firstly encountered Sarah, who today was celebrating her 35th birthday. Having been celebrating her birthday with her off and on for the last 16 years, it is the pleasure of your correspondent to report that Buuuuuuud looked as fresh faced today as she did 16 years ago. All down to Pears soap, I have it good authority. It was such an emotional occasion that tears were shed, but these came from Abby on this occasion, who became agitated due to the encroachment of her sleeves on her small hands. Which, if you are 18 months old, could seriously put you off your stroke, I can tell you. Happy birthday Buuuuuud – here’e to the next 16 years. Whatever they may bring.

You couldn’t make this up (although I usually do)

My bag, of course. Theu still hadn't chosen anything by the time they left

You will never guess who your correspondent bumped into in the Oxford Circus Mamas & Papas this afternoon. No idea? Well, other than Liz, she’s the only one of Peter’s Friends who is currently pregnant, and her husband has a beard. One more clue? Well, they were deliberating over which colour of nursery furniture to choose. I bumped into them at 2.30pm, and they had apparently been there since opening time this morning, and were no closer to making a decision.

By way of contrast, I also bumped into Bush & Ming whilst I was there, who were focus personified when it came to impending parenthood, although Helen has apparently sought a third opinion as to the gender of the child to be, as she still can’t believe it’s going to be a boy. As I said to her at the time she revealed the news in an state of mild disbelief, "there was always a 50/50 chance it could be…"