Birthday in bed

Mirinda didn’t have much of a birthday today. She spent most of it in bed with her hacking cough, dry throat and snotty nose. As the day wore on, the decision to cancel her birthday dinner tonight seemed wholly justified.

Of course, because the meal I’d planned was a special one and Mirinda wanted something light, I had an unscheduled shopping trip. In order to soothe her fevered brow, I decided to make some chicken soup. It went down very well…and very easily.

There was a period of time that Mirinda spent in the white rocking chair, taking me through her photographs and telling me about the trip in more detail. And, of course, there were presents.

We don’t normally do presents. We decided years ago to stop buying stuff for each other unless it could be consumed. Well, apart from quirky little things like fridge magnets in the shape of sardines, or Pastéis de Nata. Speaking of fridge magnets, Mirinda also told me how Amanda has two big black metal surfaces in her house, covered in fridge magnets. It reminded me of mum’s fridge which, also, was covered in them.

However, apart from the mad fridge magnets, Mirinda knew I’d enjoy something else that Portugal is rightly famous for: Tins of sardines. Not just any tins of sardines though. No, tins of sardines with years printed on them.

As well as the delight at the prospect of some of my favourite fish, there was also the surprise to learn that I am the same age as Bill Gates (I reckon he looks older).

Now I’ve written this post, it seems a bit topsy-turvy that on Mirinda’s birthday, I got the presents.