I have had a busy time this month. Wednesday, 18th March, was my birthday, a big one as I turned 70. I decided as it was, obviously, a once in a lifetime experience, I would organise several celebratory events. On the day Rowan, my daughter, Ailsa and I went out for lunch to Cafe 33, a popular venue in Norwich. Rowan brought Ledger, our grandchild, of course. He is now seven months old, and I will admit to having the grandparent prejudice of thinking he is exceptionally smart and good looking.

I had never been to this venue but had noted that it is very popular, with queues outside the door, even in winter! I now understand why. The food is excellent and the prices extremely reasonable. The exterior is not very inviting, the frontage is on a busy city street and it is not easily accessible. Once we were in it was really special.

I should note that the reason we were there in the first place is that I had been persuaded to get a loyalty card by one of the big department stores nearby. One of their selling points was 20% off on one’s birthday. It was tempting, but it turned out their restaurants are not!

In the evening, Rowan, Douglas, Ailsa, Ledger and I along with Rowan’s husband Ben and his parents went out for supper to an Indian restaurant in the city. I was not quite the eldest, that honour goes to her father-in-law with whom I occasionally go walking in the Norfolk countryside. We are very nearly the same age and I enjoy his company.

The big event, on Saturday the 21st, was a party at one of our favourite pubs The Unthank Arms. This is in the Golden Triangle in Norwich, a part of the city where we lived many years ago, both as students and, sometime later, with the kids when I was on sabbatical. The pub provided food for the 50 guests. It was actually very good value. I paid for food and put enough cash on the bar to cover a drink for everyone there. We occupied their function area on the first floor. This had a bar and a dance floor. I don’t think anyone even attempted to dance, but there were a lot of conversations.

It was an altogether fantastic evening especially seeing many old friends, some of whom travelled a considerable distance. Guests included people who were at school with me in Swaziland, both at St Mark’s and Waterford; the couple of friends from university days; an ODI fellow who was in Botswana at the same time as me; people I subsequently worked with in various countries and positions; and finally, family and friends from Norwich.

The largest cohort were relatives, all descendants of my grandfather. They included a sister and a half sister; cousins of various degrees; and children and grandchildren: 34% of the group were related in some way! The age range was from Ledger to my half sister Pat who is well into her 90s.

We put together a playlist for music, but there was so much noise from people chatting that it was inaudible. I suppose, on the positive side, I have three hours of my favourite music I can listen to whenever I want.

The party was a great success. I said a few words and then Rowan, Douglas, my sister Gill, and my old friend David Crush from Swaziland, all spoke briefly and flatteringly. Despite my request that no one bring presents I was given a couple of bottles of fine wine and an interesting book, which speaks to the art of writing a memoir!

I specifically asked the family for some new technology, a Kindle and a Fitbit – which I now need to set up. Luckily part of the gift is helping me get it up and running! This should last a good long time, my current Fitbit no longer keeps a long charge, and the current Kindle is really old and clunky.

On the Sunday the extended family went out to the Waffle House in Norwich for breakfast. This is a family favourite. It was opened in 1978 by a South African couple, and we have been going to it since then. It was a fantastic way to end the birthday celebrations, and I am grateful to my family and friends for their enthusiastic participation in the various events.

Jon Salisbury was at Waterford for A’ Levels from 1971 to 1974 and is the archivist among my friends, he provided three of the photographs below. Sadly, apart from age, these also record my receding hairline and expanding stomach! In addition, I hired a photographer for the evening. Luke Witcomb worked with and for Rowan before she went on maternity leave and he took a series of excellent pictures that I will put on Dropbox for people to see and download if they wish.

Of course, a birthday like this gives rise to introspection and makes me realise that my memoir needs to be finished. At the moment the last chapter still needs to be written. I know I have an incredibly fortunate life and don’t take it for granted! This weekend endorsed that opinion for me.

Jon, David, and Alan at Cambridge May Ball, 1978

Alan, Owen, Jon, and David at Jon’s 60th in May, 2016

Jon, Alan, and David at Alan’s birthday party on 22nd March, 2026

Rowan, Alan, Ledger, and Doug at Alan’s birthday party