It was my boyfriend's birthday last week and I told him I wasn’t going to buy him the usual socks and pants but instead I was going to take him on a mini cruise, followed by a slap up meal. Well, at around 10am we boarded the Spalding water taxi for the 30 minute trip to Springfields, which was very enjoyable . We chatted to the skipper and he said he thought I was mean to take BF shopping on his birthday, but hey, I think he who pays the piper calls the tune!

After a couple of hours of me trawling through the shops, while BF sat on a bench looking miserable and patiently waiting for me, we caught another water taxi back to Spalding and legged it to Sheddy Turners, where I ordered haddock and chips twice and two teas. I know what you’re all thinking, you’re thinking this woman really knows how to treat her man! Anyway, we had a lovely day and although it was his “present”, it was a good idea on my part because I had the benefit of two boat rides and a big plate of fish and chips. If I had bought him socks/pants, I couldn't have shared those with him, could I? So, ladies, why don’t you take a leaf out of my book and be a bit crafty like me next time it's your chap's birthday.

My hubby's idea of a night out is a trip to B & Q but it has to be Wed as that's senior citizens night! I've got a standing joke that if he was on Desert island Discs and they said "you have the complete works of Shakesphere and the Bible, you can take one other book, what will it be?" He would ask for the Screwfix catalogue!! I'll have to get him one (not buy as they are free) for his birthday then he can read that whilst sitting on the bench waiting for me to do my shopping Then we'll both be happy.

Or you could just give a cheese and jam sandwich..........mmmmmm!

A catalogue?, i thought you were getting him a birdbox with camera inside, come on now this no way to treat your man , sorry to remind you. philip j.

I can;t believe it's coming round to his birthday again (Feb) and I still haven't got him his bird box sorted!I do have a reason though. He keeps saying he is going to cut down the section of the Wisteria where the box is positioned and put it elsewhere. Maybe, since we had a family of Great tits in it this year he will change his mind, I;ll have to work on him.

I can;t believe it's coming round to his birthday again (Feb)
So that would be......... ALMOST SIX MONTHS AWAY THEN?

It's at times like this I remember why I love Crowland so much.

Barbersdrove obviously likes to plan well ahead. I expect she's ordered her Easter eggs already!

you know me too well already

the thing is though, planning is what I do best....actually doing anything is another matter altogether