As Lithuania celebrates its National Day I celebrate my birthday, with among others John McEnroe, Ian Lavender, Ice-T, Kim Jong-Il, Iain Banks, Cathy Freeman, June Brown, Christopher Ecclestone and Michael Holding. Curiously 16th February seems a popular date for cricketers to die on all of which information highlights that celebrate was probably an exaggeration as to how I was spending the day. As Alison was on a course for Mencap during the day I took Bethany round my parents this morning and found the above facts when she had a little nap before her lunch this afternoon.
   Not exactly party hard but quite a pleasant day nonetheless as I took Bethany for a walk in the park this afternoon without the assistance of a pushchair. She happily held my hand walking along the street and I carried her over the road. Once in the park she was a little tentative at first as a couple of dogs just ahead of us were being a bit lively and Bethany started running back to the gates. Once the dogs and owners had gone round the corner Bethany was happy to carry on following the path around the park but as may be expected headed for the river as we neared it. By this stage she was getting tired so we went back and got ready to pick Alison up. When she got out Bethany held both our hands as we had a quick look in B&Q for some roof slates before going to Anna's and then back home for my birthday tea.