Northern Belle

 



I’ve opened my lovely cards and gifts over my usual bucket of coffee.
It’s 6.15 am
Lots of good wishes and some fab presents 
A luxury day out with Nu on the 1930’s Northern Belle train, some cracking dvds and worlds best uncle socks from Leo. Some beautiful gin glasses, gin, a lovely toucan print which is already been hung in the new bathroom, a vintage butter knife and salt , a grand fermenting jar for making my own kimchi , a cactus , a garden hose  and four Mars bars sellotaped intriguingly end to end and wrapped in a tea towel decorated with dog breeds of the British Isles from Mrs Trellis.
I’ve got a quick zoom meeting with friends Ruth in Scotland and Ben in Korea shortly and Nu has just rung
Then off to work….

I’m in my 61st year.
I promise no more birthday chatter

128 comments:

  1. Anonymous5:25 am

    Wishing you a very happy and joyful birthday John. Buon compleanno.... enjoy your day. Ro xxx

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  2. Anonymous5:29 am

    A very happy birthday John. Hope you received the gin. Take care and enjoy your special day. Love Jo in Coventry x

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  3. Happy birthday John x

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  4. Happy birthday John! Great presents - especially the Northern Belle. Have a good day today and every day.

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  5. Anonymous5:56 am

    Happy Birthday John! May the next decade bring you many good times and much happiness. Athene

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  6. Wishing you all the best of everything, JayGee. May some of the happiness (and giggles) you transmit to so many of us be reflected back on yourself. Do have a most splendid day - "because you're worth it"!

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  7. Happiest of birthdays to you!!

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  8. Have a wonderful birthday, John. Mrs. T never disappoints with her eclectic gifts! xx

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  9. Happy Birthday, John. Sixty is a bit of a shock to the system. Some people don't make it to 30 (the first shocker of a zero birthday). Think the 27 club. Or James Dean.

    Take heart: It'll get easier from now on. Give it another thirty years and you'll be dead. As my mother who is eighty nine keeps saying.

    Talking of mothers, John. Do spare a thought for yours. I made my birthday last year into an alternative "Mother's Day" by thanking her for haven given me life. The most precious gift.

    Other than that I can feel a short story coming on: "Murder on the Northern Belle". How romantic.

    Commiserations,
    Ursula

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:33 am

      you blow hot and cold you old bag

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    2. Anonymous9:41 am

      This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
    3. Yes, love the both of them!

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    4. Anonymous10:42 pm

      Typical of that Ursula person to crawl back out of it's hole on your special day, trying to spoil it with it's caustic and supposedly witty remarks. It should return to it's hole in the darkness where it belongs and do us all a favour.

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    5. Anon, it's "its hole", "its remarks", and another "its hole". Leave unnecessary apostrophes to grocers.

      Hope that did you a favour.

      U

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    6. Anonymous3:33 pm

      The only favour required from you is for you to disappear you vile toad.

      Delete
  10. Happy Birthday, John! X

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  11. A very Happy Birthday to you John! Enjoy your special day! I remember when I thought 60 was bad but now I'd be happy to go back to it as I will be 70 later this summer.

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  12. Happy Birthday John, i hope it's a good one xx

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  13. Anonymous6:47 am

    Happy Birthday John. Have a great day and a fabulous future ahead and enjoy every moment of it.

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  14. Happy Birthday John. How fantastic, a trip on the Northern Belle. Hope you enjoy your day and many gifts.

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  15. Happy Birthday, you sound very young to me!!! Love Jan Bx

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  16. Chatter all you like, it's your birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! xxxx

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  17. Happy birthday John xx

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  18. Happy Birthday, dearheart.
    *smooches*

    XOXO

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  19. Happy Birthday, John! Xx

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  20. Anonymous7:13 am

    Happy Birthday, John, and enjoy all your cards and gifts when your shift is over today. Happy Birthday to your sister too and hope she enjoys her day. Catriona

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  21. Happiest of birthdays. I look forward to hearing about the train trip. What a lovely thing to look forward to.

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  22. Happy 60th Birthday, John. Have a lovely day xx

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  23. Happy birthday to someone who makes the world a better place! Cheers to the first 60! Sending you hugs from Spain.

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  24. Anonymous7:42 am

    Penblwydd hapus !
    Barbarax

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  25. Happy Birthday John. Have a great day and enjoy all the treats you have organised. xxxx

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  26. Anonymous7:49 am

    Congrats on a major milestone. Just wait untill you've reduced your hours - you'll be looking years younger!

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    Replies
    1. veg artist9:25 am

      That was me. I missed the 'name/url' stage on this pesky box.

      Delete
  27. Have a lovely day John.....Happy 60th. XX

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  28. Louise7:57 am

    Happy Birthday ! Have a great day. xx

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  29. Many Happy Returns, and thank you for a wonderful blog. xxx

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  30. Wishing you a very happy birthday - and many more! Carole.

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  31. Anonymous8:26 am

    I am envious of your Northern Belle train trip, as you might expect. Funnily Cro recently mentioned the Brighton Belle train. A very happy birthday John.

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  32. Happy Birthday John. I hope you have a wonderful Birthday year. x

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  33. Happy Birthday, have a wonderful day

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  34. Having had about 2 weeks advance notification it would be churlish of me not to wish you a happy birthday.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:00 pm

      Frankly I think you still nailed the churlish !
      Jane

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    2. Oh, you noticed. Well done.

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  35. Happy Birthday John xx

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  36. Anonymous8:51 am

    Happy Birthday have a wonderful day . I dont comment very often but enjoy reading your posts every day.
    Irene

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  37. Anonymous9:25 am

    Wishing you a fabulous birthday, John. Have a lovely day. Best wishes, Louise X

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  38. Happy birthday John. Wishing you a fabulous day.

    Julie

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  39. Anonymous9:33 am

    Happy Birthday John, have a great day. I’ve been reading and enjoying your blog for years but seldom comment. SueJay

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  40. Replies
    1. Anonymous10:38 pm

      Aww, the simplest and the best comment.

      Delete
  41. Have a wonderful day!

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  42. Happy Birthday, have a great time.

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  43. Happy Birthday. Those presents sound great.

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  44. Happy Birthday, John! 🎉

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  45. Sending Best Wishes across the pond to you on your special day. Cheers, from Ontario Canada.

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  46. Happiest of birthdays to you, Dear John. Glad to see you well feted by friends near and far. x0 N2

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  47. Anonymous10:56 am

    Happy Birthday John!🎉🎂🎂

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  48. Happy birthday, have a nice day t

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  49. Very happy birthday wishes to you and your lovely twin sister, who has made your garden even more beautiful. Soon you will have the time and space in your days to sit out there and enjoy it all. (I love doing that, with a cappuccino and a good book to hand.) Retirement, Yay!!!

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  50. Wishing you the best of birthdays John and many happy returns of the day. Enjoy every minute. XXXX

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  51. Jennifer Barlow11:22 am

    Happy Birthday John! I hope you're having a fabulous day!

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  52. Anonymous11:32 am

    Many returns of the day!! What a funny old statement!! Any way best wishes from a long time reader. Blogger has so far declined to allow me to comment 😬. Moyra NZ

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    1. Anonymous11:36 am

      Wow! It worked! Think that should be best returns of the day!

      Delete
  53. Happy Birthday John, what a lovely day. Here's the many more 🍷. Viv

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  54. Anonymous12:00 pm

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY—What a memorable one with so many people wishing you well who are friends and relatives or who like me who enjoy your blog. I have to say I think Mrs Trellis’ present was very thoughtful. What a kind person, and what a lovely village you have made home. All the best. Jean in Winnipeg.

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  55. A very happy birthday to you, John. I want you to know that you have been a very constant part of my days for years now. I hope you have a wonderful day, and many more to come! -Jenn

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  56. A happy birthday to you John..enjoy the trip..where does the train go?

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  57. Best birthday wishes from across the pond!

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  58. Happy birthday, John. The train and the scenery surrounding it are gorgeous. A wonderful start to a birthday.

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  59. Wishing you all the best on your B-day. Enjoy!

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  60. Anonymous12:59 pm

    A happy new year to you, John!
    Bonnie in Minneapolis

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  61. Anonymous1:06 pm

    Happy Birthday, John, and many, many more. Mary in Ontario

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  62. Happy Birthday, John. Welcome to 60! Have a lovely day.
    --Elise

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  63. Happy Birthday, John! And hey, a nice haul of fab gifts!

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  64. Happy Birthday, John. Thanks for brightening up my days with your blog. So nice to get a peek into your world every day. Best wishes from NY.

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  65. Do you know the Archers is back on this Friday, John? Special treat for your big birthday week! Blods xx

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  66. La breith sona dhuit x

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  67. Anonymous1:36 pm

    Best wishes for a lovely birthday, John...assuming blogger allows my comment. Mary

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  68. Happy Birthday John. X

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  69. Wishing you a happy birthday John x

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  70. Kelly2:04 pm

    What a lovely birthday. I especially like your description of Mrs. Trellis’ gifts. Reminds me of my aunties. 🙂🎈

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  71. Wishing You John the Happiest Glorious 60th Birthday Year x

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  72. BArbara Anne2:32 pm

    Happy birthday to you and Jane1
    Happy birthday to you and Janet1
    Happy Birthday to you and janet!!
    Happy birthday to you and Janet!!!!
    amd may more ...
    Wonderful gifts and love the planned train trip with Nu!

    Hugs!

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  73. Happy Birthday. I like Mrs Trellis' way of wrapping your gift ... I bet you didn't for one moment guess what was inside!!

    That train ride with Nu sounds proper posh and should be a great day out. She knows how to make you happy.

    I hope you have a great day. xx

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  74. Happy Birthday John and twin sister!

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  75. We are all going to be super pissed if you do not have an especially great birthday! LOL I hope it is going to be one of your best ever!!
    Hugs from S. Colorado!!

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  76. Anonymous3:25 pm

    Happy Birthday John. Hope you have a wonderful day. x Sue P

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  77. Anonymous3:32 pm

    Have a simply fabulous day!!!!!

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  78. Anonymous3:37 pm

    I hope your birthday is as special as you are!

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    Replies
    1. Brigitta3:38 pm

      Aargh, forgot to check that box again!

      Delete
  79. Terrific gifts! Love that kim chi jar. Now you need the recipe. Gigi-Hawaii

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  80. Happy Birthday to you and your twin! Wishing you a terrific year filled with many fun adventures and lots of love!

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  81. Enjoy, enjoy..have a fabulous birthday!!

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  82. Happy birthday to you, my favorite blogger. You share the gift of your life with us each day, and are the first blog I check out, just to keep track of your fascinating life. Thank you for sharing with all of us.

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  83. Happy birthday.

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  84. happy happy year

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  85. I did come back to wish it all over again dear John - a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY and here's to many more.
    Hugs - Mary

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  86. Happy Birthday, John. In my experience being sixty has been full of good things. I wish you the same richness in life.

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  87. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  88. Anonymous5:46 pm

    Van harte gefeliciteerd met je 60e verjaardag!
    Roos

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  89. Very happy birthday dear old pal.

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  90. Anonymous5:50 pm

    Happy birthday to a favourite blogger. May you continue to spread happiness and cheer through Going Gently and everywhere you go!

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  91. Happy Birthday to you. While I haven't commented much I want you to know that I enjoy your blog. Dorothy is a particular favorite of mine but appreciate all your posts and the time you take to share with us.

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  92. Anonymous6:30 pm

    Happy birthday dear John. We really envy you that lovely present of a trip on the Northern Belle. Looking forward to all the pics when you go on the trip. Love to you.
    Wendy (Wales)

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  93. Sending love and the happiest of birthday wishes to you! From a long time lurker :) I read your blog everyday and wish you everything that's good in this world. Sharon x

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  94. Anonymous6:33 pm

    Happy Birthday.
    Lots of anonymous comments today but which ones to believe? I saw the heartrending comments from a lady who had lost her husband before you deleted them, your response wasn't good John, you didn't believe her but in hindsight wouldn't it have been kinder to stay silent?
    Deb

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    1. No deb, I recognised the way of writing, the grammar and the phrasing , it was a troll pretending to be grieving widow , the lowest form of low

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    2. Anonymous10:16 pm

      John, I think you are being paranoid on this matter.

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  95. Anonymous7:43 pm

    Happy Birthday xx

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  96. The kids these days feel privileged and take a week celebrating their birthdays. You should too!

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  97. Anonymous7:58 pm

    Happy Birthday John and best wishes for many more!
    Dee

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  98. I made it back albeit late to the party as usual. Just wanted to wish you the Happiest of Birthdays; welcome to the 60's club with many more to come. The train trip sounds fabulous and your gifts were very varied. What fun.

    Jo in Auckland

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  99. Happy Birthday John! I hope you've had a lovely day. I also live in North Wales...about 35 minutes away from you in Denbighshire. I've been reading and enjoying your blog for about 5 years or so, and thought it was finally time to comment and say hello :)

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  100. Happy birthday John!! Make it last as long as you can! :-) xxx

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  101. Anonymous8:46 pm

    What a wonderful way to celebrate - the train ride. No doubt you are having a phenomenal 60th b'day. Many happy returns, John!! Good Health, Much Contentment in this special year of your life. Hugs 'n Luv from the base of the mini-mountain in Maine. Regina

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  102. Happy Birthday and wishing all the best for the coming year.
    Linda from Alabama

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  103. Anonymous11:40 pm

    Happy birthday John!
    Xoxo
    Barbara

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  104. I missed your birthday, so sorry. Looks like it was the best of the best. 61? Pfft, that's nothing but a number. I'm 57 but in my head I think I'm about 37. My body sometimes says otherwise but my personality and attitude keeps me at 37. Hugs to you!

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  105. Happy Birthday John! Hope it was a quiet, uneventful day at work. The train ride sounds fabulous.🎂😊🍷🍸❤

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  106. I wished you happy birthday earlier and it's now a few days later, but still -- happy birthday! We have a very similar train outing happening for Dave's birthday in late June. I will, of course, blog it when the time comes. Look forward to hearing about yours!

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  107. A belated , but heartfelt Happy Birthday ! xx

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  108. Oh dear...Happy Belated Birthday dear John and may you have many more.

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  109. Anonymous10:39 pm

    Happy Happy Birthday John! xx
    From Julie in Los Angeles

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  110. I'm in my 80th and now in Hospice.

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    Replies
    1. I hope you are getting the support you need x

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I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes