Surprise Party

Thursday was spent mooching round downtown Charlotte. Of course, I forgot my camera, but it was remarkably clean. I can think of 2 reasons why:

1. America has trash bins all over the place, and they look nice. They also have separate stainless steel pyramids for cigarette butts. I know why England doesn't, and it's not a good enough reason. A determined terrorist will hide a bomb, even if we don't have bins.
2. No pigeons. Or birds really. Downtown was free of droppings, and those ugly spikes that keep pigeons from roosting.

Katy sent Rob on an errand into their bedroom and whispered to me while he was out of the way- would I be around on Friday night? She was organising a surprise birthday party. Sure I was around!
All I had to do was keep Rob busy a while and not give the game away. Chris would call around 4.30 to meet for a drink and we would leave the apartment. Meanwhile, Katy, under the pretext of working late, would marshall the folks and lay on beers and food.
From our side, it couldn't have gone smoother- apart from being a pleasure to talk with Chris and Rob, all we had to do was pretend that we truly wanted to be in the bar...
At 7 Katy called to say she was 'home' and back we went. Rob was genuinely surprised and delighted! From my point of view, it was a success and I behaved. Right up until we left the flat again and hit the jellied shots. Then it gets hazy.

Saturady was recovery, and sunday was second recovery. And change of plans day. I was undecided about the best way out of Charlotte. I was going to hire a car, but that proved too much hassle.