For Maria's 50th I wanted to do something extra special for her. I arranged to take her to London without the girls and booked a nice hotel in Chelsea very close to Hyde park. We travelled up by coach and taxi to the hotel. we decided to go out for a walk to take in the sights as both of us had not done this together in London. We walked Oxford street and of course Maria to do a bit of shopping on the way. As we passed one or to pubs it seemed rude not to pop in. Timed passed and without noticing the time we had to start walking back to the hotel. 4 miles later we got back, on a number of times Maria made it very clear I hadn't said we'd be doing so much walking and hadn't packed the right shoes, if I remember she made it very clear once or twice to me. We got back changed, after Maria rested her feet, and went out for dinner, by taxi this time.
The next morning I had arranged for Maria to have a spa in the hotel, so she could have 90 minutes being pampered without me. Think she liked the sound of that. With Maria out the way I meet the girls outside the hotel that I had arranged they travelled up to surprise Maria when she had finished her spa. The girls had got the bang on schedule and I showed them up to our room before got there and the look on Maria's face when she opened the door was of total disbelief and couldn't actually speak, thought I'd won the lottery and got Maria to be quiet, but it didn't last long. In true Maria ways the tears started when I told her the girls were staying the night in the hotel and we were all going out that evening to a London show.
We spent the day together and sat in Hyde park on what must have been the hottest weekend that year and spending much need time together as a family. We all went out for diner and then for one more surprise for Maria I had booked one of her favorite shows The Lion King. Think I earnt from brownie points for that. Being seated in row 7 we watched the fabulous performance before heading back to the hotel.
The next morning after breakfast I said to Maria and the girls we better head of after breakfast as we had a long journey to get the bus home, but when we went outside I had, unknown to them all, arranged chauffeur transport back home. So glad I did as so as having air con was so needed rather than using taxi and coaches to get home. So to get dropped of at the door was an extra bonus.
Not only was it a special birthday for Maria, but for all of us spending quality time together made it a special weekend and made special memories that will last for ever
