Celebrating my Dad's 80th Birthday at The Fish Hotel, Broadway

My parents are both only children and longed for a big family and two weeks ago all 16 of us headed off to the Cotswolds to celebrate my Dad's 80th birthday.  Three daughters, three son-in-laws and eight grandchildren (ranging from 19 to 12).  It was an amazing family get-together and I am sure they were so proud to look around the table at us all and appreciate what they achieved.  A large, happy family!

My dad started his career in the RAF.  He did National Service initially then remained for additional service.  He trained in photographic reconnaissance.  When he left he started working at Wallace Heaton in New Bond Street (Wallace Heaton was a famous photographic retailer and supplier to the royal family).  There he met my mum and got engaged within 3 months of meeting.  He stayed in the photographic industry all is his life, working for Canon Cameras until his retirement.  My parents have been married 54 years. Interestingly the two oldest grandsons have been inspired by him in their career choices. My son is a Videographer using Canon equipment in the music industry and my nephew has been at Wellbeck Defence College with the RAF and in September will be reading Engineering at Oxford University..

Anyway, I digress, the point is that we call came together at The Fish Hotel to celebrate not just dad's birthday but our family all being together.

The Fish Hotel is the sister hotel to The Dormy House where my husband and I have had some lovely nights away.  It is fairly new to the hotel group and has only been open about two years but their focus is on family and friends getting together in a relaxed atmosphere, a touch of luxury, lots of comfortable space outside and in and fantastic food.  Do take a look at their website as I can't do in justice in this small space but if you like my photos and the fun we had then it is worth checking out.  The new Hilly Huts are a must for a romantic night away with the views, privacy and hot tubs!

Friday night we celebrated with a sharing feast at a big table in the private conservatory, Saturday morning we all did various activities (Segway, All-Terrain Vehicles and Archery) this was great fun and gave an extra focus to the weekend.  Saturday night we did 'Feasting on the Deck' this is where you get your own private chef and he cooks a delicous menu on the BBQ and it is all served on a large table in an outside covered area with heaters, blankets and fairy lights.  Fantastic!

​Here are our photos ...

Actually we were very lucky and the rain kept away most of the weekend and didn't spoil the fun!

I kept to a navy and cream theme for my casual outfits and it is mostly from Mint Velvet!

All Terrain Vehicles and amazing views over the hills of the Cotswolds

I love these lightweight jackets from Uniqlo they are warm and easy to pack as they squash down to nothing!

All 16 of us on the deck for 'Feasting on the Deck'

​I think we all agreed we'd go back when he is 90!

Love from
Michelle xx
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