My Wonderful Wife - Do you know what - she's gone and surprised me (not easily done!)

Friday 28th July, I had agreed to meet Ruth for lunch at the Bull Ring. As I start to go out form work she calls to say that she's running late, which is fine, so I agreed to meet her by St Martin's church.

I get there and find she is sitting there with a red rose and bag with other things in! (chocolates, a novel, card)

She makes me sit down and open a card she gave to me. This card says that for the next 24 hours she's in charge and whisking me away (!)

I have to say that I was taken aback - even protested saying that I have a meeting in the afternoon which I need to attend.

"No" she replies - "the meeting does not exist, your boss had agreed to give you the afternoon off and the meeting has been set up as part of the deception".

Well knock me down - this is the kind of thing I'd do, and in all honesty find it harder to be on the receiving rather that organising end.

Yes, Ruth had it all arranged, copies of e-mails from my boss (who's been in on it for a number of weeks), her mum was going the have the children on Friday night, and Pete & Mel were having them on the Saturday, the bags were packed and at her office and so we could go now.

It appears that everyone was in on this weekend apart from me (although, Ruth did leave a map in the printer at home and came up with a reason for it being there.)

Off we went to Langar Hall north of Melton Mowbery. We arrived and the champagne was on ice outside our room, which you can see was an isolated room by the croquet lawn!

We had a lovely walk around the grounds and got ready for dinner.

It was so wonderful to be able to spend the time together and talk outside of our usual environments.

I can honestly say that I will remember the occasion for as long as I live, and can really see how much Ruth loves me.

I've said to Ruth that I have no problems with her organising this type of thing again!!!