Last night, on my 78th birthday, Tom and I headed to the popular local pub tucked inside the Neptune Grand Hotel. After days of quiet routines and home-cooked meals, it felt wonderful to be out and about, stepping into the gentle hum of conversation and clinking glasses that only a well-loved local spot seems to carry.
We settled ourselves at the bar, always our favorite place to begin an evening. There is something comforting about sitting shoulder to shoulder with locals who clearly consider this their regular haunt. Before long, we found ourselves commiserating in that easy, friendly way that happens in small towns. A few laughs were shared, a few stories exchanged, and for a little while, we soaked in the pleasure of being among people while marking another birthday along this winding road of life.
After a few drinks, we meandered into the main dining room for dinner. The room itself has a pleasant, relaxed ambiance. Nothing pretentious, nothing overly formal. Just comfortable lighting, well-spaced tables, and the soft murmur of fellow diners enjoying their evening. It suited us perfectly.
There were only a few menu options that worked well with my way of eating, which is always a challenge when dining out. Still, I found myself drawn to the dish shown here. It arrived nicely presented and, I must say, it was quite tasty. The flavors were good, and the preparation was clearly thoughtful. But in the end, it simply was not very filling. Those of you who follow along with our low-carb lifestyle will understand how sometimes a dish can check all the right boxes and still leave you wishing for just a bit more substance.
Even so, we enjoyed the experience. Sometimes it is less about the plate in front of you and more about the moment you are living.
One of the highlights of the evening was when our friend and future landlord, Terry, stopped by to wish me a happy birthday. That simple gesture meant a great deal to me. Terry and his wife have already shown themselves to be such a warm and wonderful couple, the kind of people who make you feel immediately at ease in a new place. In just a week from tomorrow, we will be moving into their holiday home across the street from the beach, and I must admit we are very much looking forward to that next chapter.
When we returned to the house after dinner, both of us were still a little hungry. No surprise there. So we did what has become our reliable little ritual. We each cut a generous hunk of aged cheddar cheese and enjoyed it quietly at home. Simple, satisfying, and exactly what was needed to hit the spot before calling it a night.
Our landlord here in this temporary house, Karen, is also a lovely local. We have been fortunate once again to land among kind and accommodating people. It never ceases to amaze me how often that happens in this nomadic life of ours. Here’s the link to Karen’s property, which we are currently renting.
This morning we were back in our comfortable routine. We prepared the Keto Hamburger Scramble for tonight’s dinner and already have it fully cooked, waiting in the refrigerator. This evening will be easy. We will simply heat our potions in the microwave and serve them alongside a large fresh salad. After last night’s lighter restaurant meal, that hearty scramble is sounding especially appealing.
Soon we will head off to Henk’s market to pick up a variety of ingredients for meals we plan to make here during this final stretch before our move. We are trying to be mindful not to overstock. Moving food from one place to another is never high on our list of favorite activities. Fortunately, the new house is delightfully close, a two-minute drive, to the market, which will make future shopping both easy and pleasant. It’s only been a 10-minute drive to Henk’s IGA market in Penguin from this property.
And just like that, another birthday has gently come and gone. No big fuss, no elaborate celebration. Just good company, kind people, and the quiet contentment that continues to follow us wherever we land.
That is it for today, folks. Have a lovely day and be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, February 21, 2016:
