July. Time to put the birthday cards away, and any presents that remain on display near the TV. June is over. As much as it is nice to extend celebrations, my birthday month has finished.

Dalia, our local guide in Egypt during our recent holiday, celebrated her birthday on day three of our tour. As we waited for our Watania Sleeper Train from Cairo to Luxor, our small group of six Aussies celebrated her birthday with slices of cake from the train station café, complete with candle and a rendition of “Happy Birthday.”

The next day on the MS Nile Premium, our home for four nights, a surprise celebration. Dalia’s colleague, on the same cruise leading another tour group, organised a birthday cake to be delivered by our wait staff. Naga led the group with drum and song. We thought they were going on to another guest, but no, it’s for our table! Another rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday!”

Dalia often wore a cartouche with her name in it, which I admired. Cartouches were formerly only used by pharaohs but have now come to represent good luck. While in Egypt, Tom ordered a cartouche for my birthday present; a lovely silver/gold with “Lou” in the hieroglyphic alphabet. So, my birthday this year began early in Egypt, in late May.

On our return home from Egypt and Turkey, there were presents waiting for me from my sisters, including my favourite Roku Gin. A few days later on my birthday, the Adelaide Crows won their AFL football game (a good present!). No dinner out this year on my actual birthday, as Tom wasn’t feeling 100% and ended up passing a kidney stone!! Memorable! Anyway, the birthday month continued …

Presents were enjoyed, including dehydrated citrus to go with the gin – yes! Vouchers for a new suitcase (really needed, as this trip has finally worn out my old black soft-shell suitcase) and for clothes (specifically requested as we found a quick-dry travel shirt, and it comes in peach! Yes please!).

Birthday cards in the mail – a real treat these days – one from sister Margaret first, and another from pen-pal Gesine from Sylt Island, Germany, more recently. In between, a package from Eliza in England, with the perfect gift … “One List a Day – a Three-Year Journal”. I am somewhat partial to list-making!

Grandson Noah’s 18^th birthday dinner at Electra House rounded out a lovely month of birthday celebrations with family and friends. Who could ask for more?