Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Turning 30 ain’t so bad

I was pretty petrified about turning 30, if I’m honest. I know it’s only a number but the fact I was leaving behind my 20s felt pretty symbolic to me. Everyone I’ve spoken to says your 30s is the best decade and I’m sure they’re right, but now to be a 30-something rather than a 20-something feels a bit odd.

That said, after months of piss-taking by friends and family, I woke up on the morning of Monday 14 December 2009 and felt… actually pretty good. I see my 30s as the start of a new era, a new chapter of my life and there’s plenty more to look forward to, that’s for sure.

It’s a sure sign that I’m growing older that I chose to spend my birthday weekend in Dorset, by the seaside, rather than guzzling wine out of pint glasses and strutting my stuff in Oceana. Don’t get me wrong, I like to boogie like the best of them – but my life is much more sedate than it used to be…. And my hangovers a lot worse.

So, my birthday weekend began with a seaside stroll in West Bay, the wind whistling in my ears, the sun shining down on my face and tucking into fish and chips with one of my favourite people. I got sand in my shoes, pebbles in my pockets and flushed cheeks from the wind… and it was great. And mulled wine enjoyed by an open fire in The Bridport Arms finished the day off a treat.

The following day involved another trip to the beach, this time to Burton Bradstock for a stroll under clear blue skies, the smell of the nearby fish restaurant teasing my tastebuds. And a scenic drive along the coastline to Abbotsbury was picturesque. The great thing about this part of the world is that’s it’s unspoiled. It’s not been ruined by tourists and all the tackiness that comes with that, it’s just pretty and perfect. And there’s nothing nicer than bundling up against the elements, bracing the fresh sea air and plodding across a stony beach on a sunny but chilly December day.

On this, the eve of my birthday, we took a romantic stroll through Beaminster, our home for the weekend, from one end of the town to the other. And there we stumbled upon a massive 30 painted in white in the middle of the road. A sign perhaps? Well, yes, it was a sign – literally – but not to tell me that my last day as a 29-year-old was about to draw to a close, but a sign to traffic that they needed to obey the 30mph speed limit. Funny, nonetheless, and a Kodak moment!

On my actual birthday – after opening cards, presents and exchanging phone calls and text messages with loved ones – I received a fab candy bouquet from my mum – a unique twist on traditional floral bouquets – before heading off to Crinkley Bottom – the huge country house and grounds where Noel Edmond’s House Party was filmed. You gotta remember Mr Blobby, right? The grand house stands in the middle of sweeping hills and woodland… somehow I can’t quite see Mr Blobby fitting in here amongst all the sheep.

Then it was onwards to Lyme Regis, another seaside resort, for a stroll, a glass of mulled wine and to watch Bateman Senior and Bateman Junior in a four-game round of pool which ended in a 2-2 draw. The only downside of the day was that the fish and chip kiosks and restaurants on the seafront were all shut up tight out of the tourist season, so our cravings were never fulfilled.

But that didn’t matter. My birthday dinner was spent at The Bridge House Hotel, listening to French music while tucking into frogs’ legs, seasbass and homemade run and raison icecream. Bliss.  Good food, good atmosphere and good company, what more can you ask for?

So, it was a very grown up weekend, which is fitting for someone turning 30. That said, it was far from boring – I laughed and smiled so much my face ached. A top weekend and a top way to turn the corner into a new decade.

Goodbye 20s, hello 30s.