Saturday 2 November 2013

Edinburgh Birthday

While we were visiting family and friends in Edinburgh recently, Niall celebrated his birthday. It frequently falls in the autumn half term break so, as last year, he was able to celebrate it in his home town; much to the delight of his mum.

Naturally a birthday calls for cake and Shona, Niall's sister, bought a great one, entitled "Farmyard Stack". This seems to be a new trend in cakes and we thought it was great fun and probably quite simple for you bakers out there to do something similar if you fancy having a go. Inside was a simple Victoria sponge cake with jam, so apart from the icing it was light, ...... oh and tasty!
Moo, Baaah and Oink - all very yummy!
Unsurprisingly many of the gifts were books and music Niall requested, However, Shona in a 'tour de force' of inspiration found "the" gift of the birthday: a Man Tin!! Brilliant! Niall even forgave her the traditional silly socks--crocodile ones this year!

A fully kitted out Man Tin
All in all we had a super time and it was so good to catch up with everyone! Even the weather wasn't too bad; in fact we had odd moments of sunshine and generally the temperatures were very mild for late October.

11 comments:

rusty duck said...

A belated Happy Birthday Niall.
Love the farmyard stack!

ladybird said...

Happy Birthday Niall and many happy returns of the day!
That cake is just too cute to eat :) Martine

Jean said...

Hope Niall had a great birthday - love the Man Tin - what a brilliant idea !!
Also love the cake - it looks fantastic !!

Tim said...

I must NOT let Pauline read this post...
I have a MAN BARN!!

the fly in the web said...

Happy birthday Niall....that Man Tin is just super!

Vera said...

That man tin was a great idea, and happy birthday Niall.

Diane said...

Belated birthday wishes Niall. Have a good weekend Diane

Perpetua said...

Belated birthday greeting, Niall. Shona sounds like the same kind of inspired gift-finder as DD, who can always be relied on for something different and special. The cake looks super and the Man Tin and its contents just perfect. I need one for DH.....

chm said...

Happy belated birthday Niall. Love that Man Tin! It's exactly the kind of junk anybody has to have handy. A ruler would have been welcome though.

Tim said...

Belated Happy Birthday as well Niall...
Hawkwind fabulous, thanks Kat[S]tinka... all's forgiven.

CHM... when you've eaten the liquorice comfits, you then have room for a tape measure and some chocolate... and the "fur" covered old Humbug from the bottom of the jacket pocket.

But there are not enough very short "might be useful" lengths of string!!

Niall & Antoinette said...

@All
Thank you for all your kind birthday wishes!
No doubt the contents of my Man Tin will morph as time goes on.

Niall