On Saturday, I will be 48 years old, it's a bit of a surprise, because I've spent most of the last year thinking I was 46. My sister Lucy pointed out that I couldn't be 50 in 2 years time if I was 46, it was a bit of shock and I felt like I'd lost a year, but I'm over that now and have fully decided to embrace the countdown and put together a list of 50 things before I'm 50.
I genuinely believe that getting older is a privilege, my parents died far too young and two of my best friends died in their 30's, so I am determined to grow old disgracefully, having as much fun as I can along the way.
I love a good celebration, sometimes Lucy and I will just look through the calendar and pick random events to celebrate. Any excuse to put up some bunting, put some crisps in a bowl, buy a Tex Mex dip pack, and switch the party lights on.
When my godchildren were little, they would never quite know what to expect when they arrived, they came over once to find that the garden was decorated in honour of Cinco de Mayo and before they knew it we had them posing in sombreos with fake cigars. In fairness Cinco de Mayo is one of our favourite holidays to celebrate.
There was once a paddling pool set up for hook-a-ducking, a rodeo bull on the driveway and a steel band in the garden complete with a limbo competition. When Meghan and Harry got married, we did an afternoon tea and wore various Royal Family masks. Nate and Eve have just learned to go with it now. I'm sure when they grow up, they'll think "what the f**k was that all about?' but for now they fully embrace it and I love them for it.
As Lucy and I think Lisa Vanderpump is a goddess, we even celebrate her birthday, complete with Real Hosuewives of Beverley Hills bunting and a lifesize Lisa Vanderpump cutout. On that day it is permissable to drink pink champagne and talk about what we'd call the swans that would live on the moat outside out house, if indeed we had a house that a moat and swans.
I started putting together my 50 Things Before 50 list a few weeks ago, so far there's 34 things on it, but things will present themselves over the next few months until I get to 50.
There's all kinds of things on there from going strawberry picking, making pasta from scratch (what could wrong there with my culinary skills?) going to the Museum of Curiosities, having afternoon tea at the Savoy, doing puppy yoga in Liverpool and eating pizza in Naples.
The only rule is that I have to do all the things between 27th July 2024 and 27th July 2026.
I have no desire to jump out of a plane or run a marathon, those things aren't my jam. I just want to do lots of fun things with people that I love and create lots of memories.
Some things are booked already, in November I'm off to the Royal Variety Performance, weather permitting I'll be doign the evening cruise in Whitby and the ghost walk. My friend Maggie is sourcing oysters and steak tartare for a fancy meal and me and my friend Jenny are off on a Barri Ghai ghost hunt at Dudley Castle, so we can fangirl!
So my lovely family and friends, take this as your warning that you're probably going to be roped into something over the next couple of years, so buckle up bitches!
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